What does the event manager do
on everyday basis?

Event managing can be referred to creating and developing events of each dimension, from Olympics ceremony to breakfast meeting for few, selected people.

  • About the profession
  • Responsibilities
  • Pros & Cons

About the profession



Organizing events is not an easy task. Event managers, like conductors, are responsible for many things at the same time, which are needed to achieve success. Among others, event managers manage event strategies and coordinate events. They plan meetings and special events, are responsible for the execution of events in accordance with the budget, and negotiate contracts. Event managers must organize a number of services and suppliers, such as restaurants, florists, rent equipment, hotels and hire photographers. The key to success and a satisfactory end result is the appropriate management of all of the resources.

Event managers will find employment in event, public relations and marketing agencies, in corporations and travel agencies, as well as in companies specializing in lease and renting different types of facilities, for example sport facilities.

Event managers should have higher education in marketing, public relations, or in management. Event managers are also expected to possess industry knowledge and knowledge of foreign languages. Event managers should easily establish and build interpersonal relations, be open and communicative people. Event managers must be able to cope with stress and to work under the pressure of time. Creativity and resourcefulness are as important in the work of an event manager, as well as good work organization and negotiation skills.

The event industry has been constantly developing since 2000 in terms of the quality of communication. From events, to product launches with thousands of participants. It is true that every industry, company, non-profit organization, organizing committee, community, organizes events to be noticeable and recognizable; they want to build brand awareness, make money, celebrate important events, collect funds and evoke emotions. In order to perceive the profession of an event manager with regards to the reality of the contemporary national and European labor market, it is worth familiarizing oneself with the national Integrated Qualifications System and the European Qualifications Framework.

The national Integrated Qualifications System, created under the supervision of the Minister of National Education as a response to the recommendation of the European Parliament and the European Council, answers the changes in the European labor market and economy. Its goal is to increase the number of people interested in official competences and raising their qualifications. This in turn has an influence on one’s professional situation and sense of security in the labor market. The Integrated Qualifications System is to help employees with a credible presentation of their qualifications not only to employers inside the country, but also to European employers.

The point of reference for the national Integrated Qualifications System is the European Qualifications Framework. It facilitates communication and the credible comparison of qualification systems in European Union countries. As a result, students, graduates and employers have the opportunity to better understand and compare the qualifications given in different membership countries and in different educational systems.

You can find more information about the European Qualifications Framework at:
www.cedefop.europa.eu
You can find more information about the national Integrated Qualifications System at:

1. www.eacea.ec.europa.eu (England)
2. www.eacea.ec.europa.eu (Northern Ireland)
3. www.scqf.org.uk (Scotland)
4. www.eacea.ec.europa.eu (Wales)
5. www.ncchomelearning.co.uk

Responsibilities

RESEARCH

The first step into the activity of an Event manager consists in discovering the type of event to arrange, categorizing the audience and the baseline concept.

SCHEDULING

Later, we can pinpoint a planning phase to identify the event features and define a detailed scheduling for its implementation (including dates, time schedule, hypothesis for location, possible sponsors and agreements, budget to invest…).

FINANCE

Drawing up the companies financial records, complying with the provisions of the Civil Code.

ORGANIZING

The organizational core of the Event manager activity includes negotiation and relationship with suppliers and owners, but also with publicists, insurers and possible local authorities for the granting of authorizations and similar.

PROMOTING

In the end, an Event manager implements strategies and defined plans to fulfill and promote events by coordinating logistics and production.

Pros & Cons

  • Meeting interesting people
  • Team work experience
  • Experiencing new things
  • No formal education necessary
  • Own business potential
  • Travelling
  • It’s fun
  • Stressful and tiring work
  • It’s necessary sometimes to deal with difficult people
  • Recession-affected job
  • Periods of unemployment
  • Crowded job market
  • Experience required

Annual average salaries

The salary of an event manager depends mostly on:

  • Communication skills
  • Planning and organizing skills
  • Professional
    experience
  • Knowledge of foreign languages
  • Network
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Vocabulary

Typical phrases for the event manager or event dictionary

  • A la Carte

    French term which means “from the menu”. As each item is individually priced “a la Carte” menus are not usually used for larger conferences and events.
    or
    A La Carte
    Any products that can be purchased separately, as opposed to in a package.

  • Baffle

    A partition specifically constructed to control traffic, light, air, or sound.

  • B&B

    Bed and breakfast.

    DB&B

    Dinner, bed and breakfast
    Both are forms of accommodation in hotels and hostels for guests.

  • Chevron


    Setting design where the room is set with tables and/or chairs in a V-shape.

  • Day Delegate Rate (DDR)


    A day package offered to corporate customers by venues. Inclusions vary across venues, but DDRs typically include: • Use of meeting room and conference facilities, such as flip charts, pens, pads, projector and screen
    • Two servings of tea and coffee
    • Lunch

  • Herringbone Style


    Table arrangement used for dinners that will involve a speaker. Tables are placed at a diagonal pointing towards the front of the room with chairs are set on both sides and at the head of the table. The end of the table is left open so no one has their back to the speaker.

  • Press Kit


    A folder assembled for the media, usually includes press releases, product announcements and general company information.

  • Traffic Flow


    The movement of visitors through an exposition or exhibit; also how the guests will move from one area or room to another.

Educational path

An actual degree for Event managers does not exist, at the moment, but there are several academic educational paths which are appropriate to take on this profession. The most suitable degree courses to become Event manager are:


Formal path:

Business & Economics HIGH SCHOOLS
Studies in one of the fields
E.G. Public Relations, Corporate Communication, ICT, media, management.

Mastering your EM skills

It is recommended that degrees would be supported by an expertise path or a Master in Cultural Management or Marketing and Event Managing.
Therefore, Event Manager is a practical work and, in order to acquire expertise, on the job experience is needed.

You have to remember that one of the advantages of being an event manager is...
...enjoying the events! From science conferences developing your knowledge to concerts and shows that deliver you tons of entertainment, this must be fun!

Career path

Event manager, also called Convention coordinator, Festival organizer, Conference and Meeting organizer, Special event organizer and P.R., plans, organizes and coordinates conferences, conventions, meetings, seminars, assemblies, expositions, fairs, festivals and other events.

SM*FOR EM**
Advertise on YouTube
Use twitter
Organizers plan to use SM
for advertising in future
Events are advertised on facebook
*SM - Social Media
**EM - Event Manager

Where can you work?

Event managers are employed by tourism associations, professional associations, convention and conference centres, governing bodies and companies involved in event and conference managing; besides, they can work as independent contractors. Even managers coordinate logistics. In particular, they deal with budget, speakers, entertainment, means of transport, structures, technology, equipment, decoration, expositions, provisions and other logistic needs.

Personal qualities

CHECK WHAT PERSONALITY TRAITS AN EVENT MANAGER SHOULD HAVE!

  • Solid basic preparation,
    either about contents or reasoning methods
  • Planning and organizing skills
  • Very good fluency in native & foreign languages
  • Good ability in public speaking and pitching
    (fostering the encounter between the company
    and its potential market)
  • Ability to face unpredictable events
  • Strong relationship skills in order to be able
    to work in large and close-knit teams
  • Deep personal involvement & willingness
    to continual self-training
  • Critical and innovative spirit
    to see beyond what already exists
  • Knowledge of public relations and communication techniques, which are crucial to manage our interpersonal relations and our staff’s activity
  • Self-control and flexibility

Did you know...?

1. The majority (80%) of marketers believe live events are critical to their company’s success. (Bizzabo, 2017)
2. Most marketers (31%) believe that events are the single-most effective marketing channel
    over digital advertising, email marketing and content marketing. (Bizzabo, 2017)
3. 58% of event planners use online industry magazines to keep up with trends. (Bizzabo, 2016)
4. 28% of companies allocate over 20% of their marketing budget to organizing events. (Bizzabo, 2017)
LEARN MORE

Most popular words

ASAP
Deadline
Budget
Planning
Meeting

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