Event Planner



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LinkedIn is a good way of finding contacts within the industry, or you could try making targeted, speculative applications to companies.

Event Planner/ Management

Event managers plan and organise promotional, business and social events. They're responsible for running a range of events, ensuring the target audience is engaged and the message of the event is marketed properly. Events play a huge part in the success of a brand or an organisation.

As an event manager, you'll organise conferences, seminars and exhibitions, as well as parties and corporate incentive trips.

You'll manage the whole process from the planning stage, right through to running the event and carrying out the post-event evaluation. The role is primarily hands-on and often involves working as part of a team.

Different types of event planning roles

There are generally three types of event planning roles:

1. In-House Event Planner

An in-house Event Planner role may involve organising internal conferences and customer-facing events for one specific company. It may also involve organising the company presence and booth at exhibitions throughout the year.

2. Agency-Side Event Planner

An Event Planner who works for an agency will often work for lots of different clients, on many different events throughout the year. These could include festivals, roadshows, conferences or pop ups. The role of an agency Event Planner is often fast-paced and not for the faint-hearted as it is orientated around pleasing the client (usually a brand) so that they can appeal to their customer (the end user).

3. Event Company Event Planner

This type of Event Planner will work for an event organiser. Well-known event organisers in the UK are Centaur and Media 10 who organise exhibitions such as Grand Designs Live and Marketing Week. Sometimes an exhibition Event Planner will be in charge of just one exhibition that they’ll work on all year round (such is the scale!), or they may work on a portfolio of exhibitions under the same sector.

Qualifications

Although you don't need a specific degree subject to become an event manager, a degree or HND in event management, hotel or catering management, leisure and tourism, marketing or business may be useful. Employers are much more interested in your skills, personal qualities and experience in the industry.

You don't need a degree to become an events manager and you can work your way up from an assistant position, gaining experience as you progress. It may be useful to take the Level 2 Certificate in Event Planning, although not essential.

There is no typical route to becoming an event manager and most organisations will recruit as vacancies arise.

Some people move into event management from related areas such as marketing, hospitality, PR or arts administration.

You can take a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in:

  • events management

  • marketing

  • communications


University course examples:

https://aub.ac.uk/course/creative-events-management

https://www.canterbury.ac.uk/study-here/courses/events-management


How to become an Event Planner

Once you’ve determined that event planning is the right career for you and you’ve built a portfolio of event experience, here’s how to start a career in event planning.


1. Choose your preferred event planning role

As we mentioned above, there are three different types of event planning roles; in-house, agency and event company. Determining which type you think will best suit your skills will help you to refine the types of jobs you want to apply for.


2. Follow event companies and seek experience

One of the best ways to identify opportunities and stay up to date with event industry trends is to follow the companies and Event Managers who are leading the way. Social media channels like Twitter and Instagram are great sources of information, as are industry blogs and case study examples. Jobs are often posted on a company’s own social media channel before going on a job board, so this may give you the chance to apply early – and win the role.


3. Build your portfolio

Whether you have a degree in Event Management or not, one thing is certain: you will need experience. Take the time to build up examples of your support within an event, whether that’s volunteering at a Christmas shelter, or helping your local tennis club to set up their annual awards night.


4. Speak to industry experts

Going to exhibitions and conferences within the events industry is a great way to build connections. Often, speakers at an event will provide an opportunity to ask questions, or offer one-to-one meetings with attendees after they’ve presented. This is the perfect time to introduce yourself, ask a question or two and even leave your CV or business card onsite for future opportunities.


5. Apply for a job

Review industry job boards and individual company websites to find details of career opportunities that may suit your level of experience. Once you’ve found the right job for you, send in your application, highlighting any relevant experience and qualifications first. Generally, you can expect to hear from interested companies within a week or two.

Taken from https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/blog/how-to-become-an-event-planner-ds00/

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