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Where to Start?

So you’ve decided you want to work in events? You’re outgoing, organised, methodical and resourceful and looking for a career with plenty of variety, challenge and job satisfaction. So where do you start? And who employs event managers anyway?

One way of narrowing down your search is to decide which industry sector most appeals to you.

Agencies

Big brands will often outsource their events to agencies which create, plan, produce and execute events on behalf of these paying clients. Agency work is competitive and sales driven but offers the opportunity to be creative. Event Management agencies constantly need to chase clients for new business and need to offer unique and original solutions to stand out from the competition.

Many of the larger event agencies do their recruitment through specialist event recruitment agencies, but considering this is a service they have to pay for it’s always better to recruit directly. One extensive (albeit expensive) resource for finding event agencies is the White Book.

Not for Profit

For not-for-profit organisations such as charities, events form an integral part of their marketing communication and fundraising tools. Gala dinners, auctions, golf days and concerts are all effective ways to promote the organisation, spread its message and raise badly needed funds for the cause in question. Think of any major charity in the UK and almost all will have an events department.

Simply Google their website, search around for the careers section and you’ll usually find an email address for employment enquiries. Alternatively Third Sector Recruitment is a specialist jobs board for Charities and Not-for-Profit organisations.

Associations

Most industry sectors have a membership association which protects its best interests, and some sectors have many. Whether it be the BOA (British Olympic Association), the AEO (Association of Exhibition Organisers) or SEMI (the Association representing the SEMI Conductor industry), members of industry associations such as these are entitled to benefits like training, legal representation, insurance, employment opportunities and invites to specially organised industry events.

Event managers working within an association may be required to organise networking events, exhibitions, conferences, seasonal get-togethers and fundraisers. If you have a background in another profession, working as an event manager for the association which represents that profession maybe a great way to combine your skills and experience and work for a movement you believe in.

Commercial Conferencing

Commercial conferencing companies research and develop highly focused subjects around which a conference is built. These may include finance, defence, automotive, logistics and many more. A program of specialist industry speakers is compiled and revenue is generated through tickets sales, sponsorship and the sale of space at the exhibitions which usually accompany the event.

In-House

Some event managers work in-house at large companies responsible for the planning and execution of all events for that organisation. In some cases the in-house event manager will work along side an agency on the production of their events. These event managers are often marketing professionals for whom event management is just one aspect of their role.

Venues

Whether it’s a hotel, conference centre, football stadium or museum, almost every venue has an event manager. Although the setting stays the same, working venue-side will put you in touch with clients from all of the above sectors who hire your venue to stage a variety of events. Customer service and unlimited patience is a must as you work tirelessly to keep your clients happy.

And Finally

There other kinds of companies which recruit event managers which are not discussed here, but when perusing the jobs boards of event management websites, most vacancies will fall into one of the above.

When searching for an event management job (something that was difficult enough prior to the economic downturn), now more importantly than ever your search needs to be targeted and decisive. If you’re searching for your first event job, you need to know what you’re looking for and why? And why your skills are best suited to that role.

Tariq El Kashef is a tour and events organiser and editor of the Event Manager’s Career Guide: www.eventmanagementpeople.co.uk