Conference & Event Management

Conferences and events play an important role in motivating tourism. They attract tourists to visit a country or specific venue for festivals, celebrations or concerts. MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) tourism is also important to the tourism industry, as it attracts large groups to the country.

Event Managers plan, organise and promote events for individual or corporate clients. They are required to be involved in conceptualising, designing, planning and executing events, and sometimes may also be required to market events for their clients.

This can be considered a rather glamorous job because once you are looked upon as an expert, you will be sought out by some of the biggest names. If you are working for a hotel, resort or other establishment in the tourism sector, being an Events Manager means that you will have to interact with high-profile guests.

Job Roles

There are generally only two positions in this niche profession, either you are the Assistant Manager or the Manager itself.  An Event Manager’s role can vary depending on the company and industry they work in. Event Managers are solely responsible for planning, organising, executing and coordinating an event. Even if there is an entire team supporting the manager, eventually it is the manager’s responsibility to ensure that everything works to plan. Event Managers work closely with clients, event suppliers and venue mangers.

Job Description

• Understand the details of each event and the specific requirements of the client
• Book venue, suppliers, contractors and entertainers and coordinate with them for a successful event
• Prepare an event budget and work within it
• Undertake all coordination efforts on the day of event and ensure smooth execution
• Solve problems and adapt to sudden changes that may arise
• Evaluate the event and submit reports and detailed invoices to client

Career Progression

The most common positions within this field are Assistant Manager and Manager, both of which are executive positions. There is no clear path of progression, apart from progressing from a junior position to a senior one. However, you can also progress from a small scale event company to a large scale one. You could alternatively start your own event company once you have a significant number of years of experience.

Knowledge & Skills

In addition to experience, you also need to have Ordinary Level qualifications to embark on a career in this field. As most employers are more interested in your skills, personality and experience, you don’t need a degree qualification for this role. If you want to improve your prospects, having a degree or diploma/higher national diploma in event management, public relations, marketing, hotel or catering management, or leisure and tourism will definitely help.

Skills

• Strong communication and coordination skills
• Flexible, efficient and proactive
• Close attention to detail
• Good interpersonal skills
• Ability to negotiate with venues and suppliers for best rates
• Ability to work to time and to work under pressure
• Problem solving skills
• Managing budgets
• Sales and marketing skills

Hiring Process

If you are applying for a job at an event management company, you might be interviewed by the Human Resources Manager and Managing Director, but if you are applying at a hotel, you would likely be interviewed by a panel of Managers. They will each test you on various areas. Any relevant experience, either paid or voluntary, and knowledge is essential to break into this field. If you have assisted with organising events at school, you could use it to your advantage. If you are still pursuing your higher education qualification make the most of your time by organising events for your university, for charities or other organisations and clubs you have links with. Experience in the hospitality industry or in a sales, marketing or customer service role is also useful.

Salary Scale

If you are employed at a hotel, event management company, conference centre, large commercial organisation, event venue, advertising or public relations company, public attractions and so on, your salary would start at Rs.35,000. If you are employed by a hotel you could get a generous percentage of the service charge as well.