Event organiser

 

 
 

What is an event organiser?

An event organiser is responsible for planning and carrying out events, making sure they run as smoothly as possible. It’s a very practical and hands-on job.

The types of events might include…

  • Conferences, meetings and workshops
  • Exhibitions and fairs
  • Product launches and promotions
  • Fundraising events
  • Festivals, concerts and sporting events
  • Private parties such as weddings

What sort of tasks would I be doing?

 

 


Lots of the work takes place before the event such as…

  • Researching and visiting locations for events
  • Marketing and promotion for an upcoming event
  • Managing budgets, keeping track of income and expenditure
  • Planning the catering and booking speakers for events
  • Ensuring health and safety and security at events

During the event, you would have to be on hand to ensure everything runs smoothly and to deal with any problems.

What qualifications would I need?

There are no set qualifications that you will need to become an event organiser but studying one of the following could be really helpful at giving you some key skills and will look great to employers:

  • The Diploma in hospitality or the Diploma in travel and tourism
  • EDI Level 2 and 3 National Awards in live events and promotion
  • EDI Level 2 Certificate in event planning
  • EDI Level 3 Diploma in event management
  • NCFE Level 2 Certificate in event planning and Level 3 in event management.

Most of these courses would have some work experience with it which will give you a great start into the industry.

Having some work experience will also be really helpful. Google some events firms in your area and send over a letter saying why you want to work in events with them and enclose your CV. You might get the chance to help organise or work at an event. Even if they don’t have any positions available now they may do in the future and sending in your CV will show initiative. If you can’t find any events firms, work experience in a customer service role would be great too. Have a look for any of the following in your area:

  • Hotels
  • Travel agencies
  • Marketing agencies
  • Anything that involves customer service
 

Would I suit it?

Are you...

  • Able to work well under pressure?
  • Well organised?
  • Energetic?
  • Creative?
  • Happy working with a wide range of people?

Career prospects

People usually start off as assistant events co-ordinator or organiser. With more experience you could become an event organiser or co-ordinator. From there it may be possible to progress to event manager. Further progress would be to director level.

When you have lots of experience in events you could set up your own events company of even work abroad with an international event management company.

 

 Where can I go for more information?
 

With lots of experience in events you could set up your own events company or even work abroad!

 

 

 

Have a look at the following magazines for more information about the industry and job vacancies:

• Conference & Incentive Travel
• Conference News
• Event
• Exhibition Bulletin
• Exhibition News
• Meetings & Incentive Travel

It’s worth keeping an eye on the jobs pages in your local paper and in the national papers as they will sometimes have vacancies in events firms.

Have a look at the following websites for more information about the industry:

Also have a look at the uksp website which has information on jobs and training in the hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism industry.

 

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