How Event Managers Create Events

Contents

• Who is an event manager?
• When did event management appear? Let's look at the history
• What does an event manager do?
• Soft and hard skills
• From Apple conferences to the World Cup. What events do event agencies organize?
• How to become an event manager. Useful resources from the Skillbox.by editorial team

Who is an Event Manager

In the modern world, event organization has become an integral part of life. From promotions, presentations, and weddings to grand corporate conferences and music festivals, events surround us everywhere. However, few people think about how all these events appear out of nowhere and why they take place with such coherence. This magic is created by an event manager - a professional with unique skills and abilities that help him create unforgettable experiences.

Events have become an integral part of business strategies. Companies have discovered new opportunities that help promote products and strengthen corporate culture. Well-organized events can impact the success of any brand. Companies turn to event managers for help in organizing conferences, trainings, seminars, forums, and exhibitions, realizing that this is a way to impress clients and partners. Events also play an important role in the cultural life of society. Music festivals, exhibitions, and sporting events bring people together, stimulate development, and add variety to everyday life. And these are far from a complete list of examples.

The event industry is constantly evolving — experts predict annual growth rates of around 3.9% This is due to the increase in the number of events, their scale and significance.

When did event management emerge? Understanding the history

Event management originated in the mid-20th century, although its history goes back to ancient times. Let's take a closer look at some historical examples.

• Humanity organized its first events and celebrations in ancient times. For example, the ancient Greeks and Romans held holidays and festivals dedicated to the gods and other important events. Some are still popular thousands of years later. For example, the Olympic Games.
• In the Middle Ages, kings and aristocrats used celebrations to strengthen their status and entertain the people.
• With the Industrial Revolution and the growth of business in the 19th century, commercial events such as exhibitions and fairs began to be held on a massive scale. From about this point on, society needed a specialist who could organize all of this. At that time, this role was performed by peddlers and barkers, turning the process of selling goods into a whole performance.
• In the 20th century, the event industry became professional and structured. With the advent of television and mass media, there was a need for specialists who could organize large-scale events. Particular attention then began to be paid to marketing and promotion.
• With the development of technology and the growth of the global economy, the industry acquired a global scale. Professional event planning agencies began to offer a full range of services - from concept and planning to marketing and budget management. This made the organization and promotion of events more accessible and effective. At the same time, the online events and live streaming segment has begun to actively develop.
• Modern technological solutions in the form of virtual and augmented reality have begun to improve the visual and interactive aspects of events. Today, events are becoming more personalized and interactive. The industry continues to evolve and adapt to rapidly changing conditions. Therefore, the event management profession remains relevant and dynamic, attracting those who strive to create unique and unforgettable events in the modern world.

What does an event manager do?

An event manager solves many problems at different stages of organizing an event. He can be compared to a conductor who directs an orchestra. Let's take a closer look at what this specialist does at each stage of the project.

• Initiation and planning.At this stage, the event manager defines the goals and objectives of the event, develops a budget and schedule. His work begins with a meeting with the client to fully understand their goals, wishes and budget. This allows for the formulation of the concept of the event.
• Preparation and execution.This stage includes choosing a venue for the event, selecting contractors, working with decorations and equipment, as well as managing personnel during the event, logistics and monitoring expenses.
• Control and evaluation.After the event, the specialist analyzes the results and compares them with the set goals. Prepares an event report, including a cost analysis and recommendations for future projects.

In general, the entire event organization process requires constant interaction with the client. The specialist must ensure transparent communication, regularly inform the client about the progress of tasks, and take their wishes into account. Another task is effective budget management. The specialist must be able to allocate resources in such a way as to maintain a balance between the quality of the event and budget constraints.

Soft and hard skills

The work of an event manager is a real art that requires a combination of different personal qualities (soft skills) and professional skills (hard skills). Let's take a closer look at the skills you need to develop to succeed in this field.

Soft Skills:

• Teamwork.A manager works with a variety of people, including clients, contractors, and team members. The ability to listen, communicate, and coordinate actions is important for successful collaboration, especially with representatives of creative professions.
• Organizational skills.The ability to effectively plan and manage time, resources, and tasks is an integral part of the profession.
• Stress Resistance.Events can be unpredictable, and situations often require instant decisions. The ability to remain calm and make decisions on the fly is an important quality.
• Creativity.Creative thinking and the ability to come up with unique ideas for events allow you to stand out from similar events.

Hard Skills:

• Project planning and management. Mastering these methods allows a manager to effectively organize events.
• Knowledge of the industry and trends. Understanding the event industry, knowledge of the latest trends and technologies are important to stay relevant and competitive.
• Budgeting. It is important to be able to create and manage event budgets, optimize costs without sacrificing quality, in order to be among the first in the competitive race.
• Technical skills.Knowledge of the technical equipment (sound or lighting) used at events, its capabilities, is necessary for successful organization.
• Marketing and Promotion.Understanding the basics of marketing and the ability to promote events are important for attracting clients and guests.

From Apple conferences to the World Cup. What events are organized by event agencies

In the modern world, newsworthy events noticed by the masses arise almost weekly, if not more often. However, 99% are forgotten after a month or two. Another matter is grandiose events, which were helped by the best experts in the event industry - they are remembered by the public for a long time.

• FIFA World Cup. Organizing this event is a challenge for every host country, requiring a high degree of professionalism and cooperation with many stakeholders. The Organizing Committee, government and city leaders. Event management teams plan and coordinate processes - from infrastructure preparation and budget management to marketing and sponsorship. Their work plays a key role in creating a unique and unforgettable sporting experience, attracting global attention and promoting tourism and the economy of the host country.
• The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.This marriage was one of the most anticipated events of 2018. The wedding organization by the event management team became an excellent example of professionalism and the ability to work under strict protocols.
• Apple WWDC Conference.Every year Apple holds the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), where the company presents the latest products and technologies. These conferences are among the most anticipated and attended events in the IT world. Apple event managers create an atmosphere of anticipation and intrigue, which makes WWDC a unique and successful event.

How to become an Event Manager. Useful resources from the editors of Skillbox.by

The event industry requires a creative approach and the ability to quickly respond to changing events. Here's how to get started in event management:

• Get educated and gain professional skills.Consider attending a university or college. Distance learning courses may be an alternative. When choosing any course, we recommend paying attention to the relevance of the programs and the ability to build a portfolio.
• Get certified.Professional certifications such as Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) or Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP) will help strengthen your resume.
• Gain experience. Complete an internship at an event company or agency. You will gain valuable experience and make contacts in the industry. You can even participate in large events on a volunteer basis. This will help you understand how everything is organized from the inside.
• Create a portfolio.Save photos, event programs, client reviews, and other materials that can be useful when presenting your work to potential employers.
• Develop your own style and approach. Develop your creativity and constantly look for new ways to create unique events. You can specialize in certain events. Weddings, corporate events, or conferences.

To get to know the profession better, the editors of Skillbox.by have prepared useful resources.

Literature:

• Gleb Arkhangelsky "Time Drive" - ​​practical advice on organizing events, taking into account time management aspects.
• Suren Baghdasaryan, Marina Selivanova "What an Event Planner Thinks About" - a guide describes the basics of organizing events and gives an idea of ​​\u200b\u200bhow to create your own agency.
• Immelman Raymond "Incomparable Boss: Useless Boss" - a business book in the form of a novel. The author tells how to create a thriving company and how to properly interact with each cog in a single mechanism.

Professional communities:

• Qtickets is a professional blog where cases and useful tips from experienced managers are regularly published.
• «Sell tickets like God» — a community in Telegram with feedback. There you will find not only a lot of useful information, but also potential partners or customers.

Author's methods:

• Event talk with Katya Sichkar — the author of the YouTube channel in his videos tells how to organize any event and shares professional secrets.