If you are on social media, you have most likely seen the excitement around the concerts being organized in India. Do you wonder what goes behind planning and organizing an event like Diljit Dosanjh’s or Coldplay’s Concert? Or how meticulously were the events in the Ambani Wedding planned?
If you have good organizational skills and want to turn your love for planning into a career, event management jobs can be the right career option for you.
Event management includes planning & organizing high-profile corporate events, award shows, product launches, concerts, and celebrity weddings. The industry is rapidly growing, with an increasing demand for skilled & talented professionals.
This article will take you through some of the most rewarding jobs that can help you kickstart your career.
Why Choose a Career in Event Management?
If you are in a dilemma about a career in event management, don’t worry, it offers lots of high-paying and diverse opportunities & is a popular choice of career around the world.
- You can take on a variety of projects based on your interests and skill set.
- Events such as fashion shows, music festivals, and weddings require event management professionals for planning & execution.
- This is a stimulating profession where there are always fresh challenges and opportunities to grow.
- Working in this industry will broaden your horizons and improve your planning, budgeting, client management, and problem-solving abilities.
If you enjoy a fast-paced environment at work and are confident in your multitasking skills, choose a career in event management for a fulfilling career.
Essential Skills to Work in Event Management
Wondering what skills do you need in this industry? Here’s a checklist for you –
- Working with diverse clients, vendors, & suppliers and organizing a large-scale event means encountering unexpected challenges. The presence of mind and problem-solving skills are great for overcoming logistical and creative challenges at an event.
- Good communication skills are crucial for coordinating with team members, venue staff, vendors, and suppliers and ensuring client satisfaction.
- Well-managed finances and high-quality services while staying on budget are key to customer satisfaction and profitable business. Budgeting is one of the most essential skills you must master in the industry.
- Refine your multi-tasking & organizing skills for all the coordination with venue, logistics, vendors, and your teams.
- A career in event management means you will work closely with the clients and maintain good customer relations. You will coordinate accommodations for guests, communicate with caterers, and oversee the hospitality part of any event.
- Every event is unique. Flexibility, versatility, and adjusting to different places and situations while delivering a premium experience make event management jobs interesting.
- Project management tools, budgeting & digital ticketing software, live-streaming tools, and knowledge of A-V technology for an immersive & interactive experience are great for enhancing digital proficiency while meeting industry standards.
Do Skills Influence Your Career in Event Management?
Event management is a skill-oriented industry. Soft skills – communication & problem-solving are essential for effectively sharing ideas and building client relationships. It makes smooth execution possible, maximizing profits and credibility.
Technical and digital skills like budgeting or knowledge of relevant software streamline the planning and execution processes and foster revenue growth.
Cultivating these skills makes the events you organize successful and enhances your career prospects.
What Does an Event Planner Do?
Have you ever planned a birthday party? Do you plan how to decorate the house, what food to serve, where will your guests be seated, and what will be the duration of the party?
- Event planners pick the venue, create the overall look, and decide on services and the food menu.
- They coordinate with vendors, decorators & in-house teams.
- They also manage the costs and make sure everything goes smoothly on the day of the event.
How Do I Become a Wedding Planner?
When you think about wedding planning, do you instantly think of Tara and Karan from Made in Heaven or Shruti and Bittoo from Band Baaja Baaraat?
Wedding planning involves understanding client preferences, crafting design concepts and aesthetics, adhering to budget constraints, and ensuring a truly memorable experience for couples on their special day.
- A wedding planner manages logistics and works closely with various internal teams, vendors, decorators, and caterers.
- They choose the venue, brainstorm innovative concepts, and plan the wedding’s overall design.
- Overseeing decor and lighting design and ensuring timely execution are integral to the job.
If you’re aiming for a career in this field, specializing in wedding planning could be an option you can consider. Enrolling in a diploma program or an online/offline certification course in wedding planning is a great way to begin.
If you already have a degree in event management or are pursuing one at the moment, look for internship opportunities in wedding planning and management to expand your portfolio & get a glimpse of the industry.
What Does an Event Marketing Specialist Do?
Event marketing specialists create promotional campaigns, publish relevant content on social media platforms, engage with potential attendees, and optimize the digital tools to increase the visibility & reach of the event.
They collaborate with sponsors, notable guests, and customers to make the event a cohesive and rich experience for everyone.
Post-event evaluations, including analyzing the success rate & impact of the event are crucial in event marketing. Specialists look at the number of attendees, ticket sales, reach, and engagement and create elaborate reports to plan future strategies.
What Are Some High-Paying Careers in Event Management?
Before you begin your journey in event management, you must be aware of the different career opportunities in the industry.
Here are a few high-paying jobs that you can look into.
1) Event manager
Average Salary – ₹ 8-12 LPA
Key Responsibilities – Planning & Organizing an event, Budget & Logistics Management, Customer Relations, Vendor Management, and Overseeing event execution.
2) Event Planner
Average Salary – ₹5-10 LPA
Key Responsibilities – Planning an Event, Logistics management, Budgeting, Understanding Client requirements, and Overseeing event execution.
3) Wedding Planner
Average Salary – ₹6-15 LPA
Key Responsibilities – Concept development & design, venue selection, understanding client requirements, Scheduling, and coordination, Planning the events, Handling invitations and guest receptions, and Managing Finance.
4) Venue Manager
Average Salary – ₹7-12 LPA
Key Responsibilities – Operation & staff management, Event coordination, Managing finances, Ensuring safety & security, Venue promotion & marketing, Overseeing on-site planning and execution.
5) Fashion Show Manager
Average Salary – ₹5-15 LPA
Key Responsibilities – Planning & coordinating the event, Logistics management & staff coordination, Concept development, Budgeting, Promotions & Marketing, and On-site management.
6) Sponsorship Coordinator
Average Salary – ₹5-10 LPA
Key Responsibilities – Researching & creating a database for potential sponsors, Outreach, Developing proposals, Negotiating deals, Budget management, and Maintaining healthy professional relationships with sponsors.
7) Event Social Media Coordinator
Average Salary – ₹6.5-10 LPA
Key Responsibilities – Developing social media strategy, Content planning & creation, Scheduling posts, Promotion & Advertising, Engaging with followers, Monitoring Metrics, and Maintaining a positive brand image online
8) Marketing Manager
Average Salary – ₹7-13 LPA
Key Responsibilities – Working on Marketing & advertisement strategies, Managing teams, Supervising Market Research, and Planning content strategies.
Tips for Career Growth in Event Management?
Keeping up with the event management industry requires learning new skills, being aware of new trends, and always watching out for better opportunities –
- Internships provide industry exposure, enhance your skills, and add to your resume.
- Volunteering at events will give you valuable insights and help you learn the intricacies of what goes on behind the scenes.
- Assisting Event Planners will let you experience a variety of events and understand client relationships. This hands-on experience will let you pick up valuable tips and tricks from professionals while also giving you the chance to start building your network in the industry.
- Through networking, you can make valuable connections within the industry. It’s also a great way to get referrals and know the latest trends. Make the most of industry events and utilize social media platforms to engage with other professionals in your field.
- Seek out profitable job opportunities in event management. Keep an eye out for positions that match your expertise, send out emails, and connect with recruiters by sending over a compelling portfolio and cover letter to increase your chances of landing high-paying roles.
How to Build a Strong Portfolio?
A strong portfolio is essential in finding clients and reaching out to recruiters. It can showcase your skills & talent and provide a peek into your style of work.
Here is what you need to keep in mind while creating a portfolio –
- Include different projects to show how versatile & adaptable you are.
- Write concept notes to provide a clear idea about your work.
- Add testimonials to emphasize your credibility and reputation.
- Add a human touch by adding behind-the-scenes pictures and design & ideation processes.
Educational Requirements for Event Management Jobs
Here are some courses we have shortlisted to help kickstart your career –
1) B.A./B.Sc/BBA – Event Management
Duration – 3-4 Years
Focus – Planning & Organizing events, managing finance, managing logistics, Marketing & promotions, and PR.
2) Bachelor of Tourism & Event Management
Duration – 3-4 Years
Focus – Fundamentals of event management & planning, Handling large-scale corporate & tourism events and organizing festivals, Logistics & Finance management, Marketing & promotions, and PR.
3) M.A. in PR and Events
Duration – 2 Years
Focus – Creative Planning, Event Design, Marketing & Promotions, and Outreach & PR.
4) M.Sc/M.A./MBA in Event management
Duration – 2 Years
Focus – Research in event management, advanced marketing techniques in event management, advanced planning strategies, Understanding event technology & Global event management.
5) M.A. in Sports Event Management
Duration – 2 Years
Focus – Planning and organizing sports events, Finance & Logistics management, and PR.
Do I Need to Pursue a Formal Course to Work in Event Management?
The event management industry values skills and experience. So, it is not compulsory that you get a relevant degree. But a structured course can always help you get ahead of the curve and access some of the best opportunities.
A professional degree gives you the skills and resources you need to start your career. It also opens up ways to network & find internships and boosts your chances of success in your field.
However, if you don’t want to opt for a full-time degree course, short-term diplomas in event management and online certification courses can help with enhancing your skills and getting industry insights.
Conclusion
If you are researching career prospects and event management jobs, you are halfway there. This is the first (and a big) step.
The event management industry has witnessed immense growth in the past few years. With the popularity of virtual events and the industry opting for a more tech-driven approach, there are now a variety of high-paid jobs available.
From wedding planning, and venue & catering management to event manager, sponsorship coordinator, PR manager, and social media coordinator – there are a plethora of career options.
You can consider enrolling in a course to learn all the skills you need to excel in your professional journey & kickstart your career in event management.
Check out AAFT University’s School of Advertising, PR, and Events for degree and diploma in event management programs that are designed to help you get ahead of the curve and make an impact in the industry.