Event management sounds like a glamorous job, but it requires you to be immensely hardworking, energetic, strategic and detailed oriented. Your interpersonal skills, knack for networking and openness to work on emerging technologies play a key role in making you successful as an event manager.
Here we discuss some key skills that you need to acquire or enhance to ensure a promising career as an event manager.
1. Networking
For any event manager, networking skills are a must. There is no event if there are no people attending it. So the more you network, the more successful the event will be. Networking skills are also required to put together an event. Sure there are event management, ticketing and venue booking software that make life easier for you, but you still need support of a lot of people to organize an event.
2. Be Flexible
When you are organizing an event, things will change and alter without notice. You should be flexible enough to adjust to these changes and take measures to incorporate them into your event without getting stressed out. Organizing events means being able to think while you are running around and that is what you will find yourself doing most times.
3. Have Exceptional People Skills
You will be dealing with suppliers, vendors and customers. Each person will have an opinion that could be different from yours. Not only should you have great listening skills, you also need to put your foot down when the need arises. Otherwise, you will be swept away. You would need to do all this without losing your top.
When you stay calm in a stressful situation, you will be able to pull back the reins and think logically and come up with solutions. Once you know what your client is looking for, you can work towards that goal. This could require a little digging up because at times clients can be vague about their requirements.
4. Be Creative
Hosting a successful event requires a lot of creativity. Your client may know what he wants, but may not have a clue about how to execute it. An event requires good media exposure and excellent participation. This ensures its success. However, you will have to think out-of-the-box to come up with ideas that help your client achieve these end results. And, these ideas would not only have to be practical, but also affordable. This is where your creativity will come in and save the day.
5. Be Well Organized
You will be donning several hats simultaneously. So, this will require you to be extremely organized or everything will become chaotic. Plan each step of the event seamlessly and ensure it all works as planned. Of course, there will be exceptions, but that is where your flexibility will come in and help you adapt. Armed with a checklist, you should be able to see your event through and get accolades from everyone.
6. Prioritizing Your Work
When you are organizing an event, you will find many things that will get done in the eleventh hour. That is why you need to be great at prioritizing your work and making best use of the limited time you have. If you do this, you will achieve more in a couple of hours. When you are great at time management, your team will be productive. They will know what needs to get done first before moving on to the next chore or task.
7. Keen Eye for Details
Small things can create big problems. That is why you need to have a sharp eye for details and ensure every little thing is taken care of during the event. Remember, your clients may not notice the other big things you have achieved and will harp about small things, such as missing coasters for keynote speakers. So develop your ability to check everything – both big and small – to ensure your event is a roaring success.
8. Become Tech-Savvy
Thanks to technology, there are many things that can be taken care of during the event. You can have online event management software that helps you create a checklist and ensure you can get all things done before the event. And in case your event requires a ticket, streamline and automate the process with an event ticketing software. This will allow people to buy their tickets online.
These are the qualities a successful event manager needs. If you are lacking in some qualities, then try to work on these traits to ensure a successful career.
