Weddings. Birthdays. Corporate gatherings. Holiday functions. You name the event, and your local event planner has probably heard of it all. From the venue, food to the smallest details like the custom bracelets giveaway, Event managers are the brilliant and creative minds behind every successful social gathering. As enjoyable as it seems, but the industry isn’t all fun and games.
The event management industry has changed tremendously over the years. It has undergone a paradigm shift from traditional practices to embracing newer technologies. For example, event management rental software helps event managers to organize events efficiently. However, one thing remains constant over time: the industry remained extremely tight and competitive.
It takes more effort to stay in this business. You have to have the right set of skills to polish as you go over the years. Some skills you are born with, and some you learn to develop over the years with enough experience.
What makes event managers the best at what they do? Which traits are vital for an event coordinator to thrive in the business?
Here are the ten reasons why event managers have managed to flourish in the event management industry for a long period.
Flexibility
Everything can go wrong when planning an event. We all know this from experience. No matter how organized everything seems, at the blink of an eye, things may easily go wrong. In the whole duration of the event, anything can happen. Until the event ends, you must be ready for whatever issues you might encounter.
Hence, it is essential for an event organizer to be able to face all kinds of situations without batting an eyelid. You have to be able to adapt to any given circumstance and solve whatever problems you may encounter. You have to be quick to think on your feet.
In some cases, last minute changes may occur with hardly enough time to spare. In times like this, the event manager needs to be able to go with the flow or alter its course.
Resourcefulness
No matter how much you’ve planned for an event, something might pop up. During these times, you have to know how to utilize the available resources at your disposal. Torn streamers? Nothing that a little bit of crepe paper can’t fix. Dysfunctional party poppers? Cut up some colored paper, and you’re ready to go.
Make do and mend.
Tech-savvy
Event planners juggle between different activities throughout the day. Fortunately enough, we live in the modern age and technology is an ever-present tool in our lives. Various computer software and mobile applications specialize in online event management and venue management.
Every event manager also needs to have the technical knowledge to be able to hold his or her own when resources are unavailable. Especially when starting an event management firms, where you may have to cater your flyer printing, brochure printing, marketing, and advertising needs.
Time-management
As Albert Einstein said, “Plans are nothing, planning is everything.” An event manager’s day is always logged onto a journal or typed into their mobile phones. Your activities are coordinated, from the time you wake up to the moment you go to sleep.
A good event planner plays his or her days and the team schedules ahead of time, to avoid conflicting timetables. Event managers need to stay on top of the game because they know which things to prioritize first.
Confidence in Their Skills
Every event creatives keep their portfolio consisting of calling cards, albums of events, video documentation, invitations, and the like. Some event managers have their website portfolio where potential clients can look through and avail their services.
Strut your stuff. Own what you do.
Excellent Communication Skills
An event manager spends most of his or her time working with his team and with other people to guarantee an event’s success. Developing your interpersonal skills becomes a necessity at this point. Managers should be able to communicate with the people they work with efficiently.
A Keen Eye for Detail
The fine line between the good and the great is an eye for detail. Event planners are known to look after all of the essential elements, be it coordinating with the venue, sound checking all audio equipment, making sure the lighting fixtures work, corresponding with the caterers, the custom bracelets souvenirs and most of all, keeping track of the expenses.
After looking at the bigger picture, it all boils down to making the smaller pieces fit.
Passion-driven
Of course, to be an event organizer, you have to be passion-driven with every creative fiber in your body. In a stressful and demanding work environment, you and your team can often feel drained, even exasperated at times. During these times, your passion for your work can save you from creative blocks.
If you love what you do, you’ll be able to overcome whatever hurdles may come your way. Or at least look for ways to conquer them.
Constructive Criticism is Always Welcome
Let’s face it. We can’t always please everybody. No matter how much you’ve planned and made sure the event would go as smoothly as it could. Some clients will always have a thing or two to criticize about your work.
Fret not! Instead, you should take their criticism as a tool for improving your repertoire of skills and further hone them to create bigger and better events.
Takeaway
Managing events is not a piece of cake! There are no secrets to uncover, no foolproof guarantees. Successful event managers are spontaneous and unpredictable, and they can always manage to turn the tides in their direction and make them work in their favor when things don’t go as planned using whatever tools they have at their feet.
These traits are what makes the event creative excel in their field. Always keep a good head on your shoulders, and you’re one step closer to becoming a successful event planner.
Author Credits
Sabahat Akhter is the Project Manager for leading printing companies producing promotional advertising products. She has experience in Data Management and Products Quality Assurance. QA and large scale production workflows are her expertise.
