Skills of an event manager

It’s never easy to be an event manager. You’ll find yourself glued to your computer, trying to answer an endless stream of emails. The next day, you’ll manage backstage meltdowns, equipment failures and random requests. We’ve done it all. And with great success, I might add. Despite the stress, you love your job and never lose heart.

You can keep calm even under pressure. It’s not that difficult. This is until someone asks a seemingly innocent question or makes a well-intentioned statement.

Let’s be light-hearted and in good faith, and let’s take a look at some statements and questions that can rile even the most well-intentioned Event Managers!

“Your job seems so glamorous!”

Events are glamorous on the surface. It is to a certain extent. It’s possible to travel to incredible destinations, eat in Michelin-starred restaurants, stay at 5* Luxury Conference Hotels, and even meet celebrities. You’re probably very busy, so most of your time is spent planning and running events. Your time is most likely spent planning and at the computer. How does your “glamorous” event get organized? You’re probably working all day and every day for 95%. Forbes lists Event Management as one of the 6 most stressful jobs.

This brings me to …

“You look stressed”

My clients/suppliers don’t know or see how stressed I am. However, my family and friends are able to see through it, apparently. We are likely to be stressed if we look stressed. Don’t tell them. Unless you really want to hear a five-minute rant about how much we have done with a deadline of… yesterday. All good Event Managers can thrive on stress so it’s a little backhanded compliment.

“The lastminute bedroom rate is less than your quote”

Websites like lastminute.com list rooms that are either the last available rooms or hotels with very few bookings. These rooms are usually non-cancellable, cannot be booked in groups, and don’t include breakfast. ).

The lastminute.com rate is higher than ours because 1) you’re booking a large number of rooms and 2) the Revenue Manager must meet a minimum standard. 3) You can get more rooms 4) You can get upgrades 5) You can create a group code so that guests can book their accommodation. 6) All rates are the same.

“You’re looking…..well”

Yes, I know I have eaten too many Bagels in the last few months. It’s been proven clinically that stress can lead to weight gain. That’s what I believe. F&B is the core of Events. You won’t be able to enjoy the wine and free food at events if you aren’t enjoying the finest sweets or networking trips. Unknowingly, you are unknowingly rummaging through a bag of Maltesers at work, hoping that it will give you the energy boost that you need.

This is what I refer to as “snack accidental weight loss”.

Challenge: Show me one person who is lighter than they were when they first started in this industry.

“Can you plan my (kids) birthday party?”.

While we would all love to help a friend and say “yes”, it is not realistic. Unfortunately, we have too many responsibilities and don’t have the time. This is a compliment, but it’s not meant to be. You make my job seem easy! Personally, I try to give advice and support wherever I can. Maybe even help with the bunting.

“What do you do actually?” You can plan parties strong>.

No, not parties Corporate Events Management is for high-end clients with big budgets and a lot of responsibility and pressure! The real question is “What don’t we do?”

It is important to include more in our job descriptions. While we are able to think ahead 10 steps and manage multiple events at once, respond to ad-hoc requests, be in more than one place at a given time, and make visions become reality, we can also serve as an on-site IT technician (fixing clients tech), or a tailor (always have some safety pins!). We can also be a concierge (bring your trolley!) and a translator (yes, we have all tried to learn a foreign language while running events! In case you didn’t know, we are also Batman.

These are the top questions Event Managers ask that really ruffle their feathers!