Event careers are in high demand, and it’s easy to see why! The event industry is one of the most active and vibrant sectors, encompassing everything from lively festivals and business exhibitions to intimate occasions like weddings.
In events, no two days are the same. You’re always working towards something new and exciting, which is a significant part of the appeal. However, the benefits extend far beyond variety. The industry thrives on creativity, so there are valuable opportunities to bring your ideas to life. This is also an industry that allows you to contribute to meaningful projects and connect with like-minded professionals.
If you’re feeling inspired, read on! We explore all of the reasons why a career in events might just be perfect for you.
Exciting, Creative & Fast-Paced
📈 Over 43% of young professionals seek creativity in their work.
Too many of us have experienced the pain and frustration of a boring, dull job with little creative freedom. Events are a breath of fresh air in comparison.
Creativity is prominent throughout all facets of the industry. As an event planner, you could be sourcing venues, activities, and entertainment for a range of clients. As a project manager, you’re literally a professional problem-solver, so you’ll always be thinking outside the box. One day you could be working on a charity event, the next, a team-building retreat. The variation is endless, and that’s what makes it so enjoyable.
It’s not just that the work is diverse, but also that it’s fast-paced. When you’re always working towards the next big deadline, time really flies.
If you’re someone who has previously enjoyed marketing, design, or even roles in hospitality, there’s a good chance you’ll enjoy the event scene!
“One of my favourite aspects of the event industry is the creative freedom. In most other jobs, you don’t get to see the direct result of your work and your ideas. In the event industry, it’s completely different. Each day you see your concepts become a reality, which makes the work really rewarding.”
Tristan Head, Head of Marketing & Brand
📈 22% of employees believe they’re equally or more productive when working alongside friends, and 21% believe it makes them more creative.
Any professional will tell you that one of the best parts of the events industry is meeting other like-minded professionals. Events are multifaceted, and projects usually require many different skill sets, from entertainers and performers to photographers and sound engineers. Because of this, you often get to meet some really cool, like-minded people who understand the industry you work in and, to some extent, understand you!
Being surrounded by people who share your passion is not just good fun; it also sparks creativity and encourages you to push yourself further. You build some really great connections, which in turn lead to better collaborations and opportunities down the line. Not to mention, other industry professionals are often the best teachers: you might learn something new!
“In my other roles, I have always had to attend conferences or trade events to meet other like-minded professionals. In the events industry, it just happens so naturally. I’ve met some great friends and networked with some incredible people!”
Grace Rowan, Head of Sales & Partnerships
While meeting fellow industry professionals is invaluable, one of the most lovely parts of events is the variety of clients you get to work with. Events connect you with some amazing people from all walks of life and backgrounds. One day, you could be working with a representative of a huge charity, the next, the founder of an artisan food brand. Each of these interactions can teach you so much about a new industry, topic, or product that you may otherwise have never been introduced to!
“Working in events introduces you to such a wide range of people! You learn so much, just by the range of industries that you’re working in, and the people you’re connected with.”
Grace Rowan, Head of Sales & Partnerships
📈 70% of employees feel that their purpose is defined by their work.
One of the reasons professionals love the event industry is that they contribute to something larger than themselves, which creates a strong sense of purpose and meaning within the job.
Many other roles become demotivating over time, as the day-to-day work is so far removed from the final result. Professionals find themselves building products or services they will never actually use, and so, struggle to understand the value of their efforts. In the events industry, this is far from the reality. You’re able to see projects move from mere concepts to bold realities, creating a tangible sense of accomplishment that makes the work deeply fulfilling.
“Finishing a project is not just ‘getting something off your desk,’ it’s being part of a large-scale, complex, and heavily involved project, with countless moving parts. When you finish an event, there’s such a range of emotions. That feeling of “I did that,” paired with a sadness that it’s over. I have never known an industry more passionate about the work than events, and I think it’s down to that feeling of contributing to something meaningful and important.
We all felt this during Bournemouth 7s! Seeing everything come together was just amazing.”
Niamh O’Donnell, Head of Operations
📈 79% of Gen Z employees would like to travel for work.
Event work can take you across the globe! While not available in every role, many offer the benefit of travel. Event planning, videography, photography, and even wedding planning can often take you to some beautiful and remote locations.
As we mentioned earlier, the event industry covers a wide range of jobs. Here are just a few examples:
● Wedding Planner – (£24,000 – £29,000) – Communicating with couples, curating event style, overseeing the budget, and managing logistics.
● Event Coordinator – (£25,000 – £30,000) – Planning the event, sourcing entertainment, handling logistics, and managing staff.
● Project Manager – (£30,000 – £45,000) – Planning the project, keeping timeframes, conducting risk assessments, handling/supporting with paperwork, managing budgets, and delivering the project.
● Event Manager – (£28,000 – £55,000) – Liaising with clients, researching venues, sourcing suppliers, negotiating prices, managing contracts, leading marketing and sales strategies, handling insurance, managing logistics and event staff, and conducting post-event assessments.
● Freelance Roles – (Salaries vary) – There are countless freelance roles in the events industry, including entertainment, hospitality, food & drink, videography, and photography, all of which can offer lucrative incomes.
It’s worth noting that experts in the field could earn far beyond the rates listed.
If we managed to keep you this long, you must be quite hooked on the event industry. Let’s look at the nitty-gritty: required experience and skills.
Event professionals come from a range of backgrounds, and if you’ve worked in areas like hospitality, marketing, or even general project management, you probably already have great transferable skills. Though direct experience is great, the following characteristics are most important.
1. Creativity – As we mentioned earlier, creativity is paramount. In the industry, you’ll be presented with unexpected roadblocks, and creativity helps you find innovative solutions. Not to mention, everyone wants a unique event!
2. Organisation – Despite the value of creativity, it’s no good without effective organisational skills, attention to detail, and good time management.
3. Adaptability – As much as the event is fun, sometimes you’re thrown a curveball. Adaptability and calmness under pressure are vital for crisis management.
4. Leadership – Curating strategies and plans is one side of events, but the other is leading people to make the concepts a reality.
5. Interpersonal Skills – Clear communication and active listening skills are non-negotiable for this industry, with both staff and clients. If you’re someone who clicks with anyone, you’ll love an events career.
If you’re feeling convinced by events, but you’re not quite sure where to start, you’re in the perfect place.
Event Crowd is one of the UK’s leading event education providers, offering flexible, online event management diplomas, led by a talented pool of experts with years of real-world experience. With a wide range of courses, spanning the entire events industry, there is something for every professional at every stage of career development. Explore courses to kickstart your events career today!
Get a clear overview of our online diplomas, student stories, reviews, and a short course explainer video. Everything you need to see how Event Crowd can help you advance in the events industry.
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