Building A Career In The Event Industry (Part 1)

“I wish that I knew what I know now when I was younger”
- The Faces

This post is, the first in a series about building a career in the event industry - it’s aimed at event management students and others planning to work in events. I’ve tried to think about, and include the things that I know now, which I think would have helped me when trying to get into the industry.

Building A Career in the Event Industry:
Part 1:Types of Jobs and Organisations in the Event Industry
Part 2: Aspects of Working in Events
Part 3: Ways into the Event Industry

Part 1: Types of Jobs and Organisations in the Event Industry
The event industry is really not as black and white as event organiser, or not. When I started working in events I was surprised by the wide variety of job roles in the industry. For example the company I work for is an event company and it makes money by organising events for people and companies. However, only half of the people in the company actually organise the events, the rest don’t, their expertise range from marketing and product development to finance and IT, but they all still work in the event industry.

I assumed that when I left University I would be an events manager, organising and managing events for a living. I had no idea that job roles, such as product development managers existed in the event industry, so I would suggest looking for a variety of roles in the industry that interest you, and find out what they involve.

To help with this, I selected a range of event-related videos from the career website icould, where you get a glimpse in the lives of people who work for different organisations, doing different jobs in the event industry. They talk about their job, how they got into the industry and what they like about working in events.

Seeing 5000 participants enjoying themselves makes Rachael happy…
Rachael Bee
Marketing and Event Manager
Monthly event - ILUVLIVE

From a family of doctors and studying Science at Cambridge to an Exhibition Coordinator at the Science Museum…
Jennifer Wong
Exhibition Coordinator
Venue: Science Museum

Organises the non-classical gigs and events at the Sage Gateshead, where no two days are ever the same…
Gail Davies
Event Administrator
Venue: Sage Gateshead

He used to be really shy, but dealing with the public has changed that…
Kevin Johnson
Steward and Customer Service Assistant Manager
Company: Eden Project

Jozsef only came to the UK for six months, but after two years can see he has a future here…
Jozsef Pejak
Conference and Banqueting Manager
Venue: Coppid Beech Hotel

Has days when she can’t believe that she gets paid for what she does…
Tamsin Gay
Outdoor Instructor
Activity Supplier: Plas y Brenin

Helps families during the most upsetting and troubling times of their lives…
Brian Litster
Funeral Director
Company: The Co-operative Funeral Care

James gets a buzz out of being paid to jump from arena roofs at 19 metres high…
James Roberts
Circus Performer
Nofitstate Circus

The greatest part of the day is standing at the front looking at a full house of people…
Ian Sime
General Manager
Company: Leeds Grand Theatre

80,000 people watching Basement Jaxx headlining Glastonbury Festival…
Nathan Curran
Musician/Drummer
Band: Basement Jaxx

A major turning point was when John-Paul realised that he didn’t have any qualifications and didn’t know what he was going to do…
John-Paul Russell
Arts and Cultural Development Officer
Company: Belfast Youth Initiatives

Gets up and actually wants to go to work…
Joseph Davis
Stage Technician
Venue: Leeds Grand Theatre

Does a bit of everything at The Pierian Centre…
Tina Lynch
Venue Manager
Venue: The Pierian Centre

To help people work out what type of organisation to work for I’ve split the industry up by buyers and suppliers:

Although it’s not as simple as buying or selling, I think this is a good starting point before job hunting, to work out what type of organisation particularly interests you. So this model shows the primary objectives of organisations operating in the industry.

I’ve also included other organisations that don’t fit into the model but still play an important role in the event industry, such as industry associations and publications.

Click here for Part 2: Aspects of Working in Events