RESPONSIBILITIES IN THE ROLE OF AN EVENT ORGANIZER

MANAGE THE EVENT PLANNING PROCESS

Event organizers work closely with their clients during the planning process to manage every aspect of the event. They are responsible for ensuring that the event goes smoothly and that everyone involved in the event does their job. Some aspects of the planning process include:

Allocating the budget

Securing the venue

Developing the food menu

Designing and printing event materials

Working with subcontractors

?MANAGE BUDGET PARAMETERS

Before event organizers can begin the planning process, they ask the client for the size of their budget. They can also make suggestions to the client to modify the budget based on their expectations for the event. They ensure they get the best bids from caterers and local venues, and then they hire skilled individuals within the confines of the budget.

?TRANSPORTING AND LODGING OF GUESTS

Sometimes, event organizers offer transportation services to help make it easier for guests to get to the venue. They may also provide accommodation services or have agreements with lodging service providers in case the event lasts for an extended period. They also ensure they get the best deals within the client's budget.

?DETERMINING THE VENUE OF THE EVENT

In the role of event organizer, you will work closely with clients to determine the best location for the event. Some clients may want a large or small venue, depending on the purpose of the event. The event organizer may create a list of potential venues, and inspect the venue to ensure that they meet the demands of the clients.

?COMMUNICATING AND NETWORK DEVELOPMENT

Event organizers communicate with on-site staff to help events be more successful, and develop networks with other clients and event organizers so they can collaborate on future projects. They can also take tips and ideas from other professionals to help make the planning process and projects they're working on more efficient.

?SUPERVISE EVENT SETUPS

Event organizers supervise the setup and aesthetics of the events they plan. They also manage the use of equipment, such as projector screens and sound systems. They find ways to keep the guests of the events engaged and entertained.

?SELECT EVENT SPEAKERS

If the event is a seminar or a conference, event organizers will help clients identify relevant speakers, confirm the speakers' availability, and ensure that the event holds as scheduled. If there is a need for any change in the event's date, organizers are responsible for informing the speakers.

?IMPORTANT SKILLS FOR AN EVENT ORGANIZER

?Interpersonal skills

In this role, you may interact with executives, high-level professionals, and clients from different fields. It's important that you know how to relate to these individuals so you can maximize the connections. Some elements of interpersonal skills include:

Dependability

Teamwork

Responsibility

Active listening

Motivation

Leadership

Empathy

Flexibility

Patience

?Flexibility

The duties and responsibilities of event organizers vary for different kinds of events. For example, in one event, the client may require you to set up equipment for projecting information on a screen and in another event, you may focus on getting music and other forms of entertainment in the event. As an event organizer, it's important to be flexible enough to adapt to various roles to be able to effectively perform your duties.

?Listening skills

It's critical to fully understand your client's needs. Your client may not be an expert in organizing events, but it's likely that they have a clear vision of what they want their event to be. Try to listen attentively to details that your client requests to ensure that you meet all of their needs.

?Organization skills

Running an event successfully will require you to be meticulous, good at planning, and able to multitask. Good organization skills can help you be engaged and active in multiple activities within a short time and manage them efficiently. Specific organizational skills that can help you succeed in the role of event organizer include:

Goal setting

Delegation

Time management

Attention to detail

Self-motivation

Analytical thinking

Strategic thinking

Decision-making

?Passion

Being motivated about your job as an event organizer is vital to consistently planning successful events. This career can be demanding and requires you to be passionate about what you do. Being motivated about your work can also inspire creativity. If you are passionate about being an event organizer, it can help you stay focused even if the work becomes tasking.

?Communication

Clear, polite, and concise communication is necessary for you as an event organizer and will help you establish yourself as a team leader. Good communication will help you ensure that the purpose and plan for the event are clear to everyone you're working with. Try to communicate in a manner that is respectful and inclusive. Also, try to be open to criticism and be willing to accept feedback for any event you plan. This is vital if you want to grow as an event organizer.

?Working under pressure

Being able to work efficiently in high-pressure situations is an important skill for event organizers. During the planning process, the environment is usually fast-paced and there may be strict deadlines. The ability to work well under pressure can help you schedule your time effectively, conserve your energy, and stay calm and focused.

?Problem-solving skills

When planning events, it's important to prepare mentally and physically for any situation. Even if you plan the event as efficiently as possible, the possibility remains that something may go wrong. Developing good problem-solving skills can help you address any issues that arise with creative solutions.

?Decision-making

It's important for people in this career to be skilled at decision-making. The role of an event inevitably involves making several decisions quickly and at the same time. Ensuring you have all pertinent information and thinking ahead to anticipate all potential outcomes will help you succeed in these situations. Good event organizers will possess the required communication skills, logical mentality, and goal-oriented attitude to make sound judgments.

?Strategic planning

As an event organizer, it's important to plan out how to delegate your resources. This may involve maintaining an exhaustive schedule, utilizing a focus timer, and organizing meetings days or weeks in advance. Consideration and planning ahead will help event organizers accomplish their tasks, and meet deadlines efficiently.

?Tips to improve your skills as an event organizer

If you think this career path might be right for you, or are currently working in the field, the following are some tips that will help you improve your skills:

?Begin the planning process early

If you book a job to organize an event, it's important to begin the planning process as soon as possible. Try to prioritize your next steps and identify the pertinent calls and connections that will be necessary for making the event successful. Start by taking care of these steps first. This can help you save time and money on vendors because you have more time to prepare for the event.

?Utilize your network

One important element in event organization is your network. Try to stay in close contact with the vendors and venues that you enjoy working and collaborating with. It's also important to stay in contact with your colleagues, volunteers, and former clients as good connections can enable you to build teams quickly and easily for your jobs.

?Rehearse your events

Rehearsing and running through your events before the actual day is important. Try to schedule a dress rehearsal with your staff and if possible, the presenters. This can help you identify and deal with any potential problems that can occur during the event.

?Follow up

After every event, try to follow up with everyone you worked with as part of the planning and execution process. This can be done via email or phone call a few days after the event. You can also write thank you emails to the venue and vendors that contributed to the event's success. Show each party that you appreciate their efforts and want to stay in contact with them.