Event Management: A Booming UK Industry

Event Management is a booming industry in the UK. The government released 2012 figures that highlights the UK’s global presence in this exciting field, with the event management sector employing more than one million persons in the UK. There are now university and private education programmes for persons interested in pursuing a career in event management.Due to Tricostar's involvement with events and membership management, and the web-based software we provide, we keep a keen eye on developments within the industry.The UK conference and meeting industry a vibrant and exciting one, which is currently valued at £18.8 billion annually. Trade shows contribute another £9.3 billion annually to the industry and the ever-popular UK managed sporting events contribute another £2.3 billion to the nation’s GDP every year. Music events managed by UK companies account for another £1.4 billion, while festivals and cultural events contribute another £1.1 billion to GDP. Corporate hospitality, which also falls under the auspices of event planning, contributes yet another £1.1 billion.Event management is closely linked to another thriving UK industry, the hospitality industry. This booming sector employs more the 1.9 million UK workers and is crucial to the UK recovery. In every UK county, there is a degree of reliance upon the hospitality industry.The importance of this sector has changed the way employers think about what they do. A study performed by the Hotel Catering and International Management Association indicates that 93% of hospitality employees are happy with their jobs. This is an impressive change of form and shows how hospitality has addressed the concerns of their workforce in particular. Careers in hospitality often lead to careers in food and beverage marketing, human resources and project management.

What is An Event Organiser?

Event organisers are responsible for the production of events from conception to post event evaluation and marketing. Details play an important part in the role of the event organiser. The use of special event management software has been a tremendously effective development in the event management industry. When considering the broad range of responsibilities, it is easy to see why software is necessary for today’s events.Event organisers usually work in teams. A career in event management requires great emphasis upon outstanding organisational and written and oral communication skills.Event management companies operate various events, including:

• Exhibitions and fairs
• Festivals
• Conferences
• Promotions and product launches
• Fundraising and social events

Event organisers can work with public or private, for-profit and not-for-profit entities. Projects under management can be in-house events, closed events for specific invitees or open events open to the general public.In every project, the event organiser deploys a hands-on management style. It is the attention to the smallest details that separates great events form mediocre events.

Responsibilities of Event Organisers

There may be some variation between what precise responsibilities an event organiser is expected to perform but this is a list that will apply to some degree to most events.Research – Research of national, local and global markets to identify the best opportunities for specific events.Preliminary Meetings with clients – These meetings are critical in ascertaining the precise event requirements.Creating Detailed Proposals - Proposals for essential for subcontractors and providers at events. The ability to create concise, succinct and binding proposals for a variety of diverse providers is critical to the success of the event.Managing A Budget – Managing a budget is an absolutely necessary skill for event organisers.Securing and Booking – Understanding the booking requirements of specific national and international venues is essential. The requirement of different venues can vary greatly.Knowledge of Insurance – Understanding insurance requirements, risk exposure and risk management is extremely important for successful event organisers. A working knowledge of health and safety obligations is necessary.Coordinating Venue Management – Event organisers are responsible for coordinating the interactions of caterers, stand designers, contractors, parking facilities, crowd management, security, ambulance care and equipment managers is central to a good event. In some countries, the provision of these services is regulated.Arranging Speakers - Identifying and securing speakers or special guests falls under the auspices of the event organizer.Space Planning - Planning room layouts and the entertainment programme, scheduling workshops and demonstrations are all part of the territory for event organisersAssigning Staff – Identifying staffing requirements, coordinating staff and conducting staff briefings are important responsibilities of every event.Arranging Sponsors – Organising and selling sponsorships, stand and exhibition space is critical to the financial success and entertainment value of every event. This is important in maximising the return on the event.Delegate Management – Identifying delegates and preparing delegate packs and papers and identification badges is the responsibility of the event organiser. This can involve working closely with PR firms and human resources departments.Coordinating Use of Brand – Working with clients and designers to create a suitable brand for the event and organising the production of tickets, posters, catalogues and sales brochures featuring that brand is the event organiser’s responsibility.Coordinating Suppliers – Arranging for the timely delivery of supplies and receipt of those supplies requires constant tracking and troubleshooting skills. The success of an event can hinge on the management of supplies.Breaking Down The Event – When the final bell has been heard, the event organiser immediately sets an action plan to dismantle the event in play. The event organiser must oversee the dismantling and removal of the event and clearing the venue efficiently in accordance with terms of the rental. Post-Event Evaluation – After the event is completed, the event organiser must accumulate data that reflects the success of weakness of the event. This involves data entry about attendance and in many cases post event polling. This data is placed in a post-event evaluation and submitted the client.

Job Requirements

The following qualifications are generally required of event organisers:• Event management• Hotel or catering management• Leisure and tourism• Business• MarketingEvent management is a competitive, global industry. The size and history of a company may influence its competitiveness in this industry, but there is also lots of opportunities for startups to demonstrate their skills and develop a strong reputation. Each successful event is a rung up the ladder in this industry as buyers gravitate to successful event managers, regardless of the country that they base themselves in. The ability to advance in this exciting industry is more defined by one’s ability to accomplish tasks efficiently than it is by education, although education in event management is a definite advantage.When one considers the immense responsibilities of event management teams, it is an immeasurable benefit for a team to handle these tasks with the advantages of mobile technology and event management software such as Tricostar's solutions. Today’s event managers must be technologically aware, but must also never forget that their communication skills are still of utmost importance! Tricostar's Events & Membership Management solutions allow the user to effectively plan and execute their complex event easily, whilst concentrating on making it a success. Event management software has tremendous organisational capabilities, and can guide the planner through the entire process. In addition to tracking every aspect of the event, this software can also make data entry fluid and reliable. Useful data can be retrieved immediately and is updated in real time.For more information about our Event & Membership Management Solutions, get in touch today by calling 0843 523 6542 or contacting us online.