Event Management

Introduction

 

Events and occasions are an integral part of human life. We simply cannot bypass them as they touch almost all aspects of our social existence. Birthday celebrations, social gatherings, engagements and weddings are events we celebrate at the personal level.

During academic years there are school events such as annual day functions, inter and intra school contests, sports day celebrations, followed by college and university level festivals. In the sphere of work, there are annual general meetings, exhibitions, marketing campaigns, conferences, product launches and brand development activities. Other events such as fashion shows, cultural programs, talent hunt shows, promotional campaigns, religious gatherings and so on also play an important role in our life.

And what’s more, all of us have been a part of these events from time to time. We either organise these events or take part in the show. Either ways we want these occasions to go on as per our expectations and in doing so we often seek professional help. However, we do not pay much heed to the people who assiduously put in their effort and creative talent to make these events memorable and successful. They are the event managers.

Event management is a multifaceted activity. Major constituents of this profile include creativity, meticulous planning, relationship management, advertising and marketing and much more, all rolled into one seamlessly choreographed process.

Start Early

A creative aptitude and the skill to manage things meticulously are the main ingredients of getting into the event management industry. These skills can easily be honed especially during the academic years.

You can start off in this direction by organising school and college events such as skits, quiz contests, cultural meets, annual day functions or sports events. For this, you need to have the acumen to select an appropriate venue for the occasion, visualise the décor and the sequence of items as they would unfold in front of the spectators. Further, you must arrange for an assortment of equipment, technicians and artists who would make the occasion successful.

A rich experience during these years plays a crucial role when you select event management as your preferred profession later on in life.

Is it the right career for me?

Like many other career paths, the route to a successful occupation in the event management industry is not based on the foundation of academic laurels and certifications. However, the basic survival toolkit to get into this profession is both wide and subjective.
   
Your basic task is to plan and present an event in a novel way and that too from scratch. For this, you must possess the quality to think out of the box. Apart from ample creative juices, you ought to have good planning, marketing, budgeting, negotiation, client management, communication and leadership skills.

Further, you must have immense patience and insight to see right into the smallest details of the entire event management process and always stay focussed on your project goals. Good networking skills, client management, business analytics, time management, ability to take on challenges, problem solving skills and adjusting to rapidly changing situations are some other qualities essential for this role.

The mantra for success in this cutthroat business is to constantly improve upon your existing skills, stick to your career objectives, avoid complacency and always delight your client.

What would it Cost Me?

A Post-Graduate Diploma in Advertising, Media and Events (PGDAME) from the National Institute of Event Management (NIEM), Mumbai, costs around Rs.1,25,000 approximately, whereas the Post-Graduate Diploma in Event Management (PGDEM) costs up to Rs.55,000 and the fees for a Diploma in Event Management (DEM) is around Rs.40,000.

Funding/Scholarship

Since most of the existing study programs pertaining to event management are certifications and diplomas, scholarships are not on offer for students pursuing these programs.

Job Prospect

There are plenty of jobs in this industry. In spite of the current global economic slowdown, the event management industry has continued to grow in leaps and bounds. There are plenty of events: weddings, birthday parties, talent hunt and reality shows, fashion and cultural shows, academic and sports meets, religious functions, corporate events, conferences and so on.

Talented youngsters who want to leave their mark in this industry have numerous avenues. You can join an event management company or a media house that specialises in event management activities. Once you have garnered ample experience you can either start working in the capacity of a freelancer or event set up your own events business.

Pay Packet

The pay packet in this industry varies according to your role and responsibility. It also depends on factors such as the organisation you are working with, the type of clientele your organisation is catering to, your experience, the city where the firm is located and so on.

As a fresher in this industry, you can easily bag a pay cheque in the range of Rs.10,000 – Rs.15,000 per month. The remuneration goes up with your experience and area of expertise. You can earn big money working in the capacity of an expert freelancer or the owner of your own event management company.

Demand and Supply

There are is an insatiable demand for professionals associated with this particular industry. As very few educational establishments offer professional courses for aspiring event managers, there is a great paucity of experienced professionals in this field. To fill this gap, the event management business has to acquire professionals from a vast array of other vocations.

Market Watch

Event management is an industry that is on the move. An exponential growth in events such as talent-hunt competitions, music concerts, fashion shows, academic functions, exhibitions, trade fairs, religious gatherings and the like have fuelled the demand for talented event managing personnel. The demand for creative and result oriented event managers is going to continue in the near future.

International Focus

Off late our country has started getting more and more media coverage and recognition abroad. Further, the cine industry has started hosting mega annual events at international venues. This has greatly improved the scope for people engaged in the event management industry to try their luck in international market.
Professionals in this field also get the opportunity to showcase their talent at international events where delegates from our country participate in cultural festivals and exchange programs, trade shows, conferences, exhibitions, corporate events and so on.

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