Whether it is a small pop-up event or a large-scale festival, every event manager understands that the success of the event goes far beyond gathering people in the right place. Almost anyone can put people together and call a party. What makes an event successful and distinct is how it is managed!

Event management is a constantly changing industry, and event managers need the right skills to adapt to these changes readily. There are also some basic skills any successful event manager should have.

However, event management can also be an exciting and very satisfying and rewarding career. In this article, we highlight some of the skills any event manager will need to make a success of their career.

7 Skills Event Managers Need

Event management is more than attending and planning glamorous events, and having the right stands for events to keeping the event on the agenda. It requires a distinct skill set, from strategic planning to people management. These ten invaluable event management skills can help event managers achieve excellence at all their events.

1. Effective communication skills

Effective communication is a key skill in any business, and it is essential for event managers. As an event manager, you have to know how to build relationships with your clients and vendors. You also want to know how to communicate your needs and expectations respectfully and empoweringly. Good communication is also crucial when you have volunteers who need to understand their roles and responsibilities.

Communication for an event manager can be written or verbal. Whatever form of communication you are employing, your message should be clear and accurate. Communication also involves listening, so ensure you pay attention to the needs of your clients and vendors. With effective communication skills, you can ensure every stakeholder at your event understands their role and that it plays out without any issues.

2. Problem-solving skills

No matter how good your planning and organizational skills are, the truth is that there are bound to be problems at an event. As an event manager, you need the skills to tackle these problems as they arise. You also need to do this without disrupting your event, keeping a level head.

Even when you are nervous, you need to be calm and collected when relating to others. This skill also deals with time, so you need to be able to come up with those solutions as fast as possible. One of the ways to improve these skills is to ensure your pre-planning is properly done and that you have backup plans in place for as many scenarios as you can think of.

3. Organizational skills

Organizational skills are one of those skills almost everyone needs, but even more so in an event manager. You need to know how to keep track of tasks and responsibilities, manage your time, and delegate when necessary. As an event manager, there is a lot to do, and you must always stay on top of all the tasks.

Organizational skills for an event manager are not just creating lists, though. It is also about organizing your ideas in a way that is clear to others. From planning to post-event analysis, an event planner must organize every detail to the minute, documenting every expense and decision.

4. Budget management skills

The budget is an essential component of any event, and the onus lies on the event manager to create, manage, and track this budget. Every activity should be properly estimated and added to a realistic budget.

Good budget management skills will help you avoid any form of overspending. You can also understand the profit to expect from the event with a good budget. Ensure you always check your budget plan throughout the event so you can break even and make a profit.

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5. Attention to detail and negotiation skills

The ability to analyze details with a critical eye, focus on what is important, and minimize distractions is very important for an event manager. Many things would happen simultaneously, and you need to pay attention to the little things that matter the most. Clients appreciate this skill in an event manager.

You also need to understand how to negotiate the best possible deals from sponsors, vendors, and suppliers. Ensure you maintain confidence in bargain contracts and prices, and try to understand contractors’ expectations and requests. Not only will this skill be appreciated by your clients, but it will also help you maximize your profits from the events.

6. Time management and multitasking skills

Time is a limited resource. As an event manager, you need to maximize time so you and your team can work at your best without burning out. To properly manage your time, you want to prioritize important tasks, break down large tasks into small, actionable chunks, and keep track of your progress. You also need to time speakers at your events, ensure you start on time, and make sure presentations do not exceed the planned time.

Multitasking is a time-related skill that can also help you get more done with your limited time. There are several things that will be coming up at the same time. You can speak with panelists while setting up mics or answer the phone while working as an ad hoc staff. Having a team can also help you multitask better as you delegate certain tasks to them.

7. Stress management skills

Event management is one of the jobs where you have to be more organized and persistent. This is not surprising considering the details an event manager must consider on the job. However, as a good event manager, you have to learn to manage stress and tasks if you want to continue doing the job for a long time.

You can implement several stress management strategies for you and your team. Some of them include taking adequate breaks, using lists, setting boundaries and sticking to them, preparing for all scenarios, and staying calm. The most important stress management strategy is loving what you do. With passion, you can overcome almost any issues you encounter on the job.

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Conclusion

Event managers play a vital role in the organization and oversight of events. They plan, negotiate with suppliers and vendors, lead a diverse set of people, and are in charge of the overall success of events. The skills highlighted above are crucial to the success of their work.

You will make for a good event manager if you have most of these skills. If not, you can still develop them and become a successful event management professional. You only have to be determined and ready to learn.

Event management is about continuous learning and improving your skills with each event. Even if you have your skills down to pat, you can keep improving your planning by sharpening these skills.

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