Getting started in the events industry demands many things – hard work, confidence and an attention to detail that sets you apart from the crowd. These skills develop with time and experience in the white heat of an unfolding event – but there are simpler and smarter ways to raise your game, grow your skillset and create a solid framework for your successful events career. Take a look at our top tips to harness that ambition and make progress fast.
Attend and learn
Don’t resent learning. Regardless of your level of practical experience, you should embrace the possibility of expanding your horizons – the learning should never stop. The best way to learn about events and best practice is, naturally, to make the time to attend as many events as you can. Across different sectors and specialisms – public or private, charity or conference – there’s an awful lot to learn from seeing an events team working flat out to create something special. There are many hidden costs and challenges involved in event planning, and seeing professionals tackle these problems around you is hugely beneficial.
It’s also worth keeping an eye on industry events – talks, seminars, meetups, conferences and the like. They vary in size, scale and subject, but coming together with other event professionals can help to meet influencers and demystify the pitfalls of the industry.
Talk, talk, talk
Running an event demands effective communication, but there are so many gadgets and gizmos saturating the events industry right now, it’s hard to know where to start – and easy to overlook the fundamentals that you need to get right. Face-to-face meetings at both the planning and execution stage can be faster and more effective than wordy emails. Clean and easy project management software like Basecamp can be a revelation, while old classics like walkie-talkies are a flexible and all-purpose comms essential, often neglected in the rush towards Whatsapp and pocket-sized digital alternatives. From the start of the project, set yourself out from the crowd with clarity and confidence – be succinct, cover every base and keep an open door for questions.
Lead together
Whether you’re just starting out, or leading an event for the first time, it’s vital to understand the strengths and capacity of your team. If you’re part of the team, behave like it – support colleagues wholeheartedly, and grab every opportunity that’s practical to prove yourself and learn new skills. When your chance comes, set the tone from the start – plan thoroughly, communicate constantly and work closely with the people around you to create something amazing. Effective teamwork not only ensures success but will help you to build lasting relationships that will help you to progress.
The value of strategy
Every event begins with intricate and thoughtful planning, but guaranteeing clear boundaries of success from day 1 means that planning will pay off with an event that achieves results for your client or business. Simon Sinek’s celebrated book ‘Start With Why’ outlines the critical value of understanding the cause and reason behind every decision we make. Strategy starts with understanding what needs to be achieved, and events is no different – keeping this clear in the thinking of you and your team throughout the project will ensure an effective event.
Make a change, or keep going
Don’t be afraid of change – it’s how we learn and grow as professionals, and the events industry is no different. With every new experience and challenge, there’s nothing wrong with analysing what you’re learning and making the decision to move on – if your work isn’t taking you where you want to go, change direction. The opportunities available to you in the future are defined by the work that you do now – so make sure you’re working on events for clients that one day will help you get where you want to go.
