Modern people are born jugglers. We juggle careers, interests and families, often with more success than we give ourselves credit for. That’s why a career in events management is more possible than ever – most of us already possess the vital skill of multitasking.

The question: “What does it take to become a successful event manager?” is one that is frequently asked. It is also a very difficult question to answer. There are so many skills and traits that are necessary to become an effective event manager.

As such, this question has many answers. One answer is that you have to be versatile. As an event manager, you are the manager, the decorator, the “go to” person for all others, the operations expert, the negotiator and the accountant. One of the most exciting elements of event management is that it is a constant process of improvement to one’s skill sets and knowledge.

Between the conception of the event and its execution, three distinctive skill sets are involved, namely creative and operational planning and marketing. The ability to sell an idea, vision or concept, is utterly vital when working in events. A good event manager understands that they need to be involved in every step of the planning process, whether as chief decision maker or merely as the overseer. If one thinks of an event as a well-oiled machine, each cog has a part to play and each one is reliant on the other to create a successful event. If one cog is not working or is absent, the machine cannot function.

Creating the budget for an event and securing the funding is another crucial cog. As most events are businesses, their goal is to make money. Working creatively within a budget is a key skill. There are also many bylaws and regulations, which need to be adhered to over and above all other planning. Large-scale outdoor events require a vast amount of operations and logistics planning. This is where the event manager gets to wear the hat of the electrician, the plumber, the landscaper, the infrastructure manager, the lighting consultant etc. You don’t need to be an expert in each field, but you do need a basic understanding of each area.

It may sound rather daunting, and it can be at times, but it is most certainly not boring! Events management is a challenging, exciting and rewarding career for those with the drive and passion to take it on.

If you are interested in this topic, take a look at our University of Cape Town Events Management short course to gain the skills and confidence to design, administer and market events, and to manage event operations and risks.

Other upcoming courses:

UCT Foundations of Executive Coaching short course

UCT Marketing short course

UCT Advanced Project Management short course

SSISA Nutrition short course

 UCT Social Enterprise Development short course

Visit http://www.getsmarter.co.za for more information on a portfolio of over 50 online short courses.