If you are highly organized, creative, detail-oriented, a strong communicator and you like to put together a party, you probably have the perfect personality to be an event manager. Professionals interested in qualifying for leadership roles in the event management field can gain industry-relevant skills and knowledge through Lamar University’s online Master of Science in Hospitality Management program.
The program’s carefully designed coursework helps professionals gain expertise in field-specific areas including business and operations management, hospitality and tourism, hospitality law, research methods and strategic branding and marketing. Upon completion, graduates are prepared to excel in a wide range of upper-management roles such as hotel general manager, casino property general manager, hospitality director, hospitality management consultant, event manager and corporate event planner.
Responsibilities of an Event Manager
The overall responsibilities of an event manager include planning, organizing and overseeing various events for an employer or client. This includes managing logistics, schedules, budgets, catering, décor, entertainment, staffing, music/audiovisual equipment and more. These professionals are the point of contact for all clients, vendors and internal staff. If the event is public, their responsibilities may include designing and distributing invitations and handling marketing and advertising. They may also be required to provide post-event reports detailing how each aspect of the event turned out, and may even conduct a post-event survey of attendees to gain more insights into whether the event was a success.
Event managers must have outstanding communication skills, excellent organizational skills, a knack for problem solving and leadership abilities. Since it’s a career that involves working with various types of clients, vendors, employees and staff, interpersonal skills are essential to creating positive experiences. The ability to motivate, delegate and resolve conflicts is also a crucial aspect of an event manager’s skill set.
What Are the Daily Duties of an Event Manager?
The daily duties of an event manager vary depending on the stage of event planning, the type of event (e.g., corporate, weddings, festivals) and whether they work for an organization, agency, venue or as a freelancer. In the early stages of event planning, meetings take up a lot of time. These involve establishing timelines and budgets, creating checklists and researching and booking venues, vendors and entertainment. Floor plans, table seating and other details are all part of the planning process.
Pre-event coordination also involves managing vendor and supplier activity, confirming bookings and deliveries, negotiating contracts, assigning tasks and providing for specific dietary preferences and restrictions for guests. The day of the event will be focused on execution, and post-event tasks will include evaluation and follow-up. Throughout the process of coordinating the event, budget management is critical.
If marketing and promotion are required for the event, this may involve creating invitations, social media posts and email campaigns. Throughout the process, the event manager must be able to anticipate potential issues, have contingency plans in place and solve problems as they arise. Having a backup plan with alternate vendors or providers can help avert a catastrophe.
On the day of the event, the event manager oversees all aspects of the setup, staff, schedule and cleanup. This can include coordinating speakers and entertainment and the possibility of moving an outdoor event indoors due to weather and other real-time issues that might crop up. Managing the guest experience is the highest priority on the day of the event. After the event, the event manager finalizes payments to vendors, evaluates the event’s success, collects feedback from attendees and clients and prepares a report for the client.
Job Outlook in Event Management
Demand for meeting, convention and event planners is growing at a faster than average rate, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Glassdoor reports the pay range for event managers in the U.S. is between $70,000 and $116,000 per year, depending on location, experience and education level.
According to ZipRecruiter, the highest paying jobs in the event industry are conference producer, director of events, meeting manager and corporate event planner. Lamar University’s program prepares graduates to excel in any of these roles.
Preparing for a Career in Event Management
Acquiring skills in strategic branding and marketing, human resource management and basic business functionality provides a solid foundation for a variety of potential careers in the hospitality industry. By earning an online Master of Science in Hospitality Management from Lamar University, aspiring event managers gain the advanced skills, industry knowledge and leadership capabilities needed to secure leadership positions in this high-growth field.
Coursework covers career-specific topics including motivation, group behavior, research methods, data analysis and business and human resource management. With its flexible online format and comprehensive curriculum, the program prepares working professionals for executive-level roles and increased earning potential.
Learn more about Lamar University’s online Master of Science in Hospitality Management program.
