We all want to be successful in what we do for a living. As an events manager (or aspiring events manager) you might have certain career goals to measure your success by. Maybe you want to:

• Build an international events empire.
• Arrange for your favourite band to tour your hometown.
• Become the number one events professional in South Africa.
• Go to Hollywood and organise red-carpet events for the rich and famous.
• Make more money than you can spend in one lifetime.

Whatever your definition of success might be, the question remains: how does one achieve it? So, to get you on the right track, here are a few things you will need to know early on if you are planning to make it big in the business of events:

Get to grips with the basics

First things first: you need to learn the basics of events management before you can even think about succeeding in your career. Getting to grips with the essential elements of events management will create a solid foundation on which to build a successful professional future. Greatness starts by working from the bottom up.

Here are some of the basic skills and areas of expertise you will need to master in order to become a successful events manager:

• Marketing
• Data analysis
• Customer care
• Communication
• Problem solving
• Contract negotiation
• Logistics
• Media usage
• Team leadership
• Strategic planning
• Budget management
• Professional ethics
• Safety regulations and protocols

The best way to get the basics down is to get some events management training. Learn the basics, and start building up from there.

Click here to learn more about studying events management

Networking is the key to success

Whether its parties, conferences, sports tournaments, or music concerts – most events are social in nature. Likewise, the profession of events management is a highly social profession. Communication skills are essential to doing your job well, and networking skills are essential to growing your career.

In regards to networking, you will firstly have to build a network of contacts that you can use to make your events successful. These professional contacts will include:

• Other events professionals
• Reliable events team members
• Venue owners
• Suppliers
• Caterers
• Entertainers

Secondly, you will have to build a reliable network of clients. When it comes to companies that hold regular events, becoming their trusted events manager can be a golden ticket to success. Client referrals will also be a key component in growing your business and building a professional reputation. People talk, so keep your clients happy and you will be supplied with a lot of with new business.

Read: 10 Things Clients Look at When Hiring an Events Manager

Lastly, you have to network within the industry itself. Know the key role players, the big companies, and other influential professionals. You want to become a known name in your circle, get a prestigious job, and become the first person anyone thinks of when a big contract is laid on the table.

At the end of the day, it’s mostly hard work

You will not land the big events contracts or the prestigious promotion the day after you finish your events management course. You will have to start at the bottom and work yourself up, building a reputation, a track record of successful events, and a network of contacts. What’s more, you will only really be able to develop and sharpen your skills once you actually start working. Experience is, after all, the best teacher.

Most likely, you will have to work through a number of entry-level events positions before you can become a fully-fledged events manager. These might include:

• Events team member
• Assistant events manager
• Events planner
• Events co-ordinator

Becoming an events manager is not always glitz and glamour – it also takes a fair amount of sweat and tears. Most professionals working in this industry would, however, agree that becoming an events manager is well worth it. It’s exciting, it’s interesting, and you get to meet and work with all kinds of crazy people in this industry! The best way to achieve success is to love what you are doing and to be passionate about it.

If you want to find out more about studying events management, click here. If you want to learn more about how to become an events manager, you can download this free e-book to help you: