Want to level up your event planning skills? In order to succeed in event management, you’ll need a variety of skills. When handling live performances, technology, and huge groups of people — whether in person or virtually — you’ll need to be prepared to wear a lot of hats.
• Communication skills
Communications skills are the most common trait among successful event planners. You must be at ease communicating with high-ranking executives, government officials, vendors, coworkers, sponsor representatives, customers, supervisors, suppliers, staff, and event participants. You’ll need to be able to resolve conflicts quickly, be a confident but pleasant negotiator, and keep your sense of irony in order to work with such a diverse group of people.
Remember, if you enjoy your work and the people you work with, they will want to collaborate with you again. Because you can’t do everything on your own, developing relationships is essential.
• Scheduling
You need to be able to do about fifty things at once to run a successful event. This multitasking ability is one of the most important skills in event management, as it is required for both smooth planning and flawless execution. The best planners use foolproof systems, step-by-step checklists, and tech tools to help them stay organized. Working in the events industry necessitates the ability to keep track of all the small details while focusing on the big picture. Get used to delegating some of your more time-consuming tasks to avoid burnout. And don’t be afraid to switch to Plan B if things don’t go as planned.
• Ability to listen
Understanding what your key stakeholders want from your event is crucial. These individuals may not be familiar with the event industry’s jargon or understand what is realistic. You must be able to discern their requirements and ensure that everyone is on the same page. Pay attention to what is said — and what isn’t said — during important conversations. Staying one step ahead of the game requires tapping into these spoken (and unspoken) needs throughout the planning process.
• Dedication
With all of the stress that comes with being an event planner, it’s critical to enjoy what you do. Genuine passion aids in overcoming setbacks and maintaining composure when all seems lost. Instead of just getting through the day, it leads to bursts of creativity and productivity. Time management is something that can be learned, but passion is something that cannot be taught. Being an event manager can be a thankless job at times, so it must be more than just a source of income for you.
• Effective communication
Clear, firm, and kind communication establishes you as a team leader, keeps everyone on track, and ensures that everyone understands the event’s goals. It also allows you to effectively share your vision and elicit enthusiasm from others. Communicate in a way that is respectful of all parties involved and does not put anyone down. Accept constructive criticism and be receptive to new ideas. Because everyone contributes to an event’s success, make sure you’re communicating with them in a clear, confident, and empowering manner.
• Problem-solving skills
You have to be resourceful with what you have, whether it’s tracking down some last-minute duct tape or rewriting a keynote presentation. Something will go wrong regardless of how well you plan. And if you enjoy coming up with innovative answers to problems, it will be a lot simpler to deal with.
• Knowledge
If you have a lot of experience, people will be more likely to believe you because there is no better way to learn than by doing. And after you’ve seen the variety of obstacles that an event might present, your work will become easier. In addition, when things go rough, the seasoned manager can depend on a network of trustworthy professionals. Getting a degree or taking a course can help you get started if you don’t have a lot of experience.
As you can see, event planning is a difficult — yet lucrative — profession. If all of this sounds like something you were born to do, then now is the time to start.
