A career as an event manager is dynamic, creative, and filled with a variety of experiences. An event manager is responsible for planning, organising, and overseeing events of all types, ensuring that every detail comes together seamlessly. From managing budgets, selecting venues to coordinating with suppliers, the role involves many different responsibilities.
Throughout your career as an event manager, you’ll have the opportunity to manage an array of events, each with its own unique challenges and rewards. From corporate conferences to dreamy weddings, no two events are the same. The diversity of this career is one of its biggest appeals. In this article, we’ll explore the main types of events you can expect to manage in your role as an event manager.
Corporate events form a large part of the event management industry, with businesses relying on event managers to create impactful and smooth-running experiences. These events focus on professional settings but still require creativity, attention to detail, and expert organisational skills. Let’s dive into the main types of corporate events you might manage during your career.
Conferences are large-scale gatherings typically focused on sharing industry knowledge, networking, and professional development. You’ll be responsible for organising everything from venue hire to keynote speakers, catering, and post-event evaluations. Conferences often involve multiple sessions running simultaneously, so exceptional organisational skills are essential.
Conferences are often held in centres or halls, but can also be held online.
Trade shows are exhibitions where businesses within a specific industry showcase their products and services. They can be small or huge events, ranging from just a few guests to thousands.
As an event manager, your role will include coordinating exhibitors, managing the layout of the event, and ensuring smooth operations from start to finish. They will feature displays, showcases, speakers and perhaps some entertainment.
Seminars are focused on learning and training, typically involving small groups and specific topics. Your task will be to manage schedules, facilitate smooth presentations, and ensure attendees have everything they need from refreshments to printed materials.
Seminars can be held anywhere depending on the size and scope. You would ideally need a location with smaller areas or rooms for learning, and larger spaces for socialising.
Many companies host meetings at off-site locations, allowing teams to focus away from the regular office environment, or to meet with teams from a different office. They can be anything from board meetings, quarterly business reviews, strategy planning sessions, stakeholder meetings, rebranding, or something else entirely.
These events might seem simple but they require meticulous planning, from travel logistics, accommodation, and ensuring all required equipment functions correctly. The required venue usually depends on the size of the company, but can be anything from an upmarket restaurant or hall to an entire conference centre.
Team building events are designed to foster cooperation and improve morale within a company. These can include anything from workshops, fun challenges, outdoor adventures or creative sessions. Your role will be to ensure the activities are well-organised and deliver a fun, engaging experience for all participants.
The scope of the event will depend on the client but could be small scale with a few dozen people, to something much larger with several hundred.
Company parties are one of the most diverse event types you can manage. They could be holiday parties, awards nights, small scale dinners, celebrations of company milestones, or more general corporate events.
Event planning may include following a theme, and sourcing decor, catering and entertainment that aligns with the company’s culture. You’ll need to create an enjoyable, festive atmosphere and ensure everything runs smoothly.
When a company launches a new product or service, it’s essential to make a strong impression to begin marketing. These events are often high-profile, involving media, influencers, and industry stakeholders. They can have a similar feel to a party or conference, but will be more promotional.
Your responsibilities may include managing the press, coordinating a guest list, and ensuring the event has the desired impact. You can host a product launch at many different venues from hotels to stadiums.
Networking events allow professionals to connect, share ideas, and build relationships within their industry.
These events often take place in informal settings like after work meetups or casual gatherings. While less structured they still require a great deal of planning, from selecting the right venue to ensuring spaces to socialise.
Non-corporate events are where you can really let your creativity shine. These events often revolve around personal milestones or celebrations. Here are the key types of non-corporate events you’ll likely manage as an event manager.
A wedding is often the most important day in a couple’s life, and it’s your job to ensure it’s perfect. This involves coordinating with the couple, sourcing suppliers, keeping the event on schedule, and ensuring that every detail reflects the couple’s vision for their big day.
Weddings range massively in terms of size, budget and scope, and provide a unique challenge to organisers. From venue selection to flower arrangements and seating plans, the scope of responsibility is wide ranging. This is an ever-changing category of event planning as no two weddings are the same!
Festivals range from music to food festivals and anything in between. These large-scale events often span several days and require coordination of multiple activities, stages, and suppliers.
Crowd management, health and safety considerations, and logistical planning are critical elements to ensure the event runs smoothly. Venues can be anything from a field to a stadium.
Exhibitions involve creating a space where work can be displayed to the public. They can be anything from industry exhibitions, art shows, museum installations and more.
Your role will involve curating the event space, liaising with artists or exhibitors, and managing the visitor experience, ensuring that everything from lighting to signage creates the desired atmosphere. Just as each exhibition will vary, so do the venues! They can range from galleries, shopping centres, conference spaces and halls.
Charity events are organised to raise funds and awareness for a particular cause. These can include charity galas, auctions, fun runs and more. As the event manager, you’ll be tasked with helping to ensure the event meets its fundraising goals, while also providing an enjoyable experience for guests. Generally the more imaginative you can be, the more money you can raise!
Charity events can be held anywhere, so venue sourcing is a big part of this role. Managing budgets and securing sponsors are also vital to its success.
Sports events range from local community matches to large-scale competitions, marathons or cycle races.
These events require meticulous planning for both participants and spectators, including arranging venues and meeting points, managing schedules, and coordinating health and safety procedures.
Fashion shows and red carpet events are high profile and demand flair and an eye for detail. These glamorous events often involve media, VIPs and influential personalities, making them high-pressure occasions.
As an event manager you’ll oversee different aspects from stage design and model coordination, to guest lists and press coverage. Venues can be anything from centres to theatres.
Private parties, such as birthdays, anniversaries, and milestone celebrations, offer the opportunity to create memorable experiences on a more personal level.
These events require strong attention to detail to ensure that the event reflects the client’s personality and vision, while also managing logistics, catering, and entertainment.
Cultural events, such as parades or community festivals, celebrate heritage and community spirit. Parades often require coordination with local authorities, managing large crowds, and ensuring that participants and spectators have a safe and enjoyable experience.
Your role will involve working with diverse stakeholders, from community groups to performers.
As an event manager you’ll experience a wide variety of event types, from corporate conferences to weddings and festivals. Each event type brings its own unique set of challenges and opportunities, requiring creativity, attention to detail, and excellent organisation.
If this sounds like the career for you, consider exploring our event management courses to develop the skills and knowledge you need to thrive in this exciting industry. Whether you’re a school leaver or looking for a career change, a future in event management offers endless possibilities!
