8 Tips You Need to be a Great Event Manager

Event Management is a tricky business. Like most professions, it takes a lot of skill in time management, exceptional organisation and great interpersonal skills. As event planners, we know that putting on a one-of-a-kind event can be an exhausting process. You find yourself working all hours of the day, through every little bump in the road just to make sure every detail is executed perfectly. 

We’ve come up with some top tips on how to be a good event manager. Whether you’re just starting out or you need a little help navigating the ever-changing industry, we’ve got your back. We’ve investigated what it takes to be a modern-day event manager and how to nail it, so you don’t have to.

‍

1. Be a clear communicator with clients 

This may seem obvious but miscommunication in the events industry can result in a number of problems for both the event planner and the client. Even a simple misunderstanding can have damaging results. As an event manager, you are the first point of contact for everyone. From the venue manager and suppliers to your colleagues and even the guests, it’s always best practice to communicate as clearly and succinctly as possible.

There’s nothing worse than getting vague instructions or hearing an unclear vision. From the ability to explain your event to potential vendors, to understanding the desires and concerns of a client, your communication skills are key. If you can't communicate clearly, professionally, and directly, your event will always fall short. Above all keep calm, because no one benefits from a stressed-out event manager. 

‍

2. Learn from every experience

As you move through your career you will, naturally, experience ups and downs. You’ll have positive and negative experiences and inevitably, things will sometimes go wrong. This is expected and it can also be a good thing. Every experience is a learning curve that will allow you to develop and become a good event manager.

‍Experience is everything as an event manager. The more events you’ll organise the more your knowledge will grow and your events will only get better and better.

‍

3. Embrace your creative side

Communication and organisation are key but so is creativity. No one wants to attend a boring event, so look for inspiration outside your industry. What are other people doing? How can you make it your own? How are you going to stand out from the crowd? This will probably involve multiple team planning sessions where you can brainstorm ideas and think outside the box.‍

Creativity is also key when something goes wrong. In your career no matter how diligent you are at planning an event, things will happen that are out of your control, which means you'll have to think outside the box and get creative with your solutions. ‍Being flexible and creative will help provide you with solutions to your problems. 

‍

4. Use the right event planning software

Embrace technology. Using technology to your advantage is how you become a good event manager. There’s no way you can complete your budget, and to-do lists and plan on a single spreadsheet without being completely overwhelmed. Event management software can help you manage your budget and your deadlines easily.‍

For instance, Asana is a great tool that you can use to assign and track tasks within your team. With online software like this, everyone is on the same page and your team can all work collaboratively towards the same goal.

5. Find a venue you know and trust

Event Managers spend so much time on site visits that it can often take time from other important responsibilities. Here at HeadBox, our dedicated Account Managers are on hand to help you find the perfect venue to fit your brief.

This gives you one less thing to worry about but also opens you up to all the new and exciting venues across the city. With an extensive inventory of London venues, our Account Managers will be sure to find the perfect venue for you.‍

Sourcing the right venue is not only important for you but also for your guests. The venue is the first impression your guests will have of your event and it has the opportunity to leave a powerful lasting impression on them too.‍

Think about your audience and the aim of your event. Do you want an unusual venue, perhaps an indoor mini golf venue or maybe an old-school cinema screen? Maybe you need your traditional conference room or perhaps an intimate workshop space. We have it all.‍

‍

6. Think like an attendee

It's easy to become detached from an event you've been so consumed with from a strategic planning position. Stop and think about your event from the attendee’s point of view. Thinking from different perspectives is how to be a good event manager.‍

What will they see first? How easy is it to navigate? How many toilets are there? Perhaps run through the event plan with a colleague, as a pair of fresh eyes may help you spot problems before they arise.‍

‍

7. Be a trendsetter

Innovation is key in the events industry. The circuit can be small and many people go to the same events. Being innovative allows you to be memorable and that’s at the top of everyone’s wish list. Incorporating groundbreaking technology into your events is a top tip for successful event management.‍

Everyone is looking for new and exciting technological developments and people want to see something they've never seen before. Perhaps you’ll try something innovative like augmented reality. Or maybe you'll want something novel like a portrait-producing coffee machine? Be bold, and think about what will leave a lasting impression.

‍

‍8. Don't be afraid to network

The events industry is built on connections. Becoming a successful event manager also means becoming a great networker. The more connections you can make, the better. Approach every encounter with genuine interest and you'll be sure to go far and make some interesting and important connections. If you want some tips on how to network flawlessly take a look at our step-by-step guide to becoming a flawless networker.‍

‍

So, there you have it – our top tips for how to be a good event manager. No matter what stage you’re at in your career, these tips will help you on your way to being the best event manager you can be.