The best event managers hold a unique set of skills that allows them to transform each event into something spectacular that attendees will remember for a long time. In today’s market, event management has become highly competitive, with demands and professional standards higher than ever. Someone who can stay calm under pressure and lead a team to a successful event is a professional you want developing your event.
Experience is something that can’t be created out of thin air, and it often takes significant amounts of time to build a reputable business. Successful event planners and managers will possess great qualities, some of which are included below.
- Communication
Good communication and interpersonal skills are a sure sign of a strong professional. Being able to articulate ideas and goals while being clear and kind establishes respectable leadership. Events are all about meeting new people and sometimes even potential clients. An event manager worth their salt should be able to foster strong and lasting relationships with everyone they meet.
Communication isn’t just about connecting with people on a personal level; it’s about relating to other professionals as well. When working with numerous people, it’s important that an event manager knows each person plays a part and is respectful of everyone no matter their role.
To be a successful event manager, they should be comfortable connecting with all levels of professionals from the cream of the crop all the way to event staff and event attendees. Everyone is important. In addition, they should be able to successfully resolve conflicts pleasantly and maintain a strong resolve.
- Event organization
Events are the showcase for many companies, and an event manager is similar to the director of a play. They orchestrate and schedule every element of an event to ensure it’s successful at the end of the day. A professional with strong organizational abilities will possess the full range of management, communication, organization, and leadership qualities.
Not only are event managers excellent in organization, but they should always be one step ahead of everything. Creating and preparing for contingencies is a sign of a learned professional with extensive experience working events for all levels of clients.
- Leadership
Successful event managers hold remarkable leadership skills with a capacity for leading people. Being able to lead is a crucial skill when it comes to the success of a team of professionals. With aptitudes for managing staff, vendors, and sometimes the occasional unruly guest, leadership is a key skill in creating a strong and successful event.
An event manager will have to make tough decisions, and sometimes multiple ones all at once. When there is no time for delay, a good manager should be able to make those decisions under pressure and have the confidence that it’s the right one. Additionally, if it’s too late to change a decision, they need to be able to come up with a quick fix that doesn’t impact the quality of the event.
- Attention to detail and passion
The best event managers should love what they do and strive to do it well. Someone who has a passion for their job tends to be a lot more creative, which can result in one-of-a-kind events that impress all who attend. You can teach management abilities, but passion is something a professional has to have within him or herself.
Just as important as passion is an attention to detail. A professional who knows to focus on the little things is someone you want on your team. An event manager who remains on top of every little detail of an event because they know it matters shows real expertise. Additionally, someone with attention to detail will keep an eye on the expenditures and not push you to exceed your set budget.
If you have any questions or would like to speak with one of our experts about your next event, please contact us today.