Essentials of a Good Event Management Course
By Pravin Joshi
What all should be included in a good Event Management Course
Events are part of our life since time immemorial. Birthdays, weddings, get-togethers and festivals were celebrated with much fanfare. Then events were organised, not managed. Now with time, there is a big need to manage events as celebrations have crossed the household limits. Now every communication needs a well - designed event to get across the relevant target group. Corporates, business groups, social groups and even individuals treat every occasion as event. This has catapulted into developing event management as an industry unlocking tremendous opportunities for those who take their assignments and responsibilities as reasons to celebrate.
In the past 15 years the event management field has become extremely sought-after leading to spurt in untrained event professionals. But in this highly competitive world, trained managers need to be sieved through for a better ecosystem. Here comes the role of event management courses and study.
Event management is a rare combination of all streams – Art, Science and Commerce. Then the studies and courses too have to be specialised. A good event manager should not only have practical experience but also general management skills to deliver. A formal education in event management equips candidates with skills that help in better conceptualisation and delivery of events.
The courses are designed towards grooming even a below average candidate to a successful event manager. Right from handholding to planning and execution, event education has a lot to contribute in the career of an aspiring event manager. Let’s have a look at the ingredients of a good event management course. All these qualities are developed and honed during formal education in event management which develops enthusiasm and never-say-die spirit among candidates:
Strategy: Right strategy at right time and right place win the battle. It happens in all walks of life. In events, it becomes more important as events need lots of coordination between several nonrelated functions. So for a successful event you should have answers: why this event has been planned? For whom and how the event would be executed? The plan should be aligned with key targets from day one. If you can plan well, execution becomes much easier. So invest most of your time in strategising and then developing resources to execute the plan properly.
Clear communication: Events have a short life span but their memories are everlasting. One glitch and communication and everything is over. So for executing any action, clear and swift communication is very important. Communication should be straight and well directed. Management depends heavily on clarity and confidence of communication. In any event of grand scale with hundreds of people involved, communication plays a major role. That is the reason everyone is connected with each other through walkie-talkie or other such instruments which can convey message fast and accurate. Right from the planning stage to the culmination accuracy and speed of message matter. A single blip can spoil the party. So keep a straight channel of communication between stakeholders and parties involved.
Teamwork: Event is all about coordination and assembling. It’s like pack of cards placed in a decorated plate. One shift here and there and the pack falls. For organising quality events, you need to have a great team. The support, dedication and commitment of a dedicated team of professionals can only deliver desired results. To make every member participate and pitch in your scheme of things you first become a team player. Involve them and keep all channels of communication open. Keep every member posted about development and prepare them to work together to meet success. It’s the team which succeeds in events, individual brilliance is only for appreciation.
Soft Skills: Good presentation skills do matter in event management field. Good presentation includes your grooming, your dressing, communication, mannerism and habits. For a successful event manager, you should develop good personality traits which can establish you as efficient and smart professional. These traits also help in managing stress and challenges that can arise at any stage in the event. It also makes you more confident in dealing with tough situation and fire fighting.
Never-say-die spirit: It’s the spirit which raises you high in life. And in events also, the more spirited you are better the chances of success. In a career of event management, many moments come when you feel like everything is lost. From that brink of defeat you have to pull out success and that can happen only when you are high in morale. The mental toughness comes with never-say-die spirit and undying commitment. Whether its entry level or at top, the scale of commitment should always be uncompromising. Your attitude will decide the course of your career and commitment of your peers and team members. Follow your mind and rule the hearts is the motto.
Management Skills: Event management is all adhering strict deadlines and unpredictable complications. Right from self-management to time a management and team management to resource management, events demand great project management skills. There is learning every day and every moment is a joy if situation is under control. So learn to tame situations and unpredictable circumstances, anticipate resolutions to sudden problems and work collaboratively in a high-pressure environment.
Do it differently: Style matters. And in event industry size does matter. Think big and execute even bigger is the mantra to make a distinction among bunch of good event managers. Creativity is one thing which has no bounds. So learn new things, explore unchartered territories and think differently to give out altogether different treatment to even a mundane event. Here exceptional experiences with new set of circumstances play a big role and your exposure to grand events help you to do better. Keep yourself abreast with latest trends and technologies used in event production to deliver the best and create a new style statement.
Business Acumen: Business acumen is another element which is needed to make a complete event manager. This can be developed and honed by getting into operational details for an event. For any event, a successful manager should make a proper budget keeping in mind every aspect. And then the funds should be judiciously utilised to make the event a profitable one. So, marketing communication and budgeting skills should also be updated time to time for success in event management.
About the Author:
Pravin Joshi
Pravin Joshi is the Director of National Academy of Event Management & Development.
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