Table of contents
- They are good with people
- They are flexible
- They are good listeners
- They are organised
- They are passionate
- They are good communicators
- They stay calm under pressure
- They solve problems creatively
- They are decisive
- They have experience
Why event management is one of the most demanding professio
Did you know that "event coordinator" was listed as the fifth most stressful job in 2016? Behind only military personnel, firefighters, airline pilots and police officers. Delivering events successfully takes a wide range of skills and nerves of steel.
To celebrate the everyday heroes of the events industry, here are the top 10 qualities of successful event managers.
1. They are good with people
The number one quality successful event managers share is their talent with people. They have to be comfortable connecting with senior executives, officials, suppliers, colleagues, sponsors, clients, staff and guests.
Working with that range of profiles means resolving conflict quickly, negotiating confidently and keeping your sense of humour. Remember to enjoy your work and the people you work with: they will want to work with you again. You cannot do it all alone, so building relationships is key.
2. They are flexible
Event managers have to act as concierge and firefighter at once. Clearing up messes and putting out fires quickly, quietly and efficiently is part of the job. Stay calm, sort it out and get back to running the show.
3. They are good listeners
Understanding what your event's stakeholders actually want is critical. These people may not know the industry jargon or what is realistic, so you have to work out their needs and make sure everyone shares the same expectations.
Pay attention to what is said — and what is not said — in the key conversations. Picking up those spoken and unspoken needs will keep you a step ahead.
4. They are organised
Delivering any event means juggling dozens of tasks at once. That multitasking skill is needed both for smooth planning and for flawless delivery.
The best planners have foolproof systems, checklists and tech tools. Working in events means focusing on the big picture without losing sight of the small details. To avoid burnout, do not be afraid to delegate time-consuming tasks, and if something does not go to plan, always have a plan B.
5. They are passionate
With all the stress the job carries, you have to genuinely love what you do. Real passion helps you get over the bumps and stay fresh when everything looks lost. It also drives the creativity and inspiration to build something exceptional, rather than just ticking the boxes.
Time management can be learned, but passion cannot be taught, and you will need it to succeed. This job can be thankless at times: it has to be about more than a pay cheque.
6. They are good communicators
Clear, firm, friendly communication establishes the manager as the team's leader, keeps everyone aligned and makes sure the event's goals are clear to everyone involved.
Communicate respectfully, without talking down to anyone. Take criticism and stay open to new ideas. Everyone plays a part in an event's success, so make sure you address them clearly, confidently and firmly.
7. They stay calm under pressure
Your team will look to you for answers on almost everything. In stressful moments, the last thing they need is an unsteady leader making bad decisions because they cracked under pressure.
Successful event managers stay balanced and keep treating everyone with respect, whatever happens. Try to stay cool, calm and collected when dealing with other people, even with a knot of nerves inside.
8. They solve problems creatively
Whether it is finding emergency gaffer tape or reworking a presentation at the last minute, you have to be resourceful with what you have. However well you plan, something will go wrong, and it will be far easier to handle if you enjoy finding creative solutions to the challenges that come up.
9. They are decisive
Event managers have to make several decisions at once, and make them fast. And, perhaps most importantly, they have to recognise when it is too late to change those decisions, and have the resolve to stick with them.
10. They have experience
It will be far easier for people to trust you if you have experience behind you. Your job will also get simpler once you have seen the range of challenges an event can throw at you. An experienced manager also has a network of trusted professionals to call on when things get complicated.
If you do not have much experience yet, do not worry: it just takes time.
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