Events and conference management

This page has been designed to give a starting point for those looking into careers in events and conference management.

What is events and conference management?

The industry is primarily concerned with serving the public, so you'll need to demonstrate communication and interpersonal skills as well as patience, diplomacy and tact.

Jobs in this field require good organisational and teamwork skills. Firms are happy to accept CVs from graduates with degrees in any discipline, although candidates with qualifications in event management, marketing, business communication or related subjects will be looked upon favourably'.

Some kind of relevant experience is important - employers like to see that applicants have direct experience, or at least some knowledge of the industry. Most firms do recruit graduates, though the industry is not geared towards graduate training. (AEO).

  • Prospects
    Prospects is a graduate careers website with job profiles, including conference centre organiser, event organiser.
  • Prospects has also published a Hospitality Sector Briefing.
  • Targetjobs: Hospitality, leisure and tourism
    Targetjobs is a graduate careers website with the following sector information.
  • People 1st
    This is the sector skills council for hospitality, leisure, travel and tourism. It has a careers section which details the roles in these sectors, the best companies to work for and information about the labour market in these sectors.

How do I get into it?

'Firms are happy to accept CVs from graduates with degrees in any discipline, although candidates with qualifications in event management, marketing, business communication or related subjects will be looked upon favourably. Some kind of relevant experience is important - employers like to see that applicants have direct experience, or at least some knowledge of the industry'.

Although no formal qualifications are required to enter the events and exhibition industry at present, there are courses which would provide an added advantage to those applying for jobs:

Finding a job or employer in this sector

Companies

The AEO explains that:
'Most firms do recruit graduates, though the industry is not geared towards graduate training. There are at present no formal graduate training schemes.  For speculative approaches the best bet is to apply to larger organisations. Some of the larger firms are listed on the AEO website. (Association of Exhibition Organisers)

  • Association of British Professional Conference Organisers
    Lists members by area. A good networking resource
  • Imagination
    Imagination in Europe, a design and communications consultancy, offer a bespoke event service.
  • Sodexho Prestige
    Sodexho Prestige is the UK's largest event caterer and provider of corporate hospitality packages.  They often recruit placement students and graduates. 
  • Sorted PR
    Sorted Public Relations provides an event management consultancy that produces a number of tailored campaigns and events. 
  • Theme Traders
    A creative events and party planning company.
  • Uniquethinking
    Uniquethinking is a Public Relations consultancy based in Newcastle in the North East of England, which offer an event management service.

Recruitment agencies

Other vacancy sources

Trade associations

Trade publications

The trade journals 'Hospitality' and 'Caterer and Hotel Keeper' are available in Queenwood Library, Eastbourne.

The local area

The local events industry is hard to define. Although often described as a service, the diversity of events industry means that it cannot be easily described in terms of single sector. The following links are examples of local industry sectors that are related to events management:

Other information sources

Key points

  • The industry is primarily concerned with serving the public.
  • Jobs in this field require good organisational and teamwork skills.
  • Relevant experience is important.
  • Most firms do recruit graduates, though the industry is not geared towards graduate training.