The Top Skills Needed to Succeed in the Events Industry

The events industry is a difficult but rewarding sector to work in. Event planners are faced with many challenges that they need particular skills to overcome. As one of the top event companies in London, the Purple Patch Group has years of experience running successful events. Here’s our list of the top 7 skills you need to succeed in the events industry.

Organisation

Organisational skills are probably the most important ones you’ll need as an event planner. Every event, no matter how big or small, requires meticulous planning. Good organisation also includes solid multitasking. Event planners must deal with many moving parts – usually all at once.

Other aspects of an organisation are using helpful event planning tools and budgeting. Event tech used to function as an added bonus to planning events, but now it’s a necessity. Familiarity with the latest tools and their incorporation into your event plan boost your organisation considerably.

Event planners should also have a knack for budgeting, as they’ll usually be the final say on expenses and invoices. Keeping track of a budget is crucial, especially if you’re spending your client’s money on the event.

Networking

Event planners should also be adept at professional networking. In this industry, contacts are everything. Without your caterers, audio-visual agency, keynote speakers, and venue staff, your event cannot happen. Successful corporate events require the work of several teams across different industries. Keeping these contacts in your network makes your job as an event planner much easier. Once a while, you could host an industry-wide networking event to bring together all the valued people to discuss, exchange ideas, and build strong professional relationships. You can also host this online, taking a page from the book of companies like Goldcast to understand how you can better connect with the attendees during a virtual networking event.

You should, ideally, have contacts in each area. One of the most important contacts to have is venue owners. Without an amazing venue, there would be no event. If you’re planning an event in Dallas, it might be worth looking at the venue available at DFW Celebrations. That sort of venue would be ideal for corporate events or fundraisers.

Related to networking is another essential skill – negotiation. You’ll have to conclude contracts with all of your staff, so you should know how to close the best deal. The ability to get the best services for fair prices is an invaluable talent for event planners.

Adaptable

No event ever goes off without a hitch. Undoubtedly, there’s also something that comes up that event planners must react to quickly. A good measure of adaptability, flexibility, decisiveness, and good performance under pressure are all vital to your success as an event planner.

As an event planner, you’re working with teams of other people. Not everyone will have the same working style as you, so you should know how to leverage everyone’s talents for the benefit of the event. When something goes wrong in the middle of the event, planners who react confidently and quickly can keep things going without any guests even having noticed.

Creativity

The best events are the most memorable ones. They’re innovative and unique in their concept and design. Creative event planners aren’t afraid to push the boundaries a bit when it comes to event themes. They also have a keen eye for detail, knowing that the small things like table settings, menus, floorplans, and schedules are just as integral to the event’s success as the “big picture.” Successful event planners know that even the smallest details, such as flying a company flag (after checking the correct height of flagpole for the location) via a flagpole outside of the venue, is meaningful. Every last detail makes the event special, so a successful planner won’t miss a chance to decorate anything they can.

Customer Service

Good customer service is a must for the successful event planner. The events you plan are for the guests, after all! Creating the best experience for them, from preparation to remedying problems during the event, are hallmarks of successful event planners. Always keep your guests’ comfort in mind, since they are the beneficiaries of all your hard work.

Communication

At our London event company, we value communication highly. Good communication skills are needed for every aspect of event planning – with your client, with your staff, and with your guests. The inability to keep everyone updated will cause your event to break down.

You’ll also have to take on a leadership role as the event planner, managing your own team as well as others. Communication is elemental to leadership. Even if you’re naturally introverted, good management skills can be learned through practice. Often, good management and communication involve just listening to your staff.

Passionate

Finally, good event planners should love what they do! Having a passion for events contributes immensely to your success because you’re committed to the event’s success. People who enjoy what they do are also better to work with, being more dedicated, communicative, and open to learning new things. Having a feel for events, knowing what makes them work and what doesn’t, is also an inherent skill for event planners.

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, success as an event planner doesn’t come from checking skills off a list. It comes from passion, creativity, and hard work. The best event planners are able to translate their vision into a structured, organised event that guests and clients can enjoy. At our corporate event company in London, we pride ourselves on running successful events infused with creativity and innovation. And we’re confident that if you encapsulate these skills as an event planner, then you’ll be successful too.