What skills do you need in event management

Have you ever been to a huge event and wondered how it was all coordinated behind the scenes, down to each exact minute? The answer is: highly skilled event managers.

Event management is a rewarding, high-energy field with endless opportunities for creativity and career growth. There are many different career niches across event management you can occupy. From planning music festivals to private events, corporate conferences, weddings, trade fairs, literature festivals or working in venues: event management offers a wide and exciting range of possibilities.

If you're considering a career in event management, it's essential to know the key skills to develop that will help you thrive under the diverse demands of this broad industry.

So, what are the key skills for event management? Below, we’ll explore the 6 most essential skill sets for anyone aspiring to become an event manager, regardless of which specific niche you might enter into - as well as some different ways you can already start developing these skills.

Six top skills for event managers

1. People skills: Building, maintaining and managing relationships

More than anything else, people skills are at the heart of every successful event manager’s toolkit. Since events require coordination across multiple teams, clients, and vendors, effective interpersonal and ‘soft skills’ are invaluable for building strong relationships and meeting clients' needs. Events can also sometimes be stressful, so practising maintaining good communication under pressure is important. Event managers will need to:

• Engage with diverse personalities, from entertainers to corporate executives
• Actively listen
• Remain calm
• Empathise under pressure
• Delegate effectively
• Manage teams and to understand each person’s role and priorities.

For example, when planning a large wedding, an event manager needs to work closely with the bride, groom, their families, entertainers and multiple vendors. It’s an emotional day, and couples are often stressed during the organisation process. Each interaction will benefit from clear communication, empathy, and a friendly attitude: these people skills can ease tensions, help to address concerns early and make everyone feel valued during each step of the process. Fostering a positive and calm attitude will not only make the planning process smoother but also increase the chances of repeat business and referrals.

2. Problem-solving skills: Thinking on your feet

In events, you have to expect the unexpected. Issues are bound to come up—whether it’s an unexpected thunderstorm on an outdoor event day, a vendor not showing up, or last-minute technical issues with audio-visual equipment. An event manager’s ability to adapt quickly and solve problems on the spot can make or break an event. Effective problem-solving under pressure means:

• Assessing the issue quickly and calmly,
• Finding the quickest and most practical solution
• Communicating clearly with all staff and teams what needs to be done
• Keeping the event running smoothly.

For example, imagine you’re the event manager of a conference where an important guest speaker cancels at the last minute. As an event manager, it’s crucial to have a contingency plan, such as; arranging backup speakers, preparing alternative activities, or quickly rearranging the event timeline to minimise disruptions to the attendees. Having problem-solving skills ensures you’re prepared to address unforeseen challenges without causing noticeable interruptions to the event flow.

3. Attention to detail: Planning everything carefully

Contrary to what you might have heard, paying ‘attention to detail’ is not a personality trait: it’s actually a skill that you can learn and practice. Events require meticulous planning and careful execution, which is why being detail-oriented is essential to practise. Whether it’s ensuring that the guest list is accurate, verifying dietary restrictions, or double-checking the timing of presentations, paying attention to every small detail prevents mistakes and creates a seamless experience for attendees.

Consider the complexity involved in planning a corporate gala dinner, for example. From arranging seating and designing the menu to allow for different dietary requirements for each individual to managing sound and lighting: each detail contributes to the guest experience. An event manager who is detail-oriented will create thorough checklists, verify each component, organise contingencies (such as preparing extra vegetarian meals just in case) and perform final walkthroughs to guarantee everything is just right. By focusing on the details, you ensure that the event meets or exceeds client expectations and everyone is happy on the evening.

4. Organisational skills: Managing multiple moving parts

A big part of the event manager's role is organisation, planning and logistics. Event managers juggle many responsibilities simultaneously, making good organisational skills an absolute must. Planning an event typically involves coordinating with multiple teams, tracking budgets, monitoring timelines, and ensuring compliance with venue regulations — all of which require strong organisational skills, such as:

• Time management
• Working to deadlines
• Delegating tasks
• Organising staff schedules
• Planning event schedules
• Running marketing campaigns
• Booking venues
• Coordinating with vendors
• Organising event licensing and legal permissions.

A well-organised event manager will start by creating a detailed project plan, dividing tasks into manageable phases, and setting up a timeline that accounts for deadlines and potential delays.

For example; if you’re organising a large outdoor festival, you’ll need to manage logistics for everything from stage setup to ticket sales, food and beverage vendors, and security. By keeping everything organised, you ensure nothing is overlooked and that each part of the event is completed on time.

5. Creativity: Designing unique and memorable experiences for clients

Of course, event managers need to be organised, but it’s creativity that sets great event managers apart. Understanding the role of art, design and theatrics in events is essential to creating unique concepts and memorable experiences. Whether you’re brainstorming a theme, choosing the decor, organising interactive activities, branding the event, or finding fresh ways to use a venue, the creative design allows you to organise events that can ‘wow’ guests and help you stand out from the competition.

For example, imagine you’re working for a boutique events agency and you’ve been tasked with managing a themed event: a ‘Vintage Hollywood’ fundraising evening. You need to exercise your creative muscle to design decor and lighting, create ambience, choose a venue and book entertainment to fit the theme. From sourcing vintage props to incorporating a swing band, it’s your creative design approach to event management that turns a regular event into an extraordinary experience.

6. Budgeting and financial skills: Maximise resources

Every event has a budget: effective management of that budget is key to planning a successful event within the financial constraints set by your client. Event managers need to allocate resources wisely, negotiate vendor and entertainer contracts, and monitor spending closely to avoid budget overruns. Some essential financial skills that every event manager needs to have include:

• Writing a financial blueprint
• Developing a budget
• Allocating resources
• Negotiating prices
• Bookkeeping and reporting
• Industry knowledge of prices and vendors

For example, if you are running a birthday event for a private client who has a limited budget, an experienced event manager might be able to negotiate lower rates with vendors in exchange for a long-term partnership, or identify creative ways to creatively reduce costs without compromising quality. Understanding where to prioritise spending helps you to deliver high-quality events that meet client expectations while staying within budget.

How to develop your event management skills

Building these skills listed above is a continuous process, and there are many different ways to start enhancing your capabilities even as a student. Here are a few ways to get hands-on experience and develop your event management skills:

1. Choose a course that includes internships, training and placements

When you study event management, you will get to learn some of the skills listed above, such as bookkeeping, event planning or developing a marketing timeline, directly in the classroom. However, it’s also essential to develop some of these other skills, such as people skills, through experience and training. When you get your Bachelor of Event Management or equivalent course, make sure you choose an industry-focused institution that offers on-the-job training or internships as part of the course: and not just as an optional side project. 

Internships or industry placements offer invaluable experience and insights into how events are managed professionally. Some universities, including Torrens University Australia, have industry partnerships with hotels, hospitality operators and events companies that provide opportunities for hands-on learning in many of these key skill areas. These offer structured ways in which you can study the realities of event planning on the job, and practice key skills in a controlled setting.

2. Take advantage of part-time work in event-related roles

Part-time roles such as an event assistant, customer service assistant, hospitality or catering staff, or hotel front desk positions are ideal roles for honing your people skills and soft skills. In these events-adjacent roles, you can also practise bookkeeping, time management, attention to detail and overall planning and organisation. Plus, gaining practical experience in events and hospitality helps you to develop the ability to remain calm and solve problems under pressure.

3. Volunteer for on-campus events at your university

If you’re studying for a Bachelor of Business (Event Management) or something similar, look right on campus for your first event management experience. University campuses often hold events like open days, student fairs, or sports days that require event staff. Volunteering for these events allows you to work closely with experienced coordinators, build relationships, and develop teamwork skills. It’s a hands-on way to learn about the planning, setup, and execution stages of event management, in a low-pressure and friendly environment.

4. Freelance some private events for friends and family

Freelancing is an excellent way to start building your portfolio. Consider helping your friends and family organise private gatherings, like birthday parties or small weddings. This can help you develop your creativity, and negotiation skills, and gain real-world experience without the high-stakes pressure of organising large events for clients.

By developing these skills, you’ll be well-equipped to tackle the challenges of an event management career and to create really unique and memorable events.