Prejudice Against Event Managers
How many times have you heard someone talking about the profession of event managers with ridicule? Did you happen to hear this is a job that gives a lot of money with not much effort and even less work along with throwing in some extra fun? You've probably heard and often listen to these and similar statements. People in the industry are familiar with clichés, falsehoods and prejudice, and unfortunately, they also know how much they sting.
Who needs an event manager?
Well, many. While for some hiring an event manager is an outstanding form of aid, for others it can be nothing more than a status symbol. You can say that you have the skill to plan an event by yourself instead of hiring a professional, but that does not mean you do not need one.
They are only having fun.
Yes, they are having fun in their spare time if they manage to find some and set it up for themselves with family or friends. But at work? Think twice. It's more than difficult to find entertainment when organizing entertainment for others!
Others are doing everything for them.
Quite the opposite, others perform given tasks on behalf of planners. The exceptional assignments are carried out by the managers themselves or under their close guidance.
Event manager is nothing more than a wedding/party organizer.
Even though some see organizing parties and weddings as the sole purpose of event planning business, the reality is more complex than one might think.
Huge festivals or large scale international meetings certainly require exquisite organization and companies to tackle it successfully.
However, even a most ordinary birthday party calls for skill, knowledge and utmost seriousness on the part of the organizer. Just because a birthday party with a clown is smaller than a conference on energy efficiency does not make it simpler or less important.
Special knowledge is not necessary.
The only thing that is not necessary, but desirable, is a university degree in event planning. Other than that, event planning is more than just mere inviting guests, setting chairs and bringing out snacks. Special knowledge and skills along with specific innate qualities are all-important. Some of that essential knowledge is based on experience and mistakes while other can be acquired through available literature, seminars and discussions with colleagues.
Work ends on the day of the event.
This cannot be further from the truth! By the time the guests start arriving, the job is half done. At this moment, the stress, tension, monitoring and involvement are at its peak.
Moreover, when the event is over, there comes the after party; sadly, it does not include hands in the air for the planner.
It means head over errands such as sending thank you notes to the participants, collecting feedback and making notes for future events.
One badly organized event means the end of the career.
Mistakes happen to the best of us! One unsuccessful event does not mean you are not the right person for the job or that no one will ever hire you. It is important to learn by doing, know your flaws and prevent erring big. What counts is how you deal with the storm.
Speed dial solves everything.
Yes, almost everything. Event managers have their own external associates who guarantee quality, safe and timely delivery. But, having someone on the speed dial is another thing that does not come easy in any profession. In most cases, companies and managers had to fail and feel the burn on their own skin before opting for a supplier, associate and staff.
Event management and event planning fall into the category of most stressful jobs, where attention to detail and making people happy don’t really count as mitigating circumstances.
Things might come up roses if you watch a movie and figure “Oh, for that amount of money I can do the same.” Can you? If you're in business of event organization you already know where to place the above statements. Furthermore, if you are thinking to start or are starting your own business, do not pay attention rather grow a thick skin and focus on your success.