Business Development Courses

Business Development: Overview

There is significant growth in the business industry in the recent years and organisations involved in event management span both the public and private sectors. These companies vary from small consultants to large multinational organisations.

Organisations where event management teams may be found include:
• Specialist event management consultancies
• Conference and exhibition centres
• Events venues
• Large commercial organisations
• Charities
• Hotels
• Public attractions
• Universities
• Local authorities

Many large organisations will handle all aspects of event management in-house, or in some cases outsource some of the more specialist activity to relevant suppliers/organisations.

Expected Salary

• Range of typical starting salaries: £14,000 - £21,000
• Range of typical mid-level salaries: £21,000 - £35,000
• Range of typical salaries at senior level/with experience (e.g. after 10 - 15 years in the role): £35,000 - £60,000

Training

Training depends on the size of the organisation. Training is usually offered through short courses which are either run in-house or externally. The typical areas that are covered in these courses include:

• Customer care
• Finance
• Health and safety
• IT

Working alongside experienced colleagues is also an option to develop skills. There are many external training providers that provide a range of training in different areas in the business development sector. Visit Underoak website for information about courses and training providers.

The following organisations offer part-time and distance learning courses relevant to the events industry:

• Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM)
• Association for Conferences and Events (ACE)
• Society of Event Organisers (SEO)
• Association of Exhibition Organisers (AEO)
• Association of British Professional Conference Organisers (ABPCO)

Courses offered by these professional bodies cover a range of topics related to events management, including how to plan effective marketing events and exhibitions, sponsorship selling techniques, health and safety and risk assessment.

Some of the organisations listed above also provide student membership and run seminars relevant to people working within the events industry. Check their websites for further details.

Underoak lists many short courses to aid you in your career progression. These may be funded individually or through your company. To search these courses, simply type the relevant key words and click on ‘request further information’ to send your enquiry direct to the trainer.

Related Careers

• Catering manager
• Conference centre manager
• Hotel manager
• Marketing executive
• Public relations account executive
• Public relations officer
• Retail manager
• Sales executive
• Tourism officer

Useful Links

Core Skills

The following degree / HND subjects may increase the chances when entering the business sector although many positions are open to all graduates:

• Event management/co-ordination
• Hotel or catering management
• Leisure and tourism
• Business
• Marketing

The event management sector is expanding as the business sector is expanding. There are many opportunities for young professionals and there is potential to grow within the sector. Unlike other sectors event management involves a lot of organising skills and management skills. However potential candidates will need to show evidence of the following:

• Project management experience
• Time-management skills
• Problem-solving skills
• The ability to cope with pressure and work to tight deadlines
• Attention to detail
• Customer focus
• Strong communication skills
• Knowledge of sales and/or marketing
• The ability to manage budgets
• A flexible and adaptable approach
• Teamworking skills
• Confidence with IT

Personal skills and qualities are highly valued by employers so it is advisable to develop these attributes through work experience where possible. You may be interested in further information about work experience and further study.

Job Sites

Average working hours per week

Job Description

Job Title

The Role

Event organisers are involved in the organisation of events from conception through to completion. Events can include:

• Exhibitions and fairs
• Festivals
• Conferences
• Promotions and product launches
• Fundraising and social events

They work in both the public and private sector and can work for event management companies, in-house for an organisation or freelance. The role of event organiser is hands-on and often involves working as part of a team. Event organisers must be able to complete a wide range of activities requiring clear communication and excellent organisational skills and must respond quickly to change, ensuring the smooth and efficient running of an event.

Tasks may include:
• Researching markets to identify opportunities for events
• Liaising with clients to ascertain their precise event requirements
• Producing detailed proposals for events (e.g. timelines, venues, suppliers, legal obligations, staffing and budgets)
• Securing and booking a suitable venue or location
• Ensuring insurance, legal, health and safety obligations are adhered to
• Co-ordinating venue management, caterers, stand designers, contractors and equipment hire
• Planning room layouts and the entertainment programme, scheduling workshops and demonstrations
• Organising facilities for car parking, traffic control, security, first aid, hospitality and press
• Identifying and securing speakers or special guests
• Co-ordinating staffing requirements and staff briefings
• Selling sponsorship/stand/exhibition space to potential exhibitors/partners
• Arranging accommodation for exhibitors and/or delegates
• Preparing delegate packs and papers
• Creating, implementing and monitoring marketing and PR plans
• Liaising with clients and designers to create a brand/look for the event
• Liaising with newspapers, TV, radio and other media
• Writing press releases or briefs in order to gain maximum exposure for the event
• Organising the design and production of tickets, posters, catalogues and sales brochures
• Co-ordinating everything on the day of the event to ensure that all runs smoothly
• Handling client queries on the day and troubleshooting exhibitor and visitor problems on the day
• Overseeing the dismantling and removal of the event, and clearing the venue efficiently
• Post-event evaluation (including data entry and analysis and producing reports for event stakeholders)

Salary:

Range of typical mid-level salaries: £21,000 - £35,000 (depending on the organisation and experience)

Career Development

Event management is fast growing and competitive sector in the business world. As many companies grow in the business sector more companies depend on event management companies of employee people to form a separate department for even organising. There is potential to expand within the event management sector or grow into the business sector. This depends on how successful one could be in the post, and the ability to demonstrate key skills and qualities in practice.

Career path vary from organisation to another. Promotions may involve a move from assistant to team leader which is a managerial position and account manager who is in charge or various projects. With experience, an event organiser is likely to take on responsibility for larger scale events, which are more complex to manage and involve higher profile clients and bigger budgets.