Event managers plan, coordinate and deliver events from the initial concept through to the event itself and the follow-up afterwards. Their work can include managing venues, suppliers, budgets, schedules, production, staff, logistics and guest experiences.
But what does that actually look like day to day?
From corporate conferences and product launches to festivals, exhibitions, tourism events and major celebrations, event managers are responsible for bringing many different moving parts together to create a successful event.
For anyone considering a career in event management, understanding what happens behind the scenes is a good place to start.
Below, we break down the roles & responsibilities, the skills & training required and the possible career paths .
An event manager is responsible for planning and delivering an event and making sure the different people, suppliers, services and activities involved come together at the right time.
Depending on the event, an event manager may:
The exact responsibilities depend on the type and size of event and the organisation you work for.
An event manager working on a large conference may have very different responsibilities from someone producing a music festival, corporate incentive trip or hotel event.
The common thread is coordination: making sure all the different elements work together to deliver the intended experience.
A large amount of event management happens before anyone arrives at the event.
Before an event, an event manager may work on the concept, budget, venue, suppliers, schedule, staffing, production requirements, guest communications and risk planning.
They may also conduct site inspections, organise equipment, coordinate contractors and create detailed run sheets that outline what needs to happen and when.
This planning stage is critical because once an event begins, there may be very little room for error.
FCTA Events student Ben recently had the opportunity to see this process first-hand at an FCM event.
Rather than simply experiencing the finished event, Ben was involved in the setup and saw how different production elements came together.
“My highlight would be the first part of it when I was joining the setup and watched how they coordinate the lights and the sound, and watching the rehearsals.”
For Ben, seeing the lighting and sound coordination and watching rehearsals gave him new insight into how an event is produced.
He also made new connections within the FCM business, another important part of building a career in events.
On event day, an event manager coordinates the people, suppliers, schedule and operations needed to make sure the event runs as planned.
Depending on the event, this might involve:
This is where planning and problem-solving skills become particularly important.
A supplier might arrive late. A speaker might change their presentation. Technology might stop working. A schedule might need to change.
Event managers need to assess what is happening, make decisions and keep the event moving.
An event coordinator generally focuses on coordinating the practical details of an event, while an event manager may have broader responsibility for planning, managing and delivering the overall event.
However, the titles are not always used consistently.
An event coordinator might help manage suppliers, registrations, schedules, venues and event-day logistics.
An event manager may have additional responsibility for budgets, clients, teams, strategy, suppliers and the overall delivery of the event.
In some organisations, the roles overlap significantly.
For someone starting a career in events, an Event Coordinator role can be a great way to build the practical experience needed to progress into event management.
Event managers need strong organisational, communication, teamwork and problem-solving skills, along with attention to detail and the ability to work under pressure.
Some of the most important skills include:
Events involve many deadlines, tasks, suppliers and people. Being organised helps keep everything moving in the right direction.
Event managers communicate with clients, suppliers, venues, colleagues, contractors, speakers and attendees. Clear communication is essential.
Unexpected issues are part of live events. Event professionals need to be able to assess a problem quickly and find a practical solution.
Large events are delivered by teams. Understanding how to work with different people and coordinate their responsibilities is a major part of the job.
Small details can have a significant impact on an event, from guest lists and room layouts to signage, schedules and technical requirements.
Events operate according to deadlines. When guests are due to arrive at a particular time, the venue, staff, suppliers and production all need to be ready.
Plans can change. Successful event professionals need to be comfortable adapting when circumstances change.
Event managers can work across almost any industry that plans and delivers events.
Common types of events include:
This variety is one of the attractions of an event management career.
Your career could take you from a conference centre to a hotel, from a corporate office to a major festival, or from a tourism company to an international event.
Event managers can work for specialist event agencies, venues and hotels, or within the events, marketing or business teams of larger organisations.
Potential employers include:
Events can also overlap with other industries, including travel, tourism, hospitality, marketing and business.
This means an event management career doesn't necessarily follow one fixed path.
A qualification and experience in events can lead to a range of roles, including:
Event Coordinator
Coordinates the practical details involved in planning and delivering events.
Event Manager
Plans and manages events, including budgets, suppliers, teams, clients and event delivery.
Conference & Events Coordinator
Coordinates conferences, meetings and corporate events, often within hotels, venues or businesses.
Venue Coordinator
Helps organise and deliver events at a particular venue.
Event Producer
Focuses on the production and technical delivery of events, which can include staging, lighting, sound and audiovisual elements.
Exhibition Coordinator
Helps plan and deliver exhibitions, trade shows and industry events.
Event Operations Coordinator
Focuses on the practical logistics and operational delivery of an event.
As your experience grows, you may also move into senior management, event production, marketing, communications, tourism or broader business roles.
There are several pathways into event management, but studying an event-related qualification and gaining practical industry experience can provide a strong foundation for a career.
Students can develop knowledge of event planning, tourism, hospitality, business and event operations through formal study while also looking for opportunities to gain real-world experience.
Industry exposure can be particularly valuable because it allows students to see how events operate beyond theory.
That's what made Ben's FCM experience valuable. He was able to see the setup, lighting, sound and rehearsals and gain a better understanding of how an event is actually produced. His advice to other students was:
“Definitely make the most of the night and do your best so the event can run smoothly and it makes it more enjoyable.”
Can you study event management after completing a diploma?
Yes. A diploma can provide a pathway into further university study in event management.
At Flight Centre Travel Academy, students can study the Diploma of Travel and Tourism, an industry-connected qualification covering the broader travel and tourism industry.
The diploma can provide a pathway into the Bachelor of Business (Event Management) at Torrens University Australia.
Eligible students can enter directly into Year 2 of the Bachelor of Business (Event Management), allowing them to continue their studies with a university-level specialisation in event management.
This pathway can be particularly appealing for students who want to begin with a practical travel and tourism qualification before progressing into a bachelor's degree.
What can you do with an event management qualification?
An event management qualification can help prepare you for careers across events, tourism, hospitality, travel, business and related industries.
Depending on your interests and experience, your career could lead towards event coordination, event management, event production, conferences, exhibitions, venues, festivals, corporate events or tourism.
You don't necessarily have to decide exactly where you want your career to go before you start studying.
One of the benefits of the events industry is the range of directions available as you gain experience.
Start exploring a career in events
Event management is about much more than organising a party or choosing a venue.
It combines planning, people, logistics, production, creativity and problem-solving — often all happening at the same time.
And sometimes the best way to understand the industry is to see it in action.
For Ben, getting involved in the setup of an FCM event and seeing the lighting, sound and rehearsals provided a glimpse into the work that happens before guests ever arrive.
For students considering a career in events, those real-world experiences can help turn an interest in the industry into a clearer idea of where a career could take you.
Interested in exploring event management as a career? Discover the Flight Centre Travel Academy Work Study + Events program with it's pathway to the Bachelor of Business (Event Management) at Torrens University Australia.