Careers in the tourism and hospitality industry: Meetings & Events

The hospitality industry is a broad field of categories within the service industry. It includes marketing, and operations of restaurants and bars, accommodation, attractions, entertainment and recreation events, and travel-related services.

As discussed in our article on the overview of careers in hospitality and because it is such a diverse industry with so many job oppportunities to pursue, we are breaking it up into a few articles over the next few weeks. In this article we will discuss the career options in Meetings & Events.

“Listening is critical to leadership, and so is staying authentic. You do that and you will get loyalty, and then your role as a leader will be easy.” ― Mark Hoplamazian

Here are a few of the common Jobs in Meetings & Events:

Events Manager

Event managers perform duties such as sourcing and booking venues for functions. They are also the middleman between customers and suppliers. They are responsible for all the logistics behind the scenes and also manage budgets and ensure the smooth running of the event.

Responsibilities:

• Planning and implementing events.
• Formulating plans and concepts for events.
• Managing budgets.
• Supplier negotiating and liasing with third parties.
• Arranging sponsorships for events.
• Handling all the logistics for the event.
• Keeping senior management up-to-date.
• Corporate branding.
• Developing event feedback surveys.
• Obtaining permits.
• Providing senior management with reports.

To be successful as an Events Manager you should:

• Preferably have a Degree in public relations, communications, or hospitality.
• You should have exceptional communication and marketing skills.
• Strong negotiation skills.
• Experience managing projects..
• Excellent leadership and management skills.
• Be very organized and able to multi-task
• Time management and good interpersonal skills are a must.

Executive Conference Manager

As the name implies, a conference manager is responsible for planning and executing all conferences. They are responsible for dealing with a wide range of people. They work closely with all suppliers to ensure that the conference is a success.

Their responsibilities include but may not be limited to:

• Overseeing the planning and execution of conferences.
• Managing the financial aspects of the conference.
• Securing sponsorships, negotiating prices with suppliers, and managing budgets
• Making travel arrangements for speakers, guests, and event staff.
• Marketing the event through press releases, social media campaigns, advertisements, and other forms of media.
• Developing the conference agenda.
• Coming up with interesting topics and speakers.
• Providing customer service to attendees to ensure they have a positive experience at the conference
• Arranging all audiovisual equipment.
• Hiring event facilities.
• Collaborating with other staff members including management, catering managers, security personnel, and event managers.

To be successful as an Executive Conference Manager you should:

• Have a bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as business administration, marketing or communications.
• Some employers may accept candidates with years of relevant work experience in lieu of a bachelor’s degree.
• Have event planning, budgeting, marketing and hospitality experience.
• Outstanding communication and organisation skills.
• Leadership/management skills.
• Negotiation sklills.
• Problem solving skills and the ability to think on your feet.
• It is also imperative that you have exceptional time management skills and the ability to plan and execute events in a timely manner.

“To give real service you must add something which cannot be bought or measured with money, and that is sincerity and integrity.” ― Douglas Adams.

General Manager

General managers are tasked with overseeing daily business activities, improving overall business functions, training heads of departments, managing budgets, developing strategic plans, creating policies, forecasting and communicating business goals.The duties and responsibilities of a general manager also include the following:

• Overseeing daily business operations.
• Developing and implementing growth strategies.
• Training low-level managers and staff.
• Creating and managing budgets.
• Improving revenue.
• Hiring employees.
• Evaluating performance and productivity.
• Analyzing accounting and financial data.
• Researching and identifying growth opportunities.
• Generating reports and giving presentations.

General Manager Requirements:

• Degree in business management or a masters in business administration.
• Good knowledge of different business functions.
• Strong leadership qualities.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Highly organized.
• Strong work ethic.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Meticulous attention to detail.
• Computer literate.
• Proactive nature.

Convention Planner

oordinate, organize, and execute all kinds of special events. They may work in a variety of fields, handling all aspects of weddings, birthday parties, anniversaries, or corporate gatherings. Party planners frequently liaise with vendors and suppliers, but their core responsibilities vary depending on the job and the client. Additional duties will include:

• Identify the client’s requirements and expectations for each event.
• Liaise with vendors, exhibitors, and stakeholders during the event planning process to ensure everything is in order.
• Manage all event set-up, tear down, and follow-up processes.
• Maintain event budgets.
• Book venues, entertainers, photographers, and schedule speakers.
• Conduct final inspections on the day of the event to ensure everything adheres to the client’s standards.
• Assess an event’s overall success and submit findings.

Requirements to become a Convention Planner:

• At least 3 years’ experience as an event coordinator.
• Well-organized with excellent multi-tasking abilities.
• Outstanding vendor management skills.
• Bachelor’s degree in hospitality management or public relations is preferred.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

Event Coordinator

Event coordinators, also known as event specialists or event planners, are responsible for every aspect of event planning. Their main duties include selecting venues, determining the cost, arranging event services, and monitoring client approval. They may work for an events company or as a contractor. Responsibilities also include:

• Identify the client’s requirements and expectations for each event.
• Liaise with vendors, exhibitors, and stakeholders during the event planning process to ensure everything is in order.
• Manage all event set-up, tear down, and follow-up processes.
• Maintain event budgets.
• Book venues, entertainers, photographers, and schedule speakers.
• Conduct final inspections on the day of the event to ensure everything adheres to the client’s standards.
• Assess an event’s overall success and submit findings.

Requirements:

• At least 3 years’ experience as an event coordinator.
• Well-organized with excellent multi-tasking abilities.
• Outstanding vendor management skills.
• Bachelor’s degree in hospitality management or public relations is preferred.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

“Hospitality means primarily the creation of free space where the stranger can enter and become a friend instead of an enemy. Hospitality is not to change people, but to offer them space where change can take place. It is not to bring men and women over to our side, but to offer freedom not disturbed by dividing lines.” – Henri J. M. Nouwen.

Wedding Coordinator

Also known as bridal or wedding consultants, wedding planners are responsible for assisting clients in planning entire weddings or specific wedding activities. They discuss wedding logistics with clients, negotiate vendor contracts, and ensure that wedding-day activities run smoothly.

Wedding Coordinator responsibilities include:

• Conducting initial consultations with clients to discuss the wedding packages available, the type of wedding desired, and their wedding budget.
• Conferring with clients to discuss wedding details, including venue options as well as entertainment, catering, and decoration preferences.
• Scheduling meetings with clients to tour suitable wedding venues and meet with vendors, such as florists, photographers, caterers, bakers, and invitation designers.
• Negotiating contracts with selected vendors and making payments as required.
• Ensuring that wedding and rehearsal dinner invitations, as well as wedding programs and place cards, are printed on time.
• Arranging for necessary wedding supplies and equipment to be transported to the wedding venue in a timely manner.
• Ensuring that clients’ wedding gifts and personal property are packed away and secured in an assigned vehicle or storage room.
• Monitoring all wedding-day activities to ensure that everything runs smoothly.

Wedding Planner Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in hospitality management or related field is advantageous.
• Proven wedding or event planning experience.
• Proficient in all Microsoft Office applications.
• Sound knowledge of different religions and religious practices.
• Strong networking and negotiating skills.
• Excellent problem-solving, organizational, and time management skills.
• Exceptional communication and customer service skills.
• Detail-oriented, methodical, and creative.

“Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning. – Bill Gates “

The great thing about the hospitality industry is that it offers many entry-level job opportunities. This can help you get a foot in the door and you can work your way up to higher-level jobs.

Now that you understand the different jobs in meetings and events, you can decide which role best matches your skills and interests. When it comes to hospitality jobs, there are plenty of amazing opportunities available. Have a look through all of our online hospitality jobs to find your new job.

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