Event management is very closely related to advertising and marketing. Events can be thought of as another means of advertising and brand building. Courses in Event management involves conceptualizing, planning, organizing and finally executing an event which could be a concert, a conference, an exhibition, a product or a brand launch, an international celebrity appearance or even a fashion or charity show.

This industry is only about ten years old in India, but holds but is slated to hit the Rs 500 crore mark in the next five years.

The two routes into this sector are:

An Events Coordinator with a corporate, handling their launches and publicity events. This role in India is mostly merged with the Public Relations Management or Marketing and Advertising role

An Events Management Entrepreneur, working on projects with varied corporate clients. While this industry attracts many creative, enthusiastic youth, distinguishing oneself and building a client network take time and many young entrepreneurs drop out of the race.

 The Job

Event management requires visualization, creativity, meticulous planning and venue management.

• Understand the product, brand or theme behind the event

• Visualize the event, imagining its broad structure and details of design and logistics

• Plan the execution of the idea, its logistics and its technical details

• Coordinate services and supplies like light projectors, sound specialists, food vendors, costumes etc depending on the nature of the event

• Manage the venue i.e. hospitality and security arrangements during he event

An event management entrepreneur holds the additional responsibilities managing the affairs of the business.

• Running an office and managing a small team of employees

• Bringing in business through networking and active marketing

• Managing finances and the fluctuating cash flow typical of the business

• Motivating oneself and one’s employees

People in the industry count the pluses as being the opportunity to travel, to be creative, to work on varied projects and to meet many different types of people.

The cons include financial risk and liability and unpredictable schedules which often-requiring one to work late hours.

 Personality Traits

• Creativity, imagination and the enthusiasm to do new things

• Organizational skills to manage people and resources to meet deadlines

• A multi skilled personality that can plan, design, negotiate and lead people

• An extraverted personality that loves meeting people and keeping in touch. Networking is crucial especially for a event management entrepreneur

• Attention to detail, patience

• Ability to work under pressure and manage last minute mishaps

 Salaries

• The corporate sector will pay starting salaries between Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lac per annum for those without experience.

• An MBA will fetch you starting salaries of about Rs 1 – 2 lacs per annum.

• With 6- 8 years experience, one could be earning high – end salaries in the range of Rs 8 – 10 lacs per annum.

As an entrepreneur, of course, earnings are unpredictable. All you need to begin is a phone, a fax machine and a first project. The industry is expanding at a very fast pace and should accommodate many successful entrepreneurs before it peaks. However, one’s earnings are dependent on one’s entrepreneurial skills.

For most young people, it makes sense to join either an event management firm or the public relations department of a company before striking out on their own.

 Study Routes

Many independent event managers do not have formal education in the field. Practical experience in the field is the best training that anyone in the field could have. Experience in marketing, vendor services, and time management are key training attributes.

A post graduate degree in Public relations, Marketing, Advertising, Human resources, or General business management would be useful and would command a starting premium in the corporate sector.

What is often more critical is one’s experience in handling events of many types and one’s reputation or references.

A high school or undergraduate student hoping to enter the field should build experience through projects and internships. It is also a great idea to volunteer at college and community events and take on responsibility. This will both hone one’s skills and provide future employers with proof of one’s abilities and enthusiasm.

 Best Places to study

Undergraduate courses in Public Relations – 4 to 6 month diplomas

• The Advertising Academy, BE-303, 1st Floor, Hari Nagar, New Delhi

• Centre For Image Management Studies, Image House, D 126, Sector 40, Noida

Postgraduate courses in Public Relations

• University of Mumbai, M G Road, Fort, Mumbai - 400 032. (Degree)

• Indian Institute of Mass Communication, JNU campus, New Delhi.

• Bhartiya Vidya Bhavans at Delhi, Calcutta, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad and Bangalore.

• St. Xavier's College of Communications, Mumbai 400001.

• Sophia College, BKSomani Polytechnic, Mumbai.

• Symbiosis Institute of Journalism & Communication, Senapati Bapat Marg, Pune

• YMCA Institute of Media Studies, New Delhi.

• Somaiya College of Management, Mumbai.

• New Dehi Polytechnic for Women, New Delhi.

• YWCA, New Delhi.

• Narsee Monjee Institute, V L Mehta Road, Ville Parle, Mumbai.

• School of Communication and Management, Cochin.

• India Foundation for Public Relations Education and Research (IFPR) S-237, GK, New Delhi-110048.

• Centre for Image Management Studies, Image House, D 126, Sector 40, Noida.

Colleges Overseas

USA

• Westminster College

• Princeton university

• Boston University, College of Communication

• Rowan University

• University of Illinois at Springfield

• University of Southern Mississippi

• Ball State University

UK

• University of Kentucky

• University College Falmouth

Australia

• Williams Business College

• Macleay College, Sydney

• Public Relations Institute Of Australia

Few useful links:

http://www.shiksha.com/

http://hospitality.shiksha.com/getCategoryPage/colleges/hospitality/All/All/Event-Management