OFO No: 333201

Other names for Event Manager:

• Conference and Event Organizer
• Conference Planner
• Destination Manager
• Event Planner
• Exhibition Director
• Exhibition Organiser
• Function Planner
• Functions Manager
• Government Protocol or Civic Event Organiser
• Marketing Campaign Organiser
• Social Life Cycle Coordinator
• Trade Fair Manager
• Wedding Planner

What is an Event Manager?

Do you have a creative flair and excellent communication skills? Are you friendly, outgoing and spontaneous and have the ability to manage people?

Considering a career in Event Management might be what you are looking for?

Event Managers are in charge and responsible for the event/s.

Events Managers plan and co-ordinate functions, for example:

• banquets
• festivals
• conferences
• product launches
• fund raising events
• grand openings
• road shows
• film premieres
• award ceremonies
• fashion shows
• concerts
• private events like weddings, bar mitzvahs and retirement parties etc. 

The list is actually endless.

Event Managers study the ins and outs of the brand.  They identify the brand’s target market/audience and design the event accordingly.  

Event management is considered one of the best marketing strategies used by companies of all sizes.  Event Management is both challenging and exciting.

It’s possible that more than one event will coincide with another.  It’s important that each event is treated as the most important event of the day.

What does an Event Manager do?

• liaises with prospective clients (private and corporate) – discusses their brand and requirements
• manages your event co-ordinator and team
• understands client needs
• negotiates contracts
• works out quotations
• plans the logistics
• finds suitable venues
• orders flowers and/or arrangements
• discusses menus with chefs or caterers
• hires of casual staff for the event
• hires the DJ or band or entertainment for the event
• arranges and hires of all equipment, plants, decorations and other specialised items
• trouble shoots – straightening out any unforeseen problems
• sticks to deadlines at all times
• analyses post-event data

Are you … ?

• extremely organised?
• a good manager?
• methodical?
• observant?
• creative?
• out-going?
• willing to work long and unusual hours?
• a person with strong communication skills?
• a team player?
• a multi-tasker?
• computer literate?
• a good record keeper?
• responsible and reliable?
• able to work under extreme pressure?

How do I become an Event Manager?

Many institutions offer further training in Event Management.

You can study a Certificate or National Diploma in Event Management at most:

• FET Colleges
• Universities of Technology
• Private Colleges

There are Certificate courses and Diploma Courses, as well as short Skills courses.

TRAINING:

• CLICK HERE to check for a training institution near you to see what they offer.
• Make sure you understand their entry requirements for each course.
• To avoid scams, make sure your institution is registered with the Department of Higher Education. 
• CLICK HERE to check accredited Private Higher Education Institutions. 

For additional information you can have a look at:

• www.exsa.co.za 

• www.fedhasa.co.za

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER: Wedding Planner … or … Logistics Manager

Is becoming an Event Manager the right career choice for me?

OFO No: 243204

Other names for Event Co-ordinator:

• Event Producer
• Concert Promoter-Organiser
• Conference and Event Organiser-Coordinator
• Event Coordinator
• Event Director
• Event Manager Specialist
• Festival Coordinator
• Government, Protocol or Civic Event Organiser
• Meeting Planner
• Professional Conference Organiser
• Social Life Cycle Organiser
• Sports Event Organiser
• Wedding Coordinator

What is an Event Co-ordinator?

Are you outgoing and a bit of a socialite?

Are you good at throwing a party or organising fun get-to-gethers?

Do you have the stamina to be on-the-go all the time.  Are you creative? 

Do you love coming up with new and original ideas for an event?  Are you a peoples’ person – if you have answered YES to the above, being an Events Co-ordinator might just be the job for you!

An Events Co-ordinator works alongside and Events Manager to plan and co-ordinate functions, banquets, conferences and other major events.

It’s possible that more than one event will coincide with another.  It’s important that each event is treated as the most important event of the day.

What does an Event Co-ordinator do?

• assists the event’s manager where necessary
• liaises with clients and determining the client’s needs
• finds a suitable venue for the event
• works out quotations
• discusses menus with the caterer or head chef
• hires casual staff to work on the day of the event
• orders flowers and/or arrangements
• hires the DJ or band or entertainment for the event
• arranges and hires of all equipment, plants, decorations and other specialised items

Are you … ?

• extremely organised?
• methodical?
• observant?
• creative?
• out-going?
• willing to work long and unusual hours?
• a person with strong communication skills?
• a team player?
• a multi-tasker?
• computer literate?
• a good record keeper?
• responsible and reliable?

How do I become an Event Co-ordinator?

Many institutions offer further training in Event Management. Check with your local institution whether they do.

CLICK HERE for more info on Event Management training.

TRAINING:

• CLICK HERE to check for a training institution near you to see what they offer.
• Make sure you understand their entry requirements for each course.
• To avoid scams, make sure your institution is registered with the Department of Higher Education. 
• CLICK HERE to check accredited Private Higher Education Institutions. 

For additional information you can have a look at:

• www.exsa.co.za 

• www.fedhasa.co.za

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER: Wedding Planner … or … Hotel Manager

Is becoming an Event Co-ordinator the right career choice for me?

OFO No: 862929

Other names for Usher:

• Ticket Collector
• Cinema Attendant
• Entertainment Usher
• Gatekeeper
• Ticket Collector Railway
• Ticket Taker
• Turnstile Attendant
• Venue Attendant

What is an Usher?

An Usher is a person who shows people to their seats eg in a theatre, movie house, rock concert, live performance or at a wedding etc.

What does an Usher do?

• helping setting out chairs
• making sure chairs are neat and clean
• meeting people at the door/entrance
• reading ticket stubs or invitations
• showing people to their correct seat
• helping the physically disabled or older people to their seat
• in some cases, moving people who have sat in the wrong seats

Are you … ?

• good with people?
• cheerful?
• neat and tidy?
• helpful?
• basic reading skills?
• willing to work both day and/or night shifts?

How do I become an Usher?

Most Usher positions are trained on the job. 

If you dress neatly and have a positive and cheerful attitude – it will go a long way to securing a trainee position.

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER: Dishwasher … or … Croupier/Dealer

Is becoming an Usher the right career choice for me?

OFO No: 862913

Other names for Event Assistant:

• Event Support Assistant
• Event Volunteer

What is an Event Assistant?

An Event Assistant assists with all parts of an event: design, production, guest speakers, decorations, admin etc.

Kinds of events an Event Assistant might work on:

• Weddings
• Exhibitions
• Festivals
• Conferences
• Team Building Exercises
• Product Launches
• Private Functions
• Concerts etc

What does an Event Assistant do?

• assists the event manager with all aspects of the event
• helps with admin
• researches and organises suppliers
• helps with menus
• makes deliveries
• sources goods and materials or props
• makes phone calls
• liaises with sub contractors
• keeps records
• makes sure everything is running on time
• assists with any problems that may arise

Are you … ?

• confident?
• a good organiser?
• punctual?
• a good listener?
• observant?
• a good communicator?
• a strict time keeper?

How do I become an Event Assistant?

PATH 1

An Event Assistant can get work experience and skills by working from the bottom up in an events company. You may start as a general assistant, or admin person and then work your way up.

PATH 2

Various Certificates in Marketing / Secretarial / Events can be done.

TRAINING:

• CLICK HERE to check for a training institution near you to see what they offer.
• Make sure you understand their entry requirements for each course.
• To avoid scams, make sure your institution is registered with the Department of Higher Education. 
• CLICK HERE to check accredited Private Higher Education Institutions. 

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER: Event Manager … or … Make Up Desinger

Is becoming an Event Assistant the right career choice for me?

OFO No: 333201

What is a Wedding Planner?

If you like working with people, enjoy planning big parties, and are good at negotiating and networking you might consider a job as a Wedding Planner. 

Other titles for this job could be Wedding Consultant, Wedding Co-ordinator or Bridal Consultant.  Wedding Planners are event managers but specialise, usually entirely in weddings.

Besides young people, the number of older people getting married is growing.  They are usually way too busy to organise their own wedding but have the money and resources to employ someone to do it for them.  This means there is a open market for good, organised Wedding Planners.

What does a Wedding Planner do?

• takes the client’s vision and brings it into life
• suggests colours and themes
• recommends venues, bands, dj’s, florists etc
• maintains a stress-free environment around the bride
• makes sure everything is done within budget
• pays attention to details like invitation, place cards, table numbers etc
• designs floor plan for reception/ceremony
• suggests various decorating items like candles, centre pieces, gifts for guests etc
• sources tents, outdoor toilets, chair covers and other unusual items
• assists photographers, caterers, guests etc where needed
• takes care/stores of gifts
• provides emotional support
• books spa treatments, hotel accommodation and assists guests with travel arrangements
• deals with problems as they arise

Are you … ?

• a party-person?
• good with people?
• friendly?
• able to handle stress and difficult clients?
• deadline orientated?
• a good negotiator?
• budget conscious?
• extremely organised?
• fashionable?
• sensitive to different religions and customs?
• willing to keep up to date with wedding trends?
• a person who pays attention to detail?
• good with colour?

How do I become a Wedding Planner?

There are 3 ways of studying to become a Wedding Planner:

PATH 1:

To study Wedding Planning at an institution

• SA SCHOOL OF WEDDINGS: (nationwide)

Offers both part-time and full time courses in a variety of aspects of Wedding Planning.  They offer Basic and well as Advance courses too.

• COLLEGE SA
  

Offers a Diploma in Wedding Planning

PATH 2:

Study Event Management at a local institution. 

See under Event Manager or Event Co-ordinator on our website for more information.

PATH 3:

Work with a Wedding Planning to learn the ropes and collect experience. 

When you feel you have enough, you may think of branching out on your own.

TRAINING:

• CLICK HERE to check for a training institution near you to see what they offer.
• Make sure you understand their entry requirements for each course.
• To avoid scams, make sure your institution is registered with the Department of Higher Education. 
• CLICK HERE to check accredited Private Higher Education Institutions. 

OTHER CAREERS TO CONSIDER: Make-up Artist … or … Fashion Designer

Is becoming a Wedding Planner the right career choice for me?