Hagley Community College
Event Manager Kaiwhakahaere Tauwhāinga
Event managers plan, promote and run events, such as conferences, for a variety of clients.
Event managers may choose to become members of the New Zealand Events Association (NZEA).
Event managers may do some or all of the following:
- develop concepts for an event
- work closely with clients, contractors, staff and volunteers
- train volunteers
- create plans and documentation for the event
- work out and manage a budget for the event
- book the venue or venues, and event equipment
- promote and market the event to media and relevant target groups
- oversee the running of the event
- deal with enquiries about the event
- organise funding, sponsorship and ticketing for the event
- evaluate the event and process.
Physical Requirements
Event managers need to be reasonably fit, as they may assist in setting up and running events.
Useful Experience
Useful experience for event managers includes:
- public relations and marketing work
- media or communications work
- work in the hospitality, tourism or outdoor education industries
- theatre, music or film work
- project management and administration.
Personal Qualities
Event managers need to be:
- creative, imaginative and adaptable
- confident, enthusiastic and motivated
- excellent at planning, organising and decision making
- good at negotiating
- experts in writing and communication
- able to pay attention to detail
- able to work well under pressure.
Skills
Event managers need to have knowledge of:
- the entertainment and hospitality industries
- venues, contractors and suppliers used by the events industry
- social media
- how to network
- relevant health and safety requirements.
Conditions
Event managers:
- usually work regular business hours, but may also work weekends or evenings
- usually work in offices and wherever events are held, including indoor and outdoor venues and facilities
- may travel to events around New Zealand.
Subject Recommendations
There are no specific secondary educational requirements, but useful subjects include accounting, business studies, economics, English, home economics (food and nutrition) and maths.
Event Managers can earn around $48K-$50K per year.
Pay for event managers varies depending on experience. New event managers often start out as event assistants or event co-ordinators.
- New event managers usually earn between minimum wage and $50,000 a year.
- Event managers with three or more years' experience usually earn $50,000 to $75,000, or more.
Sources: Hays, 'FY 2020/21 Salary Guide Australia and New Zealand', 2021; and Robert Walters, 'Salary Survey 2021', 2021.
Event managers may progress to start their own business, or work as directors of event management companies.
Event managers may also move into:
- venue management
- fundraising
- charity or not-for-profit management
- event marketing
- project management.
In some larger event management companies there are opportunities to specialise in areas such as:
- event logistics
- event fundraising and sponsorship
- event marketing and communications
- event administration.
Some event managers specialise in organising weddings.
Years Of Training
To become an event manager, you need to have prior experience in running events and/or a relevant qualification. Training and study options include:
- on-the-job training and study towards a tertiary qualification such as the New Zealand Certificate in Tourism Conventions and Incentives (Level 4), or the New Zealand Diploma in Tourism Conventions and Incentives (Level 5)
- a Graduate Diploma in Event Management (Level 7)
- a degree in marketing, tourism and hospitality, communications, or applied management (with a major in event management).
Volunteering at events is a good way of getting experience in event management.
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