“Event industry is easy to get into, but hard to stay”, that is how EventProfs often half-jokingly talk about the industry, all because of its harsh but rewarding nature. Reasons we join this industry are diverse: we follow our passion, we cannot resist its attraction, etc. However, the path from EventFresh to EventProf requires hard work and great effort, as well as the ability of self-assessment, self-recognition, and self-development to possess the values that this industry requires.
- What gives strength to the “magic wand” of the EventProfs? Apart from creativity, continual self-teaching has something to say
As event planning being a part of marketing, creativity is understandably a key tool to create differences, tell a story, and deliver messages. Being the main creative idea of the event, the concept provides the basis for all the following creative activities. If put in comparison, the concept is similar to the foundation of the house. However, not all the houses are the same. Between a high-rise building and an apartment, there are variations in structure, materials, colors, choices of furniture, etc. In order to shape customer experiences and feelings, bear in mind the important role of the concept during script development and art design.
However, it would not be wise if EventProfs only fixate on concept creation. As drawn on ways of thinking, analysis, and experience, the concept is subjected
to overlapping. In that case, execution is what confirms EventProfs’ mettle. But how to find a unique way of execution? In order to answer this question, event planners need to open their hearts and free their minds to observe, analyze, and acquire knowledge from everyday life, international events, or even competitors’ events. Constant learning is key to improving skills and career mindset, allowing EventProfs and the team to thrive in their chosen line of work.
- Understand the burden of “people-pleasing”
This explains why the event industry is featured by an “easy come, easy go” concept. As an EventProf, you must “adopt & adapt” lessons from interacting with different groups of people.
The first group consists of EventProf’s clients. Working with clients requires EventProfs to have the expertise, and ability to present and interpret implementation intentions in a straightforward and persuasive manner. An event can be small- or large-scale in event planners’ judgment, but to clients, it has every right to be considered valuable. EventProfs are required to have a good knowledge of brands, express empathy in the event making, suggest ideas that help clients make smarter decisions, not those that force them to conform to your already-prepared plans. If you manage to organize a successful event and earn clients’ trust, you will feel more relaxed while working with the next clients.
The second group involves EventProf’s partners. By definition, partners are teams, suppliers, artists, or anyone who works together with EventProfs to convert ideas into reality. The greatest issue EventProfs encounter with this group is finding ways to exchange information efficiently for a seamless event operation. Given that every person in this group is an essential link, a broken one comes with unpredictable consequences. Therefore, in order to strengthen the chain, we need honest and result-driven conversations. Together, we can conquer the goals and put events to a happy ending.
These two groups and EventProfs have a working relationship. Then another equally important relationship gets in the picture: the family. In reality, it is the most frustrating thing to convince your parents, spouses, and children to accept your pursuits of this career. Being an event planner means eating and sleeping at the site for many consecutive days, early to work and late to leave for home, working on weekends, where any hobby would be a luxury. Hence, persuading your family to sympathize with your choice and accept its harshness will be the greatest challenge ever facing you.
Last, and most importantly, it depends on every EventProf. It is good to enjoy your career, but you should also bring more balance into all facets of your life. That way, you will work to live, not live to work. Have you ever thought about this and asked yourself properly: what do you ultimately want to become, and could you follow this path to the very end with a burning passion?
