The event industry offers a lot of different opportunities, and with that, a variety of roles and what is involved may not always be clear to those not in the business.

There are some frequent questions that most event professionals encounter whenever the discussion of what they do comes up in conversation. Some people ask out of intrigue and some ask out of unawareness, and it doesn’t matter if you work for a company, or as an independent third-party consultant.

1. So, you’re a party planner?

​No, not exactly!

Event professionals are typically pigeonholed into being referred, and thought of, as party planners. It can sometimes be understandable how it can be confusing for those not in the business, since that is what majority of individuals can relate to for themselves.

However, unless their official title is a ‘party planner’, there's a good chance that their speciality lies elsewhere in the events profession. There is such a wide mix of niches and specialties that separate party planners, event producers, meeting coordinators, conference organizers, etc. This is dissected further to working with corporates, non-profits, associations, government, socials, weddings, and so forth.

As surprising as it may sound, there are also event professionals whose sole role may focus on producing program aspects for conferences and never plan a party, or engage in logistics like picking linens or flower arrangements; as the perception may be when someone shares they organize and produce events.

Think of it as if someone introduces a colleague to a group sharing they are a mechanic, and someone else responds with a list of problems about their car as if that person can offer a solution – only to learn they are an airplane mechanic and do not focus in the area of cars. Same goes with referring to anyone working with events with the general label as a party planner.

Here’s a suggestion for those who are now more confused on how they should refer to someone in the event industry. If you can’t recall what title they shared with you or what specific area of business they work – then simply refer to them as an Event Professional.

2. What does an event professional actually do?

Where to start?

It takes an unimaginable amount of time, multi-tasking and focus on details to plan and orchestrate any size of an event, conference, meeting or social. A true professional can make the process seem magically seamless and easy.  

It can be flattering when people ask and share an interest, and excitement, in what you do, and feel as if they can relate because they hosted their child’s birthday party or volunteered to help with their neighborhood social event. However, as important as those events may be; they are not a mirror-reflection or close example of what the professional roles truly encompass.

The list entails so many variables and aspects, and can include the smallest logistical detail that are commonly overlooked by those not experienced to stakeholder objectives to speaker management to sponsorships, PR and marketing to design layouts and content to much, much more.  

Depending on the project, or client needs, will determine all of the responsibilities required for the event professional; it can be as little as simply providing consultation to producing the entire event from conception to completion.

3. This must be a fun and easy job ... Lucky you, right?

Fun, sometimes, easy, not always and luck is not a part of it.

There is sometimes a misconception that when you are working in the events industry that every day at work must feel like a party.  The truth is there is a reason why the event professional career is ranked the 5th most stressful job in 2016 according to the job search site, CareerCast.  

To be in the business, you need to be able to work under pressure to meet strict deadlines, multi-task multiple detailed projects, handle crisis with ease, be organized, creative, flexible and patient.  Having strong communication skills, both written and verbal, are also essential when negotiating with vendors and clients and developing content. The need to know how to properly handle talent and entertainment artists, understand budget management and solve the simplest to highly-visible changes on the spot are also key.  
Don’t misunderstand that there are positives in working in the industry, but it takes a lot of hard work to be successful and build a strong rapport with partnering companies, vendors and clients. 

Conclusion

No matter how many times event professionals are asked these questions, most love the opportunity to talk about what they do and their excitement to be a part of their company or client’s events.