The events industry is a vibrant, dynamic, and rapidly evolving field that offers a variety of career opportunities. From organising creative festivals to managing corporate product launches, there’s a sector and a role for everyone.
However, this diversity also brings a challenge—how do you decide which part of the industry is right for you?
In this post, we’ll break down the different areas of the events industry and provide tips on how to choose a sector that aligns with your career goals, interests, and lifestyle.
We’ll explore career paths in major event management, sports event management, wedding planning, music festivals, corporate events, and more.
By the end of this guide, you'll have a clearer idea of how to make your decision and pursue a fulfilling career in the world of events.
Understand the Different Sectors in the Events Industry
Before diving into which sector suits you best, it’s crucial to understand the wide range of opportunities within the industry. Here are some of the major sectors:
1. Major Event Management
If you enjoy working on large-scale projects with substantial budgets, major event management might be your ideal fit. This area includes global events like the Olympics, large conferences, and international expos. Professionals in this field manage logistics, marketing, sponsorships, and more, often dealing with stakeholders from around the world.
Key skills needed: Project management, negotiation, communication, multitasking, and strategic thinking.
Lifestyle: Be prepared for long hours, especially leading up to the event, and frequent travel.
2. Sports Event Management
Sports event management is a highly specialised sector where professionals organise tournaments, matches, and sporting events of all sizes.
Whether you're handling local league matches or international sports tournaments, this career is fast-paced and exciting.
Combining your love of sports with strong organisational skills makes for a rewarding career in this sector.
Key skills needed: Organisational skills, knowledge of sports regulations, event logistics, and team coordination.
Lifestyle: This is a high-energy job that often involves irregular hours and weekend work. A passion for sports is a must!
3. Wedding and Party Planning
If you have a flair for creativity and enjoy bringing people’s dreams to life, wedding and party planning can be immensely rewarding. From venues and caterers to photographers and florists, there is a wide range of vendors that require coordination to help create the perfect wedding day.
The industry also includes dress designers, cake makers, photographers. event production and entertainment providers, all working together to make each wedding unique and memorable.
Key skills needed: Attention to detail, creativity, time management, communication, and problem-solving.
Lifestyle: While the work is highly fulfilling, it’s also demanding. Expect to work weekends, especially during peak wedding seasons, and deal with high-pressure situations, such as last-minute changes.
4. Festivals and Music Events
For those who love live entertainment and thrive in high-energy environments, festivals and music events could be a dream job.
This sector includes organising music festivals, food festivals, and cultural events that bring together diverse audiences for shared experiences.
The scale of these events can vary greatly, from intimate local gatherings to massive international festivals that draw thousands of attendees.
Key skills needed: Creativity, crisis management, budgeting, team management, and marketing.
Lifestyle: This job can be intense but also exhilarating. You’ll be on your feet during events, and the work can involve long hours leading up to the event.
5. Corporate Events and Product Launches
Corporate events, from seminars and trade shows to product launches and corporate galas, require a unique skill set. Professionals in this field often work with marketing teams, sales teams, and senior executives to ensure events align with the company’s objectives and branding.
Their role reinforces the company’s image, through impactful presentations, creating networking opportunities, or launching products that captures the audience's attention and drives business growth.
Key skills needed: Strategic planning, client management, communication, and budget management.
Lifestyle: The work is typically office-based with standard hours, but the pressure is high to deliver events that reflect the company’s reputation.
Conferences and Exhibitions
Conferences and exhibitions are essential platforms for knowledge sharing, networking, and showcasing products or services. Professionals in this sector handle everything from coordinating speakers and managing registrations to overseeing exhibition booths and sponsor partnerships.
These events are often large in scale and require meticulous attention to detail to ensure they run smoothly and meet the objectives of both organizers and attendees.
Key skills needed: Event logistics, stakeholder management, communication, and marketing coordination.
Lifestyle: While much of the planning is office-based, the role requires extensive on-site management during events, with long hours and the need to troubleshoot any issues in real-time.
Deciding Which Sector is Right for You
Now that you’re familiar with the main sectors in the events industry, how do you decide which one suits you? Here are some tips:
1. Evaluate Your Interests
What excites you about the events industry? Do you love the idea of working on massive international projects, or does the creativity of wedding planning appeal to you more? Identifying your interests is the first step in narrowing down your options.
2. Assess Your Skills
Think about the skills you already have and enjoy using. If you’re great at budgeting and logistics, corporate event management or major event management could be a good fit. On the other hand, if you’re more creative and enjoy working with people, wedding and party planning might be the way to go.
3. Consider Your Lifestyle
The lifestyle of an events professional can vary greatly depending on the sector. If you prefer a more structured, 9-to-5 job, corporate event management might suit you better. However, if you thrive in fast-paced, high-energy environments, festivals, music events, or sports event management could be more your style.
4. Think About Your Career Goals
Are you looking for a career that offers rapid advancement and the potential to work on a global scale? Or are you more interested in running your own business one day? For example, many wedding planners eventually open their own agencies, while professionals in corporate events might climb the ranks in large corporations.
5. Seek Professional Experience
If you’re still unsure, gaining experience in different areas can help you make a decision. Internships, freelance gigs, or volunteering at events are great ways to get a feel for different sectors without fully committing. You can also shadow experienced event managers to gain insight into their daily responsibilities.
6. Networking and Mentorship
Networking is crucial in the events industry. Attend industry conferences, join professional organizations, and connect with people in different sectors. A mentor can offer valuable advice and help you navigate your career path.
Working for an Organisation vs. Freelancing
Another critical decision is whether you want to work for an established company or freelance as an event manager. Both options have their pros and cons.
Working for an Organisation
When you work for an existing company, you benefit from job security, a steady income, and the support of a team. Corporate event managers, for example, often work within large marketing or PR departments.
Advantages: Stability, access to resources, clear career progression.
Disadvantages: Less creative freedom, more structured working hours.
Freelancing or Starting Your Own Business
Freelancers or entrepreneurs in the events industry, such as wedding planners or music festival organizers, enjoy a high level of creative freedom. However, running your own business also comes with risks, such as inconsistent income and the need to manage all aspects of the business.
Advantages: Flexibility, creative control, the potential for high rewards.
Disadvantages: Financial risk, lack of job security, the responsibility of managing everything from marketing to client relations.
Choosing a career path in the events industry can seem daunting, but with a clear understanding of your interests, skills, lifestyle preferences, and career goals, you can make an informed decision.
Whether you dream of managing global sporting events, planning beautiful weddings, or launching new products, the events industry offers countless opportunities to thrive.
Take the time to explore, gain experience, and build your network—and you’ll find the perfect sector that aligns with your ambitions.
Here are some valuable resources to aid further exploration of event industry sectors, roles and opportunities.
Events for Event Industry Professionals
Many of these events are free to attend for event professionals, including planners, venues, suppliers, tech experts, and associations:
Cvent CONNECT (5-7 November 2024)
Event Tech Live (20 & 21 November 2024)
Event Sustainability Live (20 & 21 November 2024)
London Summer Event Show (February 2025)
International Confex (26-27 February 2025)
Event Production Show (26-27 February 2025)
The Meetings Show (25 & 26 June 2025)
IMEX Events (International, dates and locations change each year)
Event Agencies for Part-Time/Ad-Hoc Work
Event Industry Specialist Recruitment Agencies
Event Associations/Groups
For insights into event industry trends and current issues:
Communities/Forums
Just as the event industry offers a broad range of fields and roles to work in, we don't believe in a one-size-fits-all approach to training. We offer a range of specialist qualification options from our own Professional Development Suites, to The CPD Certification Service UK, Training Qualifications UK endorsements and Ofqual accreditations.
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