Recently I was asked to organize the annual party for the office. I took up the job with vigor but ended up exhausted. I ran from pillar to post, making arrangements to ensure a successful event. I finalized the venue, cuisine, dress code, party theme, guest list, timings, decorations, etc. I had to make sure every associate reports on time and fulfills his obligations as expected. On the day of the event when I saw the guests merrily enjoying the event, I wondered if they had any idea about the efforts put in by me. It made me wonder about my experience when I enjoyed (and criticized at times) watching concerts, sports matches and award functions. Hardly ever I bothered to consider the pains taken by the event coordinator to put up the program. This thought intrigued me enough to find more about the work of an event coordinator. Here is a quick look at what I found out about the event coordinator work.
Work Nature: Event management is a creative field. It blends creativity with coordination and management. Coordinators are expected to organize an event successfully without causing delays or confusions and without compromising on the ambiance and entertainment quotient of the event.
Qualifications Requisites: Most organizations seek a minimum of Diploma in Event Management while hiring coordinators. A Bachelor's Degree is not mandatory, though it improves the chances of gaining the job. Besides Certifications in Foreign Languages or in Business Communication add to the credibility of the candidate.
Skills Requisites: Skills play an important role in event coordinator work. The skills most significantly required are ability to communicate, take instructions, issue directives, and develop a strong network, besides possessing the qualities of organizational skills, detail oriented, flexibility and multi-tasking, and the willingness to work round the clock and travel extensively.
Work Responsibilities: Event coordinator work responsibilities include liaising with the external associates and guests on behalf of the event management firm. Coordination work involves managing contacts, maintaining records, tracking the expenses paid and goods received, arranging necessary resources, maintaining sufficient quantities of necessities, etc.
Work Conditions: Event coordinators work under stressful work environments. They face erratic schedules. The place of work, day of the week and timings change with every event. In absence of consistent schedules, work becomes hectic and tiring. Besides, it is important for coordinators to maintain their cool no matter how they feel and calm down agitated guests or team members, if any. There is no single moment of rest till the event is over.
Employment Nature: Event coordinators have the option of working independently as consultants and providing advice on managing events. The usual course would be to take up a job at an event management firm and make arrangements on behalf of the team.
Job Opportunities: Job prospects are available with numerous professional event management firms who organize sporting events, award functions, fashion shows, social causes, theme parties, annual corporate functions, etc. Few firms organize private parties to celebrate occasions of birthdays, marriages, anniversaries, etc.
Job Availability: As long as the economic conditions are stable or booming, jobs would be available for coordinators. This industry is sensitive to changes in economy. With economic slowdown the number of events being organized declines, reducing jobs for the job seekers.
Remuneration: Event coordinators receive competitive salaries. As per the 2010 statistics, an entry level coordinator is expected to earn a median salary of $30000 whereas a coordinator with 10+ years' experience would earn $45000. Salaries depend upon the scale and success of the event.
Event coordination is a significant profile in entertainment industry. I realized the true potential of this career only after searching for information on event coordinators. Hence, I would suggest every candidate to analyze the event coordinator work profile and give it a serious thought before finalizing their career.