If you want to work in the events industry, employers look for a range of skills. Here at Albany, we’ve put together a list of the key skills our clients value. If you can demonstrate aptitude in these areas, you’ll increase your chances of securing a job!
Communication– The way you communicate can be make or break in the Events industry. It’s essential for you to be able to effectively engage and build relationships with industry professionals. Whether you’re a Conference Producer on a call extracting information for your agenda, a Sales Executive persuading a company to sponsor, or an Events Executive negotiating a contract, you need to know how to communicate in a professional manner.
Commercial awareness– You need your Event to make money! To do this, you need to know what’s going to sell and you can do this by keeping up to date with business trends, developments and current affairs. Read the news, subscribe to industry magazines. Work experience in a sales environment is also useful.
Written skills– Conference programmes and marketing materials are key to getting your audience on board. You need to be able to take responsibility for writing copy and proof reading your documents, thus attention to spelling and grammar is essential.
Research– For Conference Producers, a research degree is heavily advantageous in the events industry, especially those that required a dissertation. Research is crucial for Conference Producers when putting together commercially viable conference programmes. Sponsorship Sales Executives will also need to be able to effectively research their industry and identify key solution providers in their target market. The bulk of research is desk based including, telephone calling, internet searches, reading trade press as well as conducting face-to-face meetings.
Confidence– All of our roles require a degree of confidence. Whether you are a Conference Producer opening an event, a Sponsorship Manager securing a £50,000 deal or an Events Executive acquiring a venue, a confident manner is essential. You need to be able to take charge of your projects and see them through successfully.
Here is a quick list of the main skills necessary for each of the sectors we recruit for. Click on each title for in depth description of each sector:
- commercial awareness, communication, research, copywriting
– organisation, communication, negotiation, customer service, time management, confidence
– analytical skills, numeracy, digital skills, written and spoken communication skills, commercial awareness
– confidence, communication, commercial awareness, administration, drive, tenacity, resilience
All roles require an understanding of IT - particularly Microsoft Office including Word, Excel and PowerPoint.