Three basic types of formal event management qualifications are a diploma, a certificate, and a degree. People can also become event managers by receiving on-the-job training and gaining hands-on experience. In addition to formal training for event management certification, most job descriptions list experience as one of the primary event management qualifications required for employment. Natural abilities such as multitasking, effective communication, troubleshooting, and strong organizational skills are among the other event management qualifications.
Event management training is available at a number of colleges and universities. By successfully completing specific coursework in a program designed to teach multiple aspects of event management, an individual can take steps toward becoming an event manager. Students can earn a certificate of completion or a bachelor’s degree or higher in event management due to the variety of options available. In many cases, a diploma is given as proof that a program’s coursework has been completed. Although different clients and employers may prefer certain formal qualifications over others, each of these event management qualifications is valued within the industry.
Some event managers lack formal classroom training, but have gained experience in their fields by assisting with the planning of special events, meetings, and conferences. Obtaining qualifications through experience can be extremely beneficial to those in the event planning industry, especially when it comes to presenting the details of previous event successes to potential clients. Working as a support staff member for an individual event manager or an event management company is a common way to gain experience in event management. Most clients and event management companies require event managers to have a certain amount of experience before being allowed to work on a new project, regardless of the types of qualifications they choose to earn through formal training.
An event manager is expected to have certain innate skills and qualities in addition to various types of training and experience to effectively perform this type of work. Event managers, for example, must be extremely detail-oriented and well-organized due to the nature of their work. One of the most important event management qualifications is the ability to successfully complete multiple tasks at once, as well as the ability to communicate effectively with others through written and oral communication. Whether a manager has formal or experiential qualifications, or a combination of both, the development of these innate skills is often directly related to success in the industry.