The pathway
How you actually get there, here
How you become one varies far more by country than what one does. This is the UK route. Most people take one of these ways in; the right one depends on where you're starting from.
- 1
Event Coordinator or Logistics Assistant
2-3 yearsSkills to master
- Mastering the fundamentals of event execution, understanding vendor management, meticulous attention to detail on BEOs and ROS, and developing strong on-site problem-solving skills.
You're ready to move on when
- Successfully managed multiple small event workstreams independently.
- Received consistent positive feedback on organisational skills and reliability.
- Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot minor issues without constant supervision.
- Proactively suggested improvements to existing processes.
- 2
Junior Project Manager (Non-Events)
3-4 yearsSkills to master
- Translating general project management principles to the specific nuances of live events, learning event-specific tech platforms (like Cvent), and understanding the unique stakeholder dynamics of experiential marketing.
You're ready to move on when
- Managed complex projects with multiple external vendors and tight deadlines.
- Strong command of project management methodologies and tools.
- Demonstrated ability to adapt quickly to new industry contexts.
- Proactively sought out opportunities to learn about event operations.
- 3
Hospitality or Conference Services Background
3-5 yearsSkills to master
- Shifting from a venue-centric perspective to a client-centric event owner perspective, understanding budget management from the client side, and learning to manage a broader range of event vendors beyond in-house services.
You're ready to move on when
- Extensive experience coordinating complex events from the venue side.
- Strong understanding of BEOs and event logistics from a supplier perspective.
- Proven ability to manage client expectations and deliver high-quality service.
- Demonstrated interest in moving to the 'client side' of event planning.