Conference officer: Emma

This Case Study belongs to Event organiser.

Emma completed a postgraduate degree in theology and philosophy at the University of Greenwich, London. Unsure of where or what her degree would lead her to, Emma went into an administrative role when she graduated and moved into events a few months later.

Emma had been involved in organising social events at school and throughout university. She chaired the students' union events committee in her final year at university. During her degree, she worked as a bouncer and behind the bar at the students' union and in Dorothy Perkins. The latter did not give her much events experience, but the first two were great for getting behind the scenes and understanding how events were pulled together.

Her first job after graduating, as an administrator for a small firm of architects, involved administrative, secretarial and reception duties. After a few months in the post, she was approached for the role of trading manager for the Greenbelt Arts Festival. She had been involved with the festival as a volunteer for a number of years. Emma's new role gave her responsibility for all areas of income for the festival (tickets, merchandise, catering, recorded talks, market stalls and donations). Her involvement with the festival gave her invaluable experience in the production of large indoor and outdoor events.

Reflecting on her time at the festival, Emma believes that she got the job because of her volunteer involvement and her student events experience, in spite of never having worked in events professionally.

From there, she became events manager for The Strategic Planning Society, a role she got through a recruitment consultant. Her proven track record in events and her varied background made her appealing to this employer. The Society is a small educational charity specialising in strategy, risk management and business planning. Emma's role involved organising and marketing workshops, conferences and social events. As a very small organisation, she also managed the office and later took on some financial responsibilities. The job gave her an insight into another aspect of the events market.

In her current role, as conference officer for the Royal College of Radiologists, Emma has responsibility for the Scientific Programme of Conferences, workshops and social events for the two faculties of the college. She liaises with committees of medical specialists to design and implement a programme of 30 to 40 events each year. She is responsible for liaising with organisers, speakers, venues, printers, caterers, technicians, marketers and delegates. Emma gets a great buzz seeing projects through from conception to successful completion.

To be good at her job, Emma says, she needs to be extremely analytical, organised and practical. Patience and empathy go a long way to achieving the cooperation needed to put an event together, and the willingness to get stuck in is essential. Finally, she says, a successful event organiser needs to be at ease with all kinds of people, have a good sense of humour and be resourceful as well as unflappable.

Emma's fantasy events job would be running London and New York Fashion Weeks! Her realistic career goals include managing a larger team of event organisers and widening her experience of different types of events.

Emma's tips for any potential event organisers include getting to know the industry and where you want to work in it - whether that be the public or private sector, working in a venue, organising in-house events or working for an events agency. She suggests getting experience in as many different areas as possible to help to find your niche. Learn as much as you can, keep an eye on opportunities and make contacts by visiting trade shows and reading industry publications.

Emma believes that hers is one of the most rewarding careers you can have, but it can be exceptionally hard work and far from glamorous.

Case Study sourced by Katie Williams of University of Southampton, 15 October 2008.