To say that events management offers its graduates intriguing opportunities would be the understatement of the century. It is the perfect degree for those looking for the right blend of variety, creativity, excitement, adventure, socialising and travel.
Roles & Responsibilities of Events Managers/ Planners
The moment you step into a meeting with a prospective client and try to convice them to do business with you, until the end of the event where the venue is cleaned up and everyone goes back home, everything in between falls into your job scope. You will be dealing with events, conventions and hospitality, but you will also be using components from the fields of marketing, management and economics.
Event management is for those who enjoy putting things together and making things happen- it will be your job to synergize all aspects of the event planning process to ensure that the event is executed smoothly and successfully. This includes budgeting, scheduling, venue selection, arranging transportation, decorations, catering, event security, acquiring permits, arranging for speakers, coming up with contingency plans and so much more.
You will utilise your talents and provide solutions for complex and strategic issues, to conceptualise and pitch events, and you will also aid in the business decision making process, carry out branding and promotion of products and services, do research, identify target markets.
Skills Required in Events Management
- Excellent time management
- Sterling communication skills
- Exceptional interpersonal skills
- Ability to work under pressure
- Be creative, with an eye for detail
- Be tech-savvy
- Great leadership abilities
- Budget awareness
- Ability to multitask
- Problem solving abilities
- Outstanding organisation skills
- PR & marketing skills – a great bonus
Career Opportunities
- Event Planner
- Exhibitions Manager
- Talent Manager
- Project Manager
- Wedding Planner
- Account Director
- Festival Planner
- Entertainment Manager
- Conventions Services Manager
- Business Exhibitions Planner
Reasons to Study Events Management
You are Able to Expand Your Horizons and Flex Multiple Skills
Working in the event industry, you can never tell where your job might take you next. You will rarely need to stay confined to one place between 9-5; you will be working multidisciplinary events, in different environments. One day you might be planning a music festival, and a small office brunch the next- it provides you with a twist of adventure and excitement to look forward to!
Event management is an incredibly transferable field. The skills you acquire through your degree, you will be able to apply it to different ventures.
Relationship Building
It is safe to say that you will be dealing with people from all walks of life- some who may be more insistent than the others. Your job is to learn to navigate the waters, convince clients to do business with you, turn client’s ideas into visions, and turn that vision into a reality. You will learn how to build relationships and connect with people like your job depends on it, because it does!
Entry Requirements for an Events Management Degree
| SPM/ IGCSE O Levels or Equivalent | Grade C or above in 3 subjects |
| STPM/ GCE A Levels or Equivalent | Grade C or above in 2 subjects |
| Foundation/Diploma | Minimum CGPA of 2.0 |
| UEC | Grade B or above in 5 subjects |
*The requirements may vary among universities, for inquiries on other entry requirements, contact Excel Education.
English Requirements
| IELTS | 5.5 overall score, with no components lower than 5.0 |
| TOEFL | 34 (Internet Based Test) |
| STPM English | B3 or B+ |
| O Level English | Grade C or above |
*The requirements may vary among universities, for inquiries on other entry requirements, contact Excel Education.
Recommended Universities to Study Events Management in Malaysia
1. Taylors University
Image Credits: university.taylors.edu.my
| Programme | Bachelor of International Tourism Management (Hons) (Event Management) *Dual Award with University of Toulouse Jean Jaurès, France |
| Duration | 3 years (full-time) |
| Intakees | January, March, August |
| Indicative Fees (2021) | RM 103, 248 |
2. Berjaya University College
Image Credit: berjaya.edu.my
| Programme | Bachelor of Events Management (Hons) |
| Duration | 3 years (full-time) |
| Intakees | January, May, September |
| Indicative Fees (2021) | RM 62,875 |
3. Sunway University
Image Credit: sunway.com.my
| Programme | Bachelor of Science in Conventions and Events Management (Hons) |
| Duration | 3 years (full-time) |
| Intakees | January, April, August |
| Indicative Fees (2021) | RM 88,900 |
4. INTI International University
Image Credit: newinti.edu.my
| Programme | Bachelor of Arts in Event Management & Marketing (Hons)
*Dual Award with University of Hertfordshire, UK |
| Duration | 3 years (full-time) |
| Intakees | January, April, August |
| Indicative Fees (2021). | RM 62,386 |
5. USCI University
Image Credit: ucsiuniversity.edu.my
| Programme | Bachelor of Arts in Event & Tourism Management (Hons)
|
| Duration | 3 years (full-time) |
| Intakees | January, May, September |
| Indicative Fees (2021) | RM 48.486 |
The Future of the Events Industry - Should You Still Pursue Your Dream Career?
As the Covid-19 pandemic took over the world, we have seen shifts in every dimension of our lives- the pace of change we have experienced in the past year; technological, social, behavioral or otherwise, has almost transcended the entirety of the past decade. Events is one industry that has been uprooted almost entirely.
Understandably, there is a degree of uncertainty when it comes to the future of the industry. Event planners have had to rewrite the entire exhibitions rulebook. Experiences that they have been building throughout their careers were suddenly rendered useless and irrelevant, and they have had to quickly acquire new skills and reimagine the future of events.
Its a New Dawn for the Events Industry - One With More Promise Than We Can Imagine
Over the last year or so, we have seen several companies take their events online, and found creative, innovative ways to connect with the audience. For the foreseeable future, virtual remains the only way to connect, but it is still, pretty much uncharted territory.
In a sea of uncertainty, we can either choose to drown in it, or focus on what we can control. One thing we can do is increase our knowledge of the new technological advancements, get tech-savvy, and familiarise ourselves in virtual technology.
Event planners have been presented with an opportunity to find new ways to balance the virtual world with the online world, and find new tools to stimulate online engagement. We are envisioning a future incorporated with VR and AR elements to enhance personalisation.
Though it is still in its early stages, the new era of the events industry will set the stage for generations to come.
The Landscape of the Events Industry Has Been Turned Inside Out, and Things May Never Go Back to the Way It Was - and That is Not a Bad Thing!
The link between physical space and events is barely hanging on by a thread at this point. We need to prepare for a reality where physical events may never matter again. Perhaps by the time we make it out of this pandemic, the nature of networking will be changed beyond recognition.
As the events industry moves forward, so does technology and the generations attached to it. Event planners have already started moving on from catering to the Millennials to catering to Generation Z – the group of people who were practically raised by the internet. So, it makes perfect sense for the future of the events industry to be hybrid events, or even entirely virtual.
No matter how much change we go through, one thing will always remain constant. People are always looking for new experiences. Event planners are given a chance to push the boundaries and find new ways to convey captivating experiences, specifically tailored to meet the ever-so-changing requirements and preferences of the people.
If you ask us, this is the perfect time to get into the events industry. Become an early adopter, stay so ahead of the curve that the curve becomes a sphere!
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About the Author
Rifqa Abdulla
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