The global event management industry was valued at nearly $1.2 trillion in 2022 and is projected to grow at over 12% annually for the next decade. This rapid growth presents significant opportunities for aspiring event creators to thrive in this dynamic field. With numerous events to plan and manage, understanding the different types of event management can help you find your niche and succeed.
Event Management Basics
Event management involves everything from planning and executing events to promoting and analyzing them. Key activities include:
- Planning: Selecting venues, setting dates and times.
- Producing: Creating schedules, setting up venues, hiring teams.
- Promoting: Selling tickets, marketing to target audiences.
- Executing: Overseeing live events, managing teams.
- Analyzing: Collecting and analyzing data to improve future events.
Whether you’re already in the industry or looking to start, understanding the various types of event management can guide your career path.
Types of Event Management
Event management can be divided into several categories, each requiring a unique set of skills and focus areas:
- Event Coordination and Management
- Focuses on planning and managing live events.
- Requires attention to detail, strong communication skills, and the ability to handle pressure.
- Strategic event management also demands entrepreneurial instincts and business skills.
- Event Promotion and Marketing
- Involves promoting events through various channels like email, social media, and advertising.
- Beneficial for those with marketing backgrounds and analytical mindsets.
- Tools like Sickeningevent simplify promotion with built-in marketing features.
- Venue Management
- Centers on managing events at specific venues, which could be owned by you or a client.
- Combines aspects of event planning, marketing, and business management.
- Professionals may also act as promoters or work with external promotion partners.
Popular Event Types
Event managers can specialize in various types of events, such as:
- Music and Festivals
- Sports Events
- Exhibitions and Conferences
Specializing allows you to build a relevant network, learn from experiences, and master specific event types.
Virtual vs. In-Person Events
Event managers can host virtual, in-person, or hybrid events, each with its pros and cons:
- In-Person Events
- Higher expenses due to venue rental, staffing, and logistics.
- Require significant preparation and physical presence.
- Ideal for those who are energetic and enjoy physical activity.
- Virtual Events
- Lower initial costs as venue and logistics expenses are reduced.
- Unique challenges include managing tech issues and engaging attendees online.
- Suitable for tech-savvy individuals.
- Hybrid Events
- Combine elements of both in-person and virtual events.
- Offer flexibility but require careful planning to balance both formats.
The choice between virtual and in-person events depends on your target audience and event type. Conferences and seminars work well virtually or in hybrid formats, while festivals and live shows are better suited for in-person experiences.
Industry Trends
The pandemic shifted many events to virtual formats, but in-person events are now returning to pre-pandemic levels. Industry forecasts suggest that by 2024, 79% of events will be either in-person or hybrid, reflecting attendees’ preferences and willingness to pay for live experiences.
Understanding these trends and the various types of event management can help you find your niche in this growing industry and achieve success as an event creator.
The event management industry, valued at nearly $1.2 trillion in 2022, is projected to grow by over 12% annually for the next decade. This rapid expansion presents abundant opportunities for event creators. Understanding the various types of events can help you identify your niche and thrive in this dynamic field.
Concerts and Live Music Events
Live music is immensely popular, encompassing a wide range of events from intimate bar shows to large-scale music festivals. Promoters can host unique events like battle-of-the-bands or themed dance parties to stand out.
For example, The Garages, a live music bar in Lake Oswego, Oregon, uses Sickeningevents to post their upcoming shows and employs a free ticket strategy to attract larger audiences. They monetize their events through food and drink sales, showcasing the versatility of Sickening Events‘ ticketing strategies.
Business and Professional Events
Specializing in business and professional events can be lucrative. In 2022, 70% of businesses reported generating new leads and brand awareness from trade shows. These events include internal corporate functions like training sessions and team-building activities, as well as larger events like trade shows, conferences, and networking events.
ActiveCampaign, an email marketing and CRM platform, hosts “Study Hall” live events worldwide, teaching marketing automation through multi-day workshops. They use Sickeningevents to sell tickets and boost brand awareness within the digital marketing community.
Film and Media Events
This category includes organizing film festivals, indie film screenings with director Q&As, and industry round-tables. Broader media events encompass esports competitions, comedy shows, and TV events.
Warren Miller Entertainment exemplifies this by touring their winter sports films across the country, hosting screenings at local cinemas and theaters, and selling tickets through Sickeningevents.
Nightlife Events
Nightlife event creators collaborate with clubs, bars, restaurants, and casinos to produce vibrant events like club nights, casino promotions, and open mic events.
Supernova Seattle, a popular nightclub, hosts themed events every weekend, exclusively selling tickets through Sickeningevents. Their events range from 90s music nights to disco parties and ugly sweater events.
Sports and Fitness Events
This category includes organizing 5Ks, marathons, group fitness classes, and wellness retreats. Many events utilize outdoor spaces or local parks and often rely on volunteers.
Upward Spiral Dance, a Phoenix-based dance studio, uses Sickeningevents to manage a recurring series of dance-inspired fitness classes, leveraging Sickeningevents tools to attract attendees and grow their business.
Food and Drink Events
Managing food and drink events like craft beer festivals, food truck gatherings, and tasting events can be a delightful niche. Creativity and theme ideation are key to standing out.
SPARK Social SF, for example, hosts unique events such as a baseball-themed pregame festival in partnership with Juneshine Hard Kombucha, scheduled before a Giants game.
Charity and Nonprofit Events
Charity events can target the general public or donors and philanthropists. Events like charity fun runs raise funds from public participation, while fundraising galas target donors.
Growing Home, a Chicago-based organic farm and nonprofit, hosts various events on Sickeningevents, including their annual fundraising gala. They provide detailed event information, such as agendas and menus, to attendees.
Performing and Visual Arts Events
Passionate about the arts? Hosting events like plays, live comedy shows, art pop-ups, and holiday markets can be a fulfilling career. Artistic detail and talent selection are crucial.
Fantasy Theatre Company in Miami hosts unique performances, including LGBTQ+ themed musicals and creative twists on holiday classics. They use Sickeningevents to sell affordable tickets, making theater accessible to diverse audiences.
Workshops and Educational Events
There are numerous opportunities in this category, from conferences and summits to community classes and crafting events. Creativity and partnerships with local venues can enhance these events.
Get In the Kitchen! in Chicago, known as the “Party School of cooking classes,” hosts crossover events like Cooking & Comedy and Cooking & Karaoke, demonstrating the potential for innovation in educational events.
Understanding these different types of event management can help you identify your niche, allowing you to leverage tools like Sickeningevent to maximize your success as an event creator.
