“An Easy Job in the Events Industry” – Ola Debunks the Myth About Event Jobs Once and for All2

The TV show Dragon's Nest had recently invited a guy who had developed a staffing app, for which he was seeking funding. When asked who should use the app, he replied: 'Anyone who is looking for employees for simple jobs such as events...'

'Bah!' I sobbed on the TV couch. It's an easy job, isn't it? Is this the general perception of what we do?

I realize, of course, that there are so many different types of businesses that fall under the industry heading of 'Event'. From brand experiences with measurable results to festive games and food demonstrations at the ICA.

But regardless, unclear communication has never proved particularly beneficial. After all, there in the noise is us. It didn't feel good.

I turned off the TV and started listing points in my head: What does it really mean to work in events, to be successful as a project manager in the event industry?

You have to be...

🕵🏻 Curious know-it-all 
Quite simply, you have to know a lot about a lot of things. It might sound like a cliché, but that’s how we experience our job.

♟️Strategic
We need a strategic mindset to truly understand our clients’ challenges and needs, what they want to communicate, and why. With that mindset, we can help, advise, and support our clients.

🎨 Creative 
We must be able to break down the client’s needs into a creative concept with a consistent theme and also be able to measure the impact of the message being communicated. Everything must always align with the company’s heart and soul and how it wants to be perceived in order to strengthen the brand both externally and internally.

🧑🏼‍🚀 As meticulous as a NASA engineer
When it comes to production, we have to be just as meticulous as a NASA engineer—nothing can be left to chance.

📈 As analytical as a stockbroker
We need to be able to view situations from a bird's-eye view in order to anticipate and resolve potential obstacles and problems before they arise.

🪖 Disciplined like the military
We must maintain military discipline to ensure we deliver the experience within a clear timeframe and that participant logistics run flawlessly.

🎬 A Broadway-caliber director
We must always exceed our customers' expectations, just like a professional Broadway production, to lay the groundwork for the next deal.

🧾 As meticulous as an accountant
We have to be as meticulous as an accountant when it comes to managing budgets, VAT rates, and invoices, and we need to keep track of subcontractors, shipments, printed materials, event websites, content, artists, trains, buses… 

😃 Positive and cheerful
And we have to do everything with energy, joy, and kindness—with a smile on our faces and the attitude that “nothing is impossible.”

So... no, I wouldn't use 'easy' to describe what it's like to work with events - at least not the kind that involves strategic communication through experiences and meetings. But incredibly rewarding and stimulating... it definitely is!

We always try to be humble about our world in brand experience through meetings and events. I promise that after many years in the industry, you become humble. Because our job is never easy, and it tends to get more challenging with each passing year. But that's also what makes our work so much fun! We learn from our customers' new challenges all the time.

It would be terribly boring if you became fully educated, I think.

Have a great week ahead,

Ola