Sector:
Events
Overview:
Conference & Banqueting/Events is planning and running special events at a set venue for clients - small meetings, large conferences or seminars, weddings, corporate parties or family occasions.
Most hotels have special facilities for conferences and events, as this is a profitable business area, and there are also many specially-built venues. Any of these companies will have a Conference & Banqueting or Conference & Event Manager and Co-ordinators.
Although each event will be run according to an established method and format, no two clients ever have the same wish list, so their needs have to be planned for, making every event unique.
To be successful in Conference & Banqueting you’ve got to be one step ahead, anticipating all needs of clients, and have great attention to detail, because it’s the small details that people remember about an event and judge it on.
Find out more about working in Events
The Workplace:
This is a desk-based job where your core hours are office hours, but because most events involve dinner and evening entertainment and as the key contact you have to be there to supervise this, there will be additional out-of-office-hours work at least one day a week, depending on the number of events your venue hosts.
While you will be at your desk responding to enquiries, planning and doing follow-up at least 50 per cent of your time, there will be up to 50 per cent where you are on your feet showing potential clients around the facilities and making sure everything is in place in the event rooms, equipment is working etc.
The Career Path:
As a Conference & Banqueting/Event Co-ordinator you are responsible for an event from initial enquiry right through the whole organisational process.
You will be the key liaison between the client and all aspects of the service during the actual event, ensuring that everything runs smoothly and you will be following up with the client post-event. As you gain more experience you may also be showing potential clients around the venue, responding to their queries, taking note of their requirements and drawing up the contract. The job combines administration, sales, management and co-ordination between all the departments of the company.
Certain hotels and venues where weddings account for a lot of revenue will have a specialised Wedding Co-ordinator. The is similar to being a Conference & Banqueting/Event Co-ordinator, but you become expert in weddings and organising the particular services these require, like champagne reception, photography, room layout and decoration, flowers, menu, schedule, entertainment and providing special care to the bridal party.
As a Conference & Banqueting/Event Manager, much of your time will be spent responding to enquiries by sending relevant information or a tailored proposal then talking this through with clients to make sure it responds to their particular needs. Drawing up contracts, making sure all details are in place and correct; showing potential clients around the venue; forecasting expected revenue and implementing ways to increase this.