Event management is an important and valuable skillset that can significantly boost your resume. As an event manager, you develop a diverse range of abilities including organization, logistics, budgeting, marketing, design, customer service and team leadership. Highlighting your event management experience in the right way is crucial to getting noticed by recruiters and landing job interviews. This article will provide tips and examples to guide you in effectively presenting your event management skills on your resume.
What are the key skills and responsibilities of an event manager?
The core duties and expertise developed in event management roles include:
- Planning and coordinating all aspects of events from initial conception to completion
- Developing event strategies, objectives and budgets
- Researching and selecting event venues, vendors and suppliers
- Managing venue logistics including setup, equipment, parking, transportation etc.
- Promoting events through advertising, email marketing, social media etc.
- Soliciting sponsorships, donations and selling exhibition space
- Designing promotional materials, signage, programs and merchandising
- Managing registration, ticketing, invoicing and other financial processes
- Recruiting, training and managing event staff
- Overseeing event activities and solving any problems that arise
- Building relationships with clients, vendors and venue contacts
- Monitoring budgets versus actual spend
- Gathering feedback, analyzing data and preparing post-event reports
Having a clear understanding of your event management responsibilities and accomplishments will enable you to effectively translate them into resume entries.
How to list event management on a resume
The key sections of your resume to emphasize event management skills and experience are:
Resume Summary or Objective
Briefly highlight your event management qualifications in a short introductory paragraph. For example:
Event management professional offering 5+ years experience coordinating corporate conferences, fundraising galas, weddings and other special events from conception to completion. Skilled in event planning, budgeting, vendor relations, staff management and on-site coordination.
Work Experience or Professional Experience
Include individual entries for each relevant event management role. For each position, briefly describe your employer, job title and dates of employment.
Then use bullet points to list your major event management responsibilities and achievements in that job. Quantify your accomplishments with key details and numbers whenever possible.
For example:
Event Manager, XYZ Conference Company, San Francisco, CA
January 2017 – Present
– Plan and execute all logistics for an average of 50 corporate conferences annually with budgets up to $500k each
– Increased event sponsorship revenue by 20% in 2018 by expanding promotional strategies
– Negotiate vendor contracts saving over $100k in event production costs since 2017
– Coordinate staff teams of up to 75 people responsible for registration, speakers, IT, food & beverage etc.
– Oversee all on-site event operations and troubleshoot any issues arising
– Received “Event Manager of the Year” award in 2018 out of a team of 25 event managers
Skills or Core Competencies
Include a skills section and list relevant abilities like:
– Event Planning: Development of event strategies, budgets, timelines and logistics
– Event Marketing: Promotion of events through email, social media, advertising and public relations
– Vendor Management: Sourcing and negotiation with venues, caterers, AV teams, decorators etc.
– Staff Management: Recruiting, training and managing teams of event staff
– Registration & Ticketing: Managing online and on-site registration and ticketing processes
– Event Production: On-site management of events from start to finish
– Customer Service: Building relationships with event clients and participants
– Analytics: Evaluating event data, satisfaction surveys and financial reports
Event management resume examples
To further illustrate how to effectively highlight your event experience, here are two resume examples with different formats:
Chronological event management resume
Claire Smith
123 Any Street
City, State 12345
Phone: 555-123-4567
Email: [email protected]
Event Management Professional offering 5+ years experience coordinating corporate conferences, fundraising galas, weddings and other special events from conception to completion. Skilled in event planning, budgeting, vendor relations, staff management and on-site coordination.
Core Competencies:
– Event Planning: Development of event strategies, budgets, timelines and logistics
– Event Marketing: Promotion through email, social media, advertising and PR
– Vendor Management: Sourcing venues, caterers, AV, décor, etc.
– Staff Management: Recruiting, training and managing event staff
– Registration & Ticketing: Managing online and on-site processes
– Event Production: On-site management from start to finish
– Customer Service: Building relationships with clients and guests
– Analytics: Evaluating event data, satisfaction and financials
Professional Experience:
Event Manager, XYZ Conference Company, San Francisco, CA (Jan 2017 – Present)
– Executed 50+ corporate conferences annually with budgets up to $500k each
– Increased sponsorship revenue 20% by expanding promotional strategies
– Negotiated vendor contracts saving over $100k in production costs
– Managed staff teams of up to 75 for registration, speakers, F&B, etc.
– Oversaw on-site operations and solved problems arising
– Received company “Event Manager of the Year” award in 2018
Junior Event Coordinator, Conferences R Us, Los Angeles, CA (Jun 2013 – Dec 2016)
– Assisted senior event managers with coordination of corporate and nonprofit conferences
– Handled registrations, communications, logistics and vendor relations
– Supported on-site event operations for conferences of 100 to 500 people
– Helped train and supervise teams of volunteer event staff
– Planned events from initial concept development through completion
Education:
Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality Management, University of Southern California, 2012
Functional or Combination event management resume
Claire Smith
123 Any Street
City, State 12345
Phone: 555-123-4567
Email: [email protected]
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
– 5+ years experience in end-to-end planning and coordination of corporate conferences, galas, weddings and special events
– Expertise in development of event strategies, budgets, timelines, marketing plans and logistics
– Skilled in negotiating contracts with venue, catering, décor and other vendors
– Experience recruiting, training and managing event staff teams of up to 75 people
– Strong capabilities in on-site event management and rapid problem solving
– Proficient in managing registrations, ticketing, invoicing and other financial processes
– Success in boosting event sponsorship revenue through innovative promotions
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Event Manager, XYZ Conference Company, San Francisco, CA (Jan 2017 – Present)
Junior Event Coordinator, Conferences R Us, Los Angeles, CA (Jun 2013 – Dec 2016)
SELECTED ACCOMPLISHMENTS
– Executed 50+ conferences annually with budgets up to $500k each
– Increased sponsorship revenue 20% via expanded promotions
– Negotiated vendor contracts saving over $100k in costs
– Coordinated event staff teams of up to 75 people
– Received company “Event Manager of the Year” award in 2018
– Supported planning of conferences from concept to completion
– Handled registrations, logistics, and vendor relations
– Trained and supervised volunteer event staff teams
EDUCATION
Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality Management, USC 2012
Tips for writing a strong event management resume
Follow these best practices when putting together your event management resume:
- Carefully review the job description and tailor your resume to match the required event management qualifications and responsibilities.
- Place your most relevant experience near the top of the resume to capture attention.
- Quantify your achievements with key details like attendee numbers, budgets managed, revenue increased, etc.
- Use powerful action verbs like coordinated, planned, produced, managed, oversaw, executed, trained, designed, marketed, etc.
- Check for accuracy in spelling, grammar, dates and other details.
- Choose clear, simple formatting with consistent structure and white space.
- Only provide truthfully information – don’t exaggerate or embellish.
- Have a friend, family member or career counselor review your resume before submitting.
Conclusion
Highlighting your event management experience effectively on your resume is crucial for advancing your career. Strategically listing your skills, achievements, responsibilities and qualifications will help you secure more interviews and land the right job. Carefully tailor your resume to each event planning role and quantify your accomplishments whenever possible. With a clear, concise and compelling resume focused on event management, you can take your career to the next level.
