How many years does it take to become an event manager?

It takes one to five years to become an event manager. The time that it takes largely depends on your educational credentials and experience working in event planning. A candidate with a graduate degree, for example, may only need 1 to 2 years of work experience. In contrast, someone with an associate's degree may need between 4 to 5 years of work experience.

Is event management a good career?

Yes, event management is a good career. Event management is an exciting, fast-paced career that involves meeting new people, thinking on your toes, and making things happen. Not only that, there are lots of opportunities for event management who succeed.

What are careers in event management?

Wedding planning, Venue Management, and Donor Coordination are all careers in event management. Event management is the creation and development of events, and there are many different careers that are included under this umbrella.

What are the five job responsibilities of an event manager?

The five job responsibilities of an event manager are to manage the event budget, design the event marketing strategy, master event management software, manage all events teams, and analyze event success.

What is an event manager and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted experts

Duane Sunwold,

Mark Zanter

An event manager is an individual who plans, organizes and executes various types of events, such as conferences, weddings, festivals, and corporate events. Their job is to ensure that all aspects of the event run smoothly, from budgeting and scheduling to coordinating vendors and managing logistics. They work closely with clients to understand their needs and preferences, create event concepts, and oversee all aspects of the planning process, including marketing and promotion.

What general advice would you give to an event manager?

Duane Sunwold

Instructor, Spokane Community College

Look for employment in Private Clubs, Supermarket Baking, Resorts, Casinos

ScoreEvent ManagerUS Average

Salary

4.0

Avg. Salary $51,117

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

7.6

Growth rate 18%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

4.2

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.24%

Asian 5.96%

Black or African American 10.92%

Hispanic or Latino 16.63%

Unknown 4.72%

White 61.53%

Gender

female 63.79%

male 36.21%

Age - 36

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 36

Stress level

7.6

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

7.3

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

4.0

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being an event manager?

Pros

Exciting and dynamic work environment
Creative expression through event planning and design
Potential for high earning potential and job growth
Satisfaction from seeing successful events come to life
Networking opportunities with other professionals in the industry

Cons

Long, irregular hours including evenings, weekends, and holidays
High stress levels due to tight deadlines and unexpected issues
Constant pressure to meet client expectations
Constantly being ""on call"" for clients and vendors
Job insecurity due to the freelance nature of some event management jobs

Key steps to become an event manager

Explore event manager education requirements

Most common event manager degrees

Bachelor's

76.0 %

Associate

10.7 %

Master's

7.0 %

Start to develop specific event manager skills

Skills	Percentages
Customer Service	15.08%
Event Logistics	9.84%
Event Planning	9.45%
Audio Visual	5.66%
Onsite	5.35%

Complete relevant event manager training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-2 years on post-employment, on-the-job training. New event managers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an event manager based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real event manager resumes.

Gain additional event manager certifications

Event manager certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific event manager certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for event managers include Certification in Meetings Management (CMM) and Certified Food Manager (CFM).

More About Certifications

Research event manager duties and responsibilities

Manage FOH staff during the lunch rush - correctly handle any customer complaints or issues.
Manage successful closing of NYC block to control traffic flow and allow celebrity red carpet entrances.
Coordinate and manage maintenance, bartending, catering, schedules, calendars, and supervise staff.
Create BEO's and lead weekly team meetings for support team laying out the direction and objective of upcoming events.

Prepare your event manager resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your event manager resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an event manager resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable event manager resume templates

Build a professional event manager resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your event manager resume.

Apply for event manager jobs

Now it's time to start searching for an event manager job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do event managers rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Event manager reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on May 2021

Pros

I was a theater major who received my CMP and realized I could put on a production in the corporate world. Event Planning allows me to utilize my skillset in a way I didn't know was possible. I also have the opportunity to travel and most venues treat you well when you're the planner (if you're the one in charge of the event).

Cons

There is nothing more stressful then this job. As you get closer to an event, the days get longer and the job can become 24/7, especially while the event is happening. If you're looking for a job you clock out from at 5pm, this is not the job for you. You're also in charge of budgets, F&B, Centerpieces, Entertainment, Speakers, Content, App Development, Registration, the list is endless. If you aren't good under pressure, this is not the job for you.

A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2019

Pros

Working as an Event Coordinator/Planner is the most exhilarating and ultimately the most rewarding job - at least for me, it is. I have the passion and drive to turn a simple birthday bash into a themed, carnival affair! I love to see the guests faces when they walk through the door to be whisked away into a different era! I enjoy getting to know the client and to understand their vision. Because in the end - if I have done my job correctly as an event planner and the final outcome was successful - then I have done my job to the best of my ability

Cons

There are times when no matter what you do - a difficult and unhappy customer who has a bad attitude with everything, will not be happy. No matter what you do.

What is an event manager and how to become one

What general advice would you give to an event manager?

What are the pros and cons of being an event manager?

Event manager career paths

Key steps to become an event manager

Explore event manager education requirements

Most common event manager degrees

Start to develop specific event manager skills

Complete relevant event manager training and internships

Gain additional event manager certifications

Research event manager duties and responsibilities

Prepare your event manager resume

Choose from 10+ customizable event manager resume templates

Apply for event manager jobs

How did you land your first event manager job

Average event manager salary

How do event managers rate their job?

Event manager reviews

Event manager FAQs

How many years does it take to become an event manager?

Is event management a good career?

What are careers in event management?

What are the five job responsibilities of an event manager?

Search for event manager jobs

Event manager jobs by state