Introduction
Events and entertainment officers, plan, develop and promote
entertainment and special events, within a local authority area.
They try to provide something for everyone - whatever their
interests or age. Events could include theatrical shows,
exhibitions, concerts, conferences, Christmas fairs, festivals,
sports meetings and craft fairs.
Work Environment
Events and entertainment officers spend some of their time in the
council offices and some of their time travelling around to visit
venues.
Daily Activities
Events and entertainment officers often work within either the
leisure services, marketing or tourism departments within the
council. As an events officer your duties might include:
- thinking up new ideas for events and gathering information on
events or attractions in other parts of the country;
- attending meetings with other council officers to discuss ideas
and make decisions on which ones to take forward;
- turning those ideas into strategic plans and, eventually, a
programme of events;
- liaising with neighbouring authorities to avoid duplication of
events;
- applying for grants, funding or sponsorship;
- making decisions on how to use available funds most effectively
and closely monitoring budgets;
- deciding on venues and liaising with venue managers;
- co-ordinating all the people involved in putting an event
together;
- booking artists and performers and negotiating their fees;
- writing press releases and/or marketing materials, or liaising
with marketing departments;
- dealing with the media to ensure that events are well
promoted;
- arranging photo opportunities;
- evaluating the success of events and writing and presenting
reports.
Skills & Interests
Events and entertainment officers must be:
- well organised and able to work to deadlines;
- good communicators and able to present their ideas
clearly;
- able to negotiate;
- highly motivated and enthusiastic;
- good at planning and organising;
- imaginative;
- able to juggle several tasks at once;
- capable of managing entire projects and co-ordinating lots of
people.
Entry Requirements
Although there are no set entry requirements for this job, people
with some previous experience of event organisation and marketing
may find it easier to gain a position. Most new entrants have
a degree or equivalent - useful subjects include marketing, arts
administration, business studies, leisure and tourism, and
recreation management.
It may be possible to enter at assistant level and attend
college part time to gain N/SVQs or an Apprenticeship in Arts and
Entertainment or Cultural Heritage.
Future Prospects & Opportunities
Depending on the size of the council, it may be possible to
progress into a managerial position. There may also be
opportunities to move into similar areas of work, such as arts
administration, tourism or recreation and leisure management.
Further Information & Services
Creative and Cultural Skills Council http://ccskills.org.uk
Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport & Physical
Activity www.ilam.co.uk
You may find further information about this area of work through
Careers Wales (www.careerswales.com/) or
in your local library, careers office or school careers
library.