In recent times, Event Management has been considered as one of the most exciting career options. In fact, until five to six years ago there were not too many event management companies, and as industry the turnover was not more than Rs 18 crores in the early 90s. However, things began to change and by the end of the financial year 2007-2008, the industry was not less than Rs 1800 crores.

Careers in event management seem to be alluring more and more youth into this field. In fact, even homemakers have stepped into the industry and organize small and private events in their spare time. Also, there are event management companies that take on consultants, who work with them on a freelance basis, as and when the need arises. Thus there is a lot of scope in the field of event management and the event manager jobs are ever increasing.

Earlier one was employed and learnt the ropes of the trade on the job. But now there are vocational courses – diploma and degree in this field. These courses provide theoretical information, which then is implemented during the internship period. After the completion of the course, one is almost like any other seasoned event manager.

Event management is a career which demands lot of hard work, high degree of energy,flexibility and motivation, good communication skills, strong networking, excellent PR (Public Relation) skills, eye for detail, strong organizational skills, leadership qualities, diplomacy, patience, market awareness and tons of creativity. Event management also involves studying the intricacies of the brand, identifying the target audience, devising the event concept, planning the logistics and coordinating the technical aspects before actually executing the modalities of the proposed event. Post-event analysis and ensuring a return on investment have become significant drivers for the event industry.

Organizing a perfectly synchronized, wellplanned,well-conducted and memorable event requires the supervision and services of welltrained and experienced event professionals. Therefore event management companies are always on the look out for event professionals. The success of an event manger depends upon how well he organized the event and up to which extent he is able to achieve event and marketing objectives. The salary of an event manager depends upon his qualification,amount of exposure to events, media and corporate contacts. Working as an entrepreneur after two or three years of work experience is strongly recommended.

Need for Event Management
Event management is considered one of the strategic marketing and communication tools by companies of all sizes. From product launches to press conferences, companies create promotional events to help them communicate with clients and potential clients. They might target their audience by using the news media,hoping to generate media coverage which will reach thousands or millions of people. They can also invite their audience to their events and reach them at the actual event.

Event management companies and organizations service a variety of areas including corporate events (product launches, press conferences, corporate meetings and conferences), marketing programs (road shows, grand opening events), and special corporate hospitality events like concerts, award ceremonies, film premieres, launch/release parties, fashion shows, commercial events, private (personal) events such as weddings and bar mitzvahs. Clients hire event management companies to handle a specific scope of services for the given event, which at its maximum may include all creative, technical and logistical elements of the event. (Or just a subset of these, depending on the client’s needs expertise and budget).

How to become an event manager
One can start his/her career in the event management field either by joining any event management company as a trainee/apprentice or by joining an event management institute as a student. The advantage of the latter is that one can learn things quickly and become a certified event professional too. What other people learn over several years through work experience, a student can learn in 6 to 12 months through certified event management courses. Although such certification is not mandatory to work in an event company but if done from a reputed institute, it can be a head start to excel in this field at a faster pace.

There are an increasing number of universities which offer courses in event management,including diplomas and graduate degrees. In addition to these academic courses, there are many associations and societies that provide courses on the various aspects of the industry. These event management institutes provide training and event management in India with courses such as: distance learning bachelors degree in event management, bachelors’ degree event management, as well as other related event management courses.

Study includes organizational skills, technical knowledge, P.R., marketing, advertising,catering, logistics, decor, glamour identity, human relations, study of law and licenses, risk management, budgeting, study of allied industries like television, other media and several other areas. Certification can be acquired from various sources to obtain designations such as Certified Trade Show Marketer (CTSM), Certified Manager of Exhibits (CME), and Certified in Exhibition Management (CEM), Global Certification in Meeting Management (CMM), Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) and the Certified Special Event Professional (CSEP). Some of the institutions are stated below:
· National Institute of Event Management (NIEM India). Web site - http:// www.niemindia.com/
· National Academy of Event Management and Development. Web site - www.naemd.com/
· EMDI Institute on Media & Communication.
Web site - http://www.emdiworld.com/
· Event Management Development Institute,Pune
· Indian Institute of Event Management, Mumbai
· Indian Institute of Management, New Delhi
· International Center for Event Marketing,New Delhi
· Amity Institute of Event Management, New Delhi
· National Institute of Event Management, Mumbai
· Apeejay Institute of Mass Communication -New Delhi. Web site - www.apeejay.edu

Event Planning Process
An event planning process is an inter-woven process in which even if one thread is loose then the entire event can turn out to be a disaster. Event Management is the process of analyzing, planning, marketing, producing and evaluating an event. It is a different way of promoting a product, service or idea. If an event is managed efficiently and effectively, it can be used as a very powerful promotional tool to launch or market a product or service. Event Management requires certain core values to be deployed to every element, process and decision to justify professional approach and achieve effective and efficient results. The first step to planning an event is  etermining its purpose, whether it is for a wedding, birthday,festival, graduation or any other event requiring extensive planning.

For starters, the event planner needs to choose entertainment, location, guest list, speakers, and content. The location for event is endless, but with event planning they would likely be held at hotels, convention centers,reception halls, or outdoors depending on the event. Once the location is set the coordinator/ planner needs to prepare the event with staff,set up the entertainment, and keep contact with the client. After all this is set, the event planner has all the smaller details to address like set up of the event such as food, drinks, music, guest list, budget, advertising and marketing,decorations, all this preparation is what is needed for an event to run smoothly. An event planner needs to be able to manage their time wisely for the event, and the length of preparation needed for each event so it is a success.

Life of an Event Manager
Life of an event manager is very hard. This is certainly one of the hardest jobs on the planet. An event manager may have to work under the scorching sun throughout the day. He/she may have to stay away from the family for several months.If one is not very social and flexible then event management is not for that individual. Flexibility meaning one must be ready to work/travel 24/7. There are no fixed working hours in this field. An event manager may have to work 36 hours in one stretch. He/she may have to report for duty at 4' o clock in the morning or may have to stay at the venue (your workplace) for several days.

Organizing exhibitions/trade shows is one of the toughest jobs in event management. One should go in the exhibition management field only when you are physically fit and can bear great amount of physical exertion. The real money in event management is only for the entrepreneurs. So if an individual lacks leadership qualities and entrepreneur skills or doesn’t have any plan to start his or her own businesses later then there is no point getting into event management. If the ambition of a person is a 9 to 5 job in an AC environment with higher pay scales, higher  possibility of growth and 5 working days then this career option is not a good choice. The most appropriate options for these sorts of people would be getting into an IT company or some other type of fixed timing jobs.