How to Become an Event Manager: Career Guide, Courses, After 12th, Online, Eligibility, Jobs, Salary

Ahana Bhaduri's profile photo

Ahana Bhaduri

Content Writer | Updated 3+ months ago

Event Management is one of the most dynamic and flourishing fields in India. Event Managers put together promotional, commercial, and social events. They organise various events, engage their target audience, and ensure that the event's message is effectively marketed. Event Managers are one of the strong pillars behind an organisation's success.

To become an Event Manager, aspiring candidates can choose to pursue Undergraduate or Postgraduate Event Management Courses such as BBA in Event Management, and MBA in Event Management from top Event Management Colleges in India. Candidates can also choose to pursue various other additional courses such as Certificate or diploma courses for the development of relevant skills. Check: Skills Required to Become an Event Manager

There are certain basic eligibility criteria that need to be fulfilled in order to become an event manager. Candidates must complete 10+2 from a recognized board with a minimum aggregate score of 50% or above in any discipline such as science, humanities, commerce, arts etc. Check: Eligibility to Become an Event Manager

The average Event Management course fee ranges between INR 15,000 - 15,00,000 depending upon the college and the course chosen by the candidates. Some of the top colleges in India include the National Institute of Event Management, AIMC- New Delhi, INLEAD, ISBM Bangalore etc. To get into a top event management college, candidates need to clear the entrance exam such as CUCET, CAT, MAT and DSAT. Read: Event Manager Qualifications

The average salary of an Event Manager is INR 4.74 LPA. Event Managers have an extensive scope in various areas such as PR Firms, fashion shows, weddings, concerts, corporate events, advertising, entertainment, and the hospitality industry. Some of the top recruiters include Cox and Kings, Tafcon, Wizcraft, and Public Relations agencies. ReadSalary of an Event Manager

How to Become an Event Manager: Quick Facts

Eligibility Candidates must have completed an undergraduate course or equivalent course in event management with a minimum aggregate of 50% or above from a recognized institute
Skills Required Marketing skills, budget planning, logistics planning, customer service, contract negotiation, event planning, event management
Top Recruiters Cox and Kings, wizcraft, public relations agencies, conference and exhibition centres, and large commercial organizations
Starting Salary INR 3.52 LPA
Average Salary INR 4.74 LPA
Highest Salary INR 15 LPA

What does an Event Manager do?

Event Managers have to perform several duties other than just planning and organizing. Some of the other important duties that the event managers need to perform are discussed below. 

  1. An Event Manager is responsible for brainstorming and curating innovative ideas for events and themes.
  2. They decide the budget and make sure that their plans stay within the stipulated amount 
  3. Event Managers get hold of vendors for catering and decorations and make sure they provide quality services to the guests.
  4. For commercial events like concerts and openings, event managers must ensure proper publicity of the event through various physical and digital mediums.
  5. Event Managers must ensure that the staff is properly coordinated and the event runs smoothly.
  6. They must also handle the post-event logistics, communication, reporting and analysis to properly assess their success and failure. 

Eligibility to Become an Event Manager

There are various options through which the candidate can choose their path to become an event manager. There are various educational qualifications, age criteria, skills etc which are important to pursue a career as an event manager. Some of them are mentioned below for your reference,

  1. For diploma/ certificate programs, candidates must complete class 12th with a minimum aggregate of 45% or above. 
  2. For undergraduate degrees, candidates must complete 10+2 from a recognized board with a minimum aggregate of 50% or above in any discipline.
  3. Admission to undergraduate courses is done on the basis of merit as well as the entrance exam. 
  4. The candidate must be a minimum of 17 years of age and the maximum age is 22 years of age. Although candidates can pursue various diplomas or certification programs. 
  5. Admission to PGDM and PGPM programmes is done on the basis of national-level entrance exams such as CAT, MAT etc. 
  6. Candidates can also pursue various certification programs in order to gain relevant skills such as budget planning, event planning, event management, leadership qualities, administrative skills etc. Read More: Eligibility to become an Interior Designer

Event Manager Qualifications

To become an Event Manager in India, there are certain requirements that need to be fulfilled. Some of the essential qualifications are listed below in order to become a successful event manager in India,

  1. It is a mandatory requirement that the candidate must complete class 12th in any discipline whether science, arts, commerce, or humanities.
  2. Candidates can choose to pursue various undergraduate, and diploma program from top institutes in India
  3. Admission to these courses is done on the basis of merit as well as entrance exams such as CUCET, DSAT, etc.
  4. It is also advisable that the candidates must pursue certification or diploma programs for the development of relevant skills such as public relations, organizing, planning, budgeting, customer service etc. 
  5. It is also advisable that the candidates must take part in summer internships while pursuing college as it will help in gaining practical knowledge. Also Check: Interior Designer Qualifications

Types of Event Managers

There are several types of Event managers in India performing various duties and roles. Some of the top roles of event managers are discussed below for your reference, 

Senior Event Manager

Duties A Senior Event Manager is one skilled professional who looks after the activity of junior staff from planning an event to fulfilling requirements, target audience and objectives. 
Average Salary INR 10 LPA

Event Legal Executive

Duties The main role of an Event legal executive is almost similar to that of a legal officer. Their role includes client representation, attending court proceedings, and taking care of all legal documentation etc
Average Salary INR 6.23 LPA

Event Coordinator

Duties An event coordinator looks after the hospitality and plans and coordinates the event. They basically are in charge of selecting venues, budget planning, arranging onsite vendors and ensuring client satisfaction.
Average Salary INR 3.01 LPA

Public Relations Manager

Duties A public relations manager is incharge of managing an organization’s communication with media personnel. They develop marketing communications plans including strategy, goals, budget etc. 
Average Salary INR 7.11 LPA

Production Head

Duties A production head is responsible for planning, organizing, scheduling and assessing projects, estimating and negotiating budgets and time limits, quality control standards
Average Salary INR 10.8 LPA

Budgeting & Finance Head

Duties They basically look and prepare financial statements, maintain financial controls and procedures, conducts periodic audit, actual expenses, comparisons etc
Average Salary INR 23.2 LPA

Steps to Become an Event Manager

Discussed below are some of the important steps that needs to be taken up in order to become a successful event manager in India, 

  1. Completing education - There are many universities and institutes in India offering event management courses at undergraduate, diploma, and post-graduate diploma courses. After completing class 12th, candidates can pursue a bachelor’s degree in any relevant field related to event management. Some event management companies hire candidates for higher positions in event management companies.
    • Candidates can pursue a BA or BBA or even MBA or PG diploma in event management. By pursuing these courses, candidates have a chance of landing a high-paying job. These courses offer 2 years courses with mandatory internships. Some of the colleges take admission on the basis of entrance exams such as CAT, MAT, XAT, and GMAT.
  2. Gaining essential skills- This industry requires the candidates to be very skilled at every given stage. There are a number of skills that help the candidate to become successful. For developing relevant skills, candidates are required to pursue various certifications and diploma programs. The main focus of the candidates must be on improving organization skills, public relations skills, networking etc. 
  3. Gain Experience- Candidates must use their knowledge and skills that the candidates can learn during their courses and also by participating in and organizing events. Getting involved in internships in event management companies, and volunteering for activities at schools and colleges will help in gaining practical knowledge about event management. Every event has its own requirements, so event managers must be specialized in organizing events to meet all the requirements of their clients.
  4. Create Portfolio- A portfolio is one of the important parts of event management. This portfolio is one of the best ways to showcase one's skills and achievements in event management. The portfolio shall include ideas, designs as well and even presentations to get clients and also will be helpful in landing a job. The portfolio shall also highlight skills which will showcase how one can handle challenges within a deadline and budget.

Event Management Courses

There are a number of top universities and online platforms that offer a number of courses in event management, PR Management, Interior Design and other related specializations. Apart from undergraduate courses, candidates can also pursue a number of certification courses available offline and online courses. Some of the top certification courses are listed below for your reference, 

  • Certificate III in Events
  • International certificate in Online Communication events
  • Online certificate in meeting & Event Management
  • Certificate in applied Tourism & Event Management

Also Check:

Some of the top courses of event management are tabulated and discussed below for your reference.

Parameters Diploma in Event Management BBA in Event Management MBA in Event Management Post Graduate Diploma in Event Management
Duration 1 year 3 Year 2 year 1 - 2 year
Eligibility  Candidates must have completed 10+2 from a recognized board with a minimum aggregate of 45% or above.
Candidates must have completed class 12th in any discipline 
Candidates must have completed 10+2 from a recognized board with minimum aggregate of 50% or above
Candidates must have completed class 12th in any stream preferably in commerce and arts
Candidates must have completed bachelor’s degree in any discipline with minimum aggregate of 50% or above from a recognized institute  Candidates must have completed bachelor’s degree in any discipline with minimum aggregate of 50% or above from a recognized institute 
Top Colleges National Institute of EVent Management Mumbai University
Pacific University
MIT WOrld Peace University
Sage University
Amity University
PIMR
Sage University
Lovely Professional University
GD Goenka University
INLEAD
EMDI
Entrance Exams Merit Based CUCET
DSAT
BUMAT
CAT
XLRI
XAT
SNAP
CAT
GMAT
MAT
Average course fees INR 20,000 - 1,20,000 INR 10,000 - 5,00,000 INR 2,00,000 - 15,00,000 INR 50,000 - 1,50,000 
Average Salary  INR 3,00,000 - 4,00,000 per annum INR 4,00,000 - 7,00,000 per annum INR 6,00,000 - 10,00,000 per annum INR 2,00,000 - 8,00,000 per annum

Online Courses

Apart from the regular degree courses students can also pursue various online courses which do not specifically require any prerequisites. Tabulated below are a few of the top online event management courses for your reference. 

Course Name Provider Duration
Course in Wedding Planning Planner International Career Institute 1 year
Higher Program Organization of Events, Protocol, and Business Tourism EAE Business School, School of Tourism & Hospitality, The Ostelea Barcelona 9 months
Course in Event Management International Career Institute 6 - 12 months
Event Management for Beginners Udemy 45 hours
Project Management Principles and Practices Coursera 5 months

Best Event Management Colleges in India

There are more than 200 event management colleges in India. Out of which 83% of the colleges are private and 13% of the colleges are public and the remaining colleges are private-public. It is also to be noted that event management is offered as a part of various management studies as well as mass communication courses.

Some of the top colleges in India are listed below with their location and fees for your future reference, 

Name of the Colleges Location Average Fees (INR)
National Institute of Event Management Mumbai  70,000
University of Mumbai Mumbai 55,000
Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies Faridabad 5,97,000
Pearl Academy New Delhi 3,95,000
IIFT New Delhi 55,000
NIEM The Institute of Event Management Kolkata 70,000
National Academy of Media and Events Kolkata 1,53,000
SCDL - Symbiosis Centre of Distance Learning Pune 43,000
PES University Bangalore 5,11,000
Annamalai University Karnataka 51,500

Benefits of Becoming an Event Manager

The job of an Event Manager is not only of great responsibility but there is immense scope of learning and one can expect a lot of new exciting projects that are associated with it. Though event management involves managing many aspects of a particular event, it does give a sense of satisfaction and pride when the whole event becomes a success. However, everything has its own set of pros and cons. Some of these have been listed below:

Pros of Becoming an Event Manager

  • Opportunity for creativity- An event manager is provided with an opportunity where they can showcase their creative skills and talents to conceptualize new themes and coordinate an event.
  • Diversity- They are provided with a chance to work on a variety of events like birthday parties, weddings, business parties, music festivals, commercial events, etc. This offers them a whole range of experiences. 
  • Collaborative work environment- This job offers a very collaborative work environment where event managers work with a number of staff and vendors to plan out the details of an event and ensure that everything runs smoothly.
  • Fewer Educational Requirements- This job does not require elaborate educational qualifications. This field is more about learning with time and gaining more experience.
  • Opportunity to travel- Event Managers also have an opportunity to travel since they might conduct and host events that are in different cities. 

Cons of Becoming an Event Manager

  • Odd working hours- The working hours of an event manager can be odd since many events take place at night or during the holiday season. So, there are no normal working hours for event managers.
  • Time away from friends and family- Event managers have to spend some time away from friends and family since they might be travelling for work purposes.
  • Experience requirements- This job requires some experience from the candidates. They might have to gain experience through some unpaid internships before proceeding on to paid positions.
  • Job instability- There are many people who start their own event management companies and work freelance. The working conditions are unstable since there might be a boom in the winter season when there are weddings taking place or in the holiday season and a dry in the summer season.
  • High level of responsibility- The job requires a high level of responsibility. The event managers are entirely responsible for micro-managing every little detail of the event and therefore, have to take care of the event from the start to the end. This is a lot of responsibility. 

Skills Required to Become an Event Manager

Skills play an important role in determining the knowledge and strength of the candidates. It also plays a determinant role in calculating the salary of an event manager. An event manager must be knowledgeable in several aspects such as planning, budget control etc. To gain these skills candidates can pursue various certification programs. 

Some of the technical as well as soft skills are tabulated below for your reference.

Knowledge of Event management Planning an event Looking after people management
Excellent knowledge of Budget Management Customer service Contract Negotiation
Organizing skills Excellent communication skills Operation Management 

Top Recruiters for Event Managers

There are a number of types of events happening. Event management companies specialize in different kinds of events such as corporate events, award functions, weddings etc. Some of the top recruiters who hire fresh as well as experienced candidates are tabulated below for your reference, 

Weddingz.in OMICS International
Wings Brand Activation Wizcraft International Entertainment Pvt.Ltd
Purple Patch Magnum Intergrafiks

Event Manager Jobs

There are a number of roles within event management assigned to various persons depending upon their job profile. The duties are bifurcated according to their roles to ensure the smooth running of the business. Some of the top job profiles and the roles they perform are tabulated below for your reference. Also CheckEvent Management Job Profiles

Job Profiles Job Description
Event Managers They are skilled professionals who plan, organize, and promote business and social events. They perform a series of activities such as selecting the venue, budget planning, negotiation etc. 
Marketing Manager A Market manager looks after the market research, understands the trends, and customer requirements, and develops marketing strategy and other related activities to increase business sales. 
Wedding Planner A wedding planner looks after and arranges weddings and other related functions. They design, cater, manage the guest list, and photographers, choose wedding attire etc. 
Business Development Executives Business development executives are responsible for finding and assisting clients, fulfilling the demands of customers etc. 
Event Coordinator Their main work includes selecting venues, negotiating prices, organizing event resources and getting customer support. Their assist event managers in performing various functions

Salary of an Event Manager

According to Ambitionbox, The average salary of an Event Manager is INR 4.74 LPA. There are various factors on which the salary of an Event manager is dependent such as city, experience, skill, employer, job profile etc. Candidates who are fresh graduates can expect a starting salary of INR 3.56 LPA while candidates with more than 5 years of experience are entitled to an average salary of 5.21 LPA. 

Tabulated below is the salary of an event manager based on the designation provided below for your reference. 

Designation Average Annual Salary (INR)
Event Coordinator  3.00 L
Event Executive 2.80 L
Senior Event manager 10.00 L
Assistant Event manager 3.60 L
Event Organizer  2.70 L
Event and Marketing Manager 8.80 L

How to Become an Event Manager: FAQs

Ques. What qualifications do I need to become an Event manager?

Ans.  Candidates need to clear class 12th in any discipline with a minimum aggregate of 50% or above from a recognized board along with pursuing either degree such as a diploma, undergraduate, postgraduate or PG diploma program 

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

Ans. The course duration for a diploma program in event management is 1 - 2 years but for candidates to pursue an undergraduate degree then the duration is 3 -4 years.

Ques. Do event managers get paid well?

Ans. The average salary of event managers in India is INR 4.74 LPA which is subject to increase depending on experience, skills, knowledge etc.

Ques. Which degree is best for event managers?

Ans. BBA in Event Management, BA in Event management, and Diploma in Event Management are some of the best degrees for event management.

Ques. What is the starting salary of Event Managers?

Ans. The starting salary of Event Managers is INR 3.00 LPA.

Ques. What skills are required to become an event manager?

Ans. There are a certain set of hard and soft skills which the candidates must possess in order to become an event manager such as leadership qualities, public relations, business development skills, budgeting skills, and risk management skills 

Ques. Is event planning a hard job?

Ans. Yes, it is a very stressful job because clients are investing in the company and they want to get a return depending on their expectations. It requires long hours of work, hard work, imagination, creativity etc.

Ques. Can I get a job in event management without a degree?

Ans. Yes, it is possible if you have creativity and skills but it would be advisable to pursue a degree so that candidates can learn the basics in a more structured way. 

Ques. What are the entrance exams to pursue event management courses?

Ans. Some of the important entrance exams are CAT, CUCET, DAT, NMAT, SNAP XLRI XAT etc. 

Ques. What is the highest salary of an event manager? 

Ans. According to Glassdoor, the highest salary of an event manager is INR 20 LPA. 

Comments


No Comments To Show

Post Graduate Diploma in Event Management Colleges IN INDIA

View All