Events Jobs

An events job involves organising, planning, and delivering events from early days to the grand finale – ranging from small meetings and workshops, to large-scale concerts, conferences, and sporting events.

It covers numerous roles and responsibilities, from concept development and supplier sourcing, to on-the-ground coordination, all aimed at creating a smooth and enjoyable experience for the event’s attendees.

A brief is generally taken first, representing the client’s goals, preferences, and budget, which will be turned on the day into a fully functional and well-coordinated attendee experience.

Some roles focus on strategic planning and supplier negotiations, while others are more hands-on and operational i.e. involving the physical setup, direction, and coordination of people and resources on the day of the event.

Event workers need to be adaptable because each event is unique, and roles can range from designing a glamorous gala dinner to organising a large outdoor festival. Success in the industry depends on strong organisational skills, adaptability, communication, creativity, and problem-solving under pressure.

Ultimately, an events job is about creating an experience. It’s not just about putting a group of people in a room – it’s about designing an environment, a journey, a feeling – that resonates with guests and meets the goals of the client (i.e. that brief that was noted down at the outset).

Note: To thrive in this industry, you’ll need a perfect mix of diplomas, degrees and/or certifications, soft skills such as organisational ability and excellent communication skills; and hard skills such as ability to project manage, budget, and thrive when working with technology and/or the digital aspects of eventing.

Event roles exist across a range of sectors and event types, including:

• corporate events – such as conferences, workshops, award ceremonies, and team-building sessions;
• private events – such as weddings, anniversaries, birthday parties, and baby showers;
• public events – such as concerts, festivals, sporting events, fairs, and parades;
• and
• non-profit events – such as charity fundraisers, awareness campaigns, and community initiatives.

Event salaries in South Africa can vary significantly depending on factors such as your role, experience, education, responsibilities, industry, and geographic location.

For example, event salaries tend to be slightly higher in jobs in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban due to the greater demand and large concentration of businesses in these cities.

Further, event agencies, large corporations, hotel chains, and non-profits pay differently. So, a large hotel's events manager may earn more than someone organising small community events.

Entry-level salaries typically start at the lower range, while salaries increase with experience and a strong portfolio of successfully managed events.

Having a diploma or degree in event management or a related field, or certifications from industry associations, will impress prospective employers and so enhance your earnings.

Here are some average salaries by role (per annum):

A list of key eventing areas, the roles to consider in each area, and the responsibilities inherent in each role, appears below:

Event planning and coordination

This area’s four main roles are that of:

• an event coordinator, who handles all the logistical details to make sure an event runs smoothly;
• an event planner, who designs and plans the overall event – from concept and budgeting, to supplier sourcing;
• an event manager, who oversees all aspects of the event, managing timelines, supplier relationships, and on-the-ground delivery;
• and
• an event operations manager, who focuses on the operational side of things – i.e. health and safety, staffing, and supplier delivery – to ensure that everything happens as smoothly and without fuss as possible.

Event marketing and communication

This area’s three main roles are that of:

• an event marketing manager, who develops and executes campaigns to promote events and maximise attendance;
• a public relations officer, who handles media, publicity, and stakeholder relationships;
• and
• a social media manager, who manages social media platforms to promote events, connect with communities, and showcase highlights.

Event design and décor

This area’s three main roles are that of:

• an event designer, who comes up with the look, style, and ambience of the event – from colour schemes to furniture and floral designs;
• a floral designer, who specialises in designing and delivering floral displays;
• and
• a technical designer, who designs lighting, staging, and audio-visual components.

Supplier and vendor liaison:

This area’s two main roles are that of:

• a supplier manager, who sources, negotiates, and manages relationships with vendors – from catering companies to furniture rental providers;
• and
• a sponsorship Manager, who works to attract and manage sponsor relationships for events.

Event operations and support

This area’s three main roles are that of:

• a registration manager, who handles registration, accreditation, and check-in for guests;
• a volunteer coordinator, who recruits, schedules, and oversees volunteers who help during events;
• and
• a security manager, who designs and oversees security plans and operations for large events.

Other specialised roles in the eventing niche include:

• an event producer, who brings all of an event’s components together, and is often responsible for the overall delivery – akin to a film or theatre producer;
• an audiovisual technician, who operates the lighting, audio, video, and staging equipment of an event;
• an event chef/catering manager, who designs menus and oversees food-service delivery during events;
• and
• a transport and logistics manager, who organises the movement of people, equipment, and resources before, during, and after an event.

South Africa has a rich events industry, with numerous companies that are well-regarded for their creativity, prestige, and workplace culture.

The below mentioned companies are frequently recognised as great places to work for event planners and those in related roles, due to the high-profile events they handle (from corporate conferences to large-scale concerts and sporting events, you’ll develop an enviably rich portfolio); the fact that they typically provide structured training, mentoring, and growth opportunities; and as a result of their strong industry networks, which are likely to prove a huge boost for your career – both now and in the future:

• Eventors – a well-established agency known for organising large-scale corporate events, award ceremonies, and gala nights;
• the Event Production Company – which specialises in designing bespoke events, from product launches to high-profile corporate meetings;
• Event Solutions SA – a company renowned for their expertise in destination events and incentives for international clients;
• G&G Productions – which is often recognised for its creativity and ability to handle complex and sizeable events;
• the non-profit and sector-specific Southern Africa Association for the Conference Industry (SAACI) which, while not a direct “events company”, is still a key industry body that provides a great opportunity for employees to connect and grow;
• Dragonfly Africa, incorporating Green Route Africa, a large and well-respected destination management firm that focuses on incentives, meetings, and destination events across Africa, and is additionally known for its personalised service and expertise in designing unique destination experiences;
• and
• a range of event spaces and hotels, including the likes of Sun International, Southern Sun Hotels, Marriott, Radisson, Hyatt, GL events South Africa, and Expoventures and RX Africa (formerly Reed Exhibitions).

While it's not always necessary to have a degree, many event planners and coordinators hold qualifications, or certifications, in one or more of the following:

• Event Management – such as from MANCOSA, the Institute for Event Management, and Aleit Academy, which stand out as strong options for both their online learning and their hands-on experience. Also consider a diploma or degree from Vega, Boston City Campus, Damelin, Capsicum College, and Durban University of Technology (DUT);
• Hospitality and Tourism – with the Cape Town Hotel School at Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) ranking as the best hospitality and tourism course in South Africa, due to its well-rounded curriculum that blends academic studies with practical experience, prepares students for success in the industry, and has a reputation for international research and teaching;
• Public Relations or Communication – such as Red & Yellow Creative School of Business’s Public Relations course focused on storytelling and brand communication;
• and
• Business Management or Marketing – such as the higher certificate in Business Management from Regenesys Business School, or UCT Commerce’s online short course in Marketing.

Ensure that any certifications you acquire are recognised by reputable industry bodies, such as the Exhibition and Event Management Association of South Africa (EXSA). That said, experience, a strong portfolio, and weighty industry connections often weigh up more favourably than the qualifications you may, or may not, have accumulated.

Start by preparing your CV, highlighting in it your qualifications, key skills, relevant experience, and portfolio. In your Cover Letter, explain why you’re passionate about events, would be a great match for the role at hand; and anything unique (related to your network, certification, and multilingual/other skills) that you are able to contribute to an eventing team.

Next up have a good look on your favourite job portal, and do a bit of networking on a general careers portal such as LinkedIn.

Thirdly, build relationships by:

• joining SAACI and EXSA (both are mentioned above);
• networking at industry fairs, workshops, and events in order to connect directly with recruiters, suppliers, and planners;
• and
• follow interesting eventing companies and industry groups on social media channels such as LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook, so that you can take full advantage of any job openings or freelance opportunities they post.

Fourthly, develop experience by:

• interning at event companies or hotel events departments, allowing you to learn on the job and make valuable contracts;
• volunteering your services at local festivals, conferences, and weddings, which shows your enthusiasm for the industry, let’s your learn, and adds plentiful experience onto your CV;
• and
• consider freelancing for small businesses and at private events, to gain experience and kickstart your events industry portfolio.

A fifth step is to prepare for an interview by researching what a specific company does, which are considered its key clients, and whether it has a reputable industry reputation. In the days running up to your interview, ensure that you can answers questions such as:

• “How do you handle stress during an event?”
• “Can you give an example of a successful event you have organised, or contributed to?”
• “How would you deal with a supplier dropping out at the last minute?”
• and
• “What software do you use to stay organised?”

Lastly, when making your call between:

• an event management or production agency;
• a large corporation with an in-house events team;
• a hotel, resort, or event venue;
• a conference and exhibition company;
• or
• an event tech and hybrid event specialist – be sure to weigh up your very best interests.

Love creative design? Go for a boutique agency. Want job security and benefits? Consider in-house corporate event teams or hotel groups. Enjoy working on big public spectacles? Event production companies or exhibition organisers may well be your perfect match. Additionally, many more senior event planners in South Africa work freelance or on short-term contracts, offering them flexibility, variety, and more work-life balance than may be possible in a permanent role.

To be successful in the events industry, you'll need a combination of interpersonal, organisational, technical, and creative skills.

Those referred to as your hard skills, typically involve:

• project management – using timelines, Gantt charts, and task lists to oversee all the different components of an event;
• budgeting – creating and managing budgets, by understanding pricing, negotiating with suppliers, and staying within financial limits;
• supplier liaison – managing relationships with vendors (caterers, florists, furniture suppliers, technical crews);
• technical – knowledge of audio-visual equipment, lighting, staging, and health and safety regulations;
• design and creativity – design skills (such as the use of Photoshop or Canva) can be a huge asset to help you in developing presentations, mood boards, and/or event branding;
• and
• digital skills – event software, registration platforms, and social media can all be a huge part of your role. Familiarity with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and specialised event software (e.g. Eventbrite, Cvent, or Monday.com) are always going to work in your favour.

Those referred to as your soft skills, typically incorporate:

• excellent organisation – event planners handle numerous details, from timelines, and supplier payments, to seating plans, and must stay on top of it all;
• communication – you’ll need to convey instructions, negotiate pricing, and collaborate with a wide range of different stakeholders, without losing your cool;
• problem solving – things frequently go awry during events – which could involve anything from supplier cancellations to technical hiccups – and you must resolve issues quickly and calmly;
• negotiation – achieving fair prices from vendors or securing desirable locations when others are keen on them often depends on strong powers of negotiation;
• teamwork – event delivery should typically be a team effort, so you’ll need to work effectively with many different people to achieve your desired outcome;
• adaptability – event plans can change at the last moment (due to weather, and/or other circumstances outside of human control), making adaptability key;
• and
• time-management – managing timelines, honouring delivery dates, and staying on track under pressure is a core competency of any tried and trusted individual in an event job.

The health and safety aspect of a large-scale event is a top priority, and a key foundation for its overall success of the event. Here’s why:

• protection of people – Your first and greatest responsibility is to keep everyone, from attendees and performers to workers and vendors, safe from harm. Large crowds bring a range of health and safety risks, from accidents, overcrowding, and slips and falls, to emergencies such as accidental fires, severe weather, or health crises;
• compliance with laws and regulations – each country has health and safety regulations that govern large events, from maximum venue capacity and sanitary facilities, to emergency exits and first aid. Failure to follow these can result in heavy penalties, legal action, or even event shutdown;
• reputation and credibility – a well-managed and safely run event reflects positively on an events company’s reputation. An incident stemming from poor health and safety measures, especially if it results in injuries or worse, can damage your credibility, undermine the possibility of future events, and sour relationships with stakeholders;
• risk mitigation – effective health and safety planning, across everything from risk assessments, and emergency plans, to proper training, lets you anticipate problems and respond quickly if something goes awry. It minimises financial losses, legal liabilities, and health risks;
• and
• attendee confidence and satisfaction – when guests and concert-goers feel well cared for and assured of their safety, they’re more likely to enjoy the event, stay for its full duration, and return in future years. This is sure to directly benefit your reputation, and ultimate financial success.

See also for interest, medical jobs and health and safety jobs.

In South Africa, the primary legislation governing health and safety at events is the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA). This act ensures the well-being of workers and attendees. Additionally, the Safety at Sports and Recreational Events Act 2010 and SANS 10366 (a South African National Standard) also play significant roles in event safety.

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

• Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) 85 of 1993: This act outlines the employer's duties to ensure a safe and healthy workplace, including at events. It covers all aspects of workplace safety, from hazard identification to risk assessment and control.
• Safety at Sports and Recreational Events Act 2 of 2010: This act specifically addresses safety and security at sports, recreational, religious, cultural, exhibitional, and similar events. It requires safety certificates for venues, outlines safety and security plan requirements, and addresses the responsibilities of controlling bodies, event organisers, and venue owners.
• SANS 10366 of 2012: This South African National Standard provides guidelines for health and safety at events, covering aspects such as venue design, emergency procedures, and crowd management. Event organisers and venue owners must comply with these regulations, to ensure the safety and well-being of all attendees and workers. Additionally, they should consider Event Liability Insurance to protect against legal claims resulting from accidents or injuries.

Six movies that reveal how crazy the event-planning niche can be, include Fyre (2019), The First Monday in May (2016), The Ultimate Wedding Planner (2014), the Wedding Planner (2001), the big Night (1996), and Miracle on 34th Street (1947 & 1994).

Read more about the content and/or hilarity of each of these films, at this link.

Several top event planning conferences are scheduled for 2025. These include the Experiential Marketing Summit (EMS), IMEX America and The Event Planner Expo.

The Experiential Marketing Summit (EMS) focuses on engaging attendees and customers through innovative events, while IMEX America and The Event Planner Expo are major international trade shows for event planners. See which of these best suits your busy schedule, and book your tickets!