The benefits of a career in the UK events industry

The UK events industry is a varied and ever-changing sector, with a wide range of career opportunities. Jobs in the industry are highly sought after as the industry is fun and fast-paced, offering great opportunities to work with people from all walks of life.

In this article, we will discuss the benefits of working in the UK events industry, the challenges, the job roles on the market and the best ways to get a foot-hold in the industry.

Worth an estimated £42 billion, the UK events sector employs over 775,000 people across a variety of roles including:

• Marketing and PR
• 3D design and visualisation (product design and industrial design)
• Digital design
• Photography and Videography
• Graphic design
• Project Management
• Accounting and Finance
• Production Management
• Events Management

Events careers are popular for good reason: the industry is fun, creative, fast-paced and ever-changing. No two days are the same, you meet a wealth of new people, and most importantly, the work is highly rewarding!

The events sector always has new and exciting developments cropping up. One day you might be arranging entertainment, while others you could be organising business shows or weddings. This variety means you never get locked in the same cycle – each project will require a unique approach!

For example, a Project Manager at Quadrant2Design works with a plethora of clients, from artisan food companies and craft gin connoisseurs to electrical engineers and gift suppliers. Meanwhile, our installers travel all across Europe, with a near-endless variety of customers, events and venues. Whatever your role, it is likely you will work with clients from a fantastic range of industries, backgrounds and cultures.

The events industry is constantly evolving, so you’ll get to do a lot of problem-solving. Each project presents its own set of challenges, requiring you to think quickly and creatively to find solutions. This dynamic environment keeps work engaging and exciting.

The UK events industry is a people-centric business, so it’s ideal for those who like working with others. Not only will you encounter clients from a diverse range of backgrounds, but you’ll also collaborate with like-minded professionals. Many individuals play a role in the success of an event, so you’ll have great opportunities to meet new and exciting people. You might even make valuable friendships along the way.

Working with a variety of people and projects, you’ll have the chance to develop a host of new skills that will serve you well in your professional development. Experience in the events sector is always well-regarded, as the industry is known for its fast-paced, sometimes chaotic environment. Roles in this sector are particularly attractive for young professionals, as they offer opportunities to develop a unique set of transferrable skills.

The events industry often involves a great deal of travel! Event planners, photographers and videographers will often travel for their work, sometimes to lovely remote locations! Though this is not guaranteed in every event job, many will involve great opportunities to travel.

The events industry is a highly rewarding sector, as you are able to transform ideas into reality, which is a rarity in the corporate world.  Being able to see the results of your hard work, brings a sense of purpose and motivation, especially when the project means a lot to your client. This is particularly true for areas like wedding planning, and even for our project managers, who bring client ideas from concept to completion. Even festivals often begin with just a field. It is the hard work of event professionals that brings this work together to make something very special.

If you’re someone who enjoys ownership over projects you’ll love a UK events industry job. With so many moving parts in each project, each individual has something valuable to offer.

It’s important to remember that no job is all sunshine and rainbows. Even the UK events industry has some downsides.

The events industry is often fun because it is fast-paced, however, this can also make the work challenging! In events, you cannot simply postpone issues until tomorrow. Events have fixed deadlines that will go ahead whether you are ready or not. This means that the hours can be long and unsociable. Jobs will often take place outside of the standard 9-5, Monday-Friday hours, which can also include evenings and weekends.

UK event industry jobs can also be stressful, as there are many moving parts. This can sometimes mean getting out of your comfort zone and working outside of your specific job role.

While these factors may be downsides to some, those who thrive in the industry evidently enjoy the exciting, fast-paced environment, as research has found that 82% of people in event industry jobs enjoy their role.

There are a range of ways to enter the UK events industry!

First and foremost, experience and qualifications can give you valuable knowledge and differentiate you from other prospective candidates. Look into event management courses, university courses and diplomas, which offer practical skills in planning, organising and executing events. Additionally, you can gain valuable experience through volunteering, internships, placement years and entry-level roles. Don’t be afraid to reach out to events companies – employers are always scouting for fresh talent.

For careers in the heart of the business events scene, head to our dedicated careers site. We have a range of jobs available throughout our departments, including marketing, project management, installations and graphic design.

If you’re keen to get involved, drop us an email at careers@quadrant2design.com with your CV and cover letter.