Exhibition and conference organisers plan and co-ordinate events such as exhibitions, trade shows and conferences. These can range from major events such as the Ideal Home Exhibition, the Chelsea Flower Show or party political conferences, to smaller local or regional events.

Organisers can work for event management companies, for exhibition or conference venues, or as freelance organisers. The work is generally split into three areas. It is possible to work in any or all of the following:

Marketing - researching the level of interest in a specific event, and finding suitable venues and dates to hold it. The publicity, design and printing of tickets, posters and promotional items to advertise the event is then organised.

Sales - selling stand space to exhibitors by telephone or face-to-face and arranging sponsorship. During an exhibition sales staff may contact all the exhibitors to try to sell space for future events.

Operations - co-ordinating all the practical aspects, from planning timetables, booking venues to supervising contractors such as exhibition designers, stand suppliers, audio-visual production companies and caterers. During the event, operations staff work closely with venue staff, and deal with enquiries from exhibitors, speakers, sponsors and visitors/delegates. They supervise health and safety issues and ensure the venue is cleared safely.

Please see the Events Manager profile for related information.

Hours and Environment

Exhibition/conference organisers are mostly office based and spend a lot of time on the telephone. They travel to meet potential sponsors and exhibitors, and to visit venues, contractors and other exhibitions.

Just before, and during an event, operations staff work long hours, often including weekends to meet deadlines.

Organising exhibitions or conferences can also be a role undertaken by someone with other duties in an organisation. For example, their main role may be in sales and marketing, human resources or as a personal assistant, but they manage occasional events when necessary.

Skills and Interests

The skills required depend on whether the exhibition organiser’s role is in sales, marketing or operations. However, all exhibition organisers should:

• be able to work within a team environment
• be able to liaise with people at all levels, from clients to contractors
• have good communication skills with a good telephone manner
• have excellent organisational skills with the ability to ‘multi-task’
• be able to work under pressure to strict deadlines
• have good negotiation skills, particularly in sales and marketing
• have lots of stamina, particularly during the show itself
• have an understanding of budgets
• have IT skills
• be able to pay close attention to detail.

Entry

There are no formal entry requirements, although many candidates have BTEC HND or degree-level qualifications, particularly in subjects such as event management, marketing, business studies or languages.

To enter a degree course you will usually need at least five GCSEs (A-C)/S grades (1-3) plus two A levels/three Highers, or equivalent qualifications. For a HNC/HND you will usually need one or two A levels/H grades or equivalent. An Access to Higher Education qualification may be accepted for entry to certain courses. Please check with colleges or universities for exact entry requirements.

Relevant experience is normally required, such as a background in sales, marketing or publishing, and relatively few people begin their careers as exhibition organisers. Sometimes those with an administrative background cross over to exhibition/events management, particularly those with experience of organising meetings or corporate events.

Most exhibition personnel begin in a junior or administrative position and work their way up.

Training

Training opportunities once you are in employment vary according to the size of the company. They may be provided in-house or externally.

• NVQ Levels 2, 3 and 4 in Events
• NVQ Level 3 in Events (Temporary Structures).  

Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) courses are also recognised by the events industry. These are available throughout the UK by part-time or full-time study, or by distance learning. Full details can be found on the CIM websites. Please see the Further Information section.

See the Events Manager profile for related information.

Opportunities

Most exhibition staff work for one of the hundreds of exhibition companies all over the country. Half of the exhibitions industry is in London and the south east. Other key areas of employment are based around major exhibition venues in Birmingham, Cardiff, Manchester, Glasgow and Edinburgh.

There is no formal promotion structure. Experience in sales, marketing or operations can lead to management positions. Many organisers work freelance, or set up their own company.

Annual Income

The annual income section is intended as a guideline only.

Starting salaries in exhibition sales may be around £16,000 plus commission.
Sales co-ordinators can earn between £17,000 and £20,000 plus commission.
Experienced sales or marketing managers can earn between £24,000 and £28,000 plus commission.
An exhibition director can earn between £40,000 and £48,000 plus commission.

Further information

Tel: 0870 112 6970  Moor Hall
Cookham
Maidenhead
Berkshire
SL6 9QH
Tel: 01628 427500 119 High Street
Berkhamstead
Hertfordshire
HP4 2DJ
Tel: 01442 285810 Charles House (6th Floor)
148-149 Great Charles Street
Birmingham
B3 3HT
Tel: 0121 212 1400 ACE International
Riverside House
High Street
Huntingdon
Cambridgeshire
PE18 6SG
Tel: 01480 457595