Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Scheduling Work and Activities Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

The Work

As an Events Marketing Assistant, your key duties relate to supporting marketing activities, assisting with the smooth running of events and creating online content and manage social media accounts.

You may be involved in the marketing and organising of all sorts of events, from small meetings to international conferences or trade fairs. As the assistant, you will usually work with and report to a coordinator or manager.

In terms of marketing, you may help to create promotional and marketing material, such as information leaflets or newsletters.

You may also be responsible for websites and social media accounts, with tasks such as researching and writing content, and you may also monitor and review the accounts in order to increase ‘traffic’.

During events, you may help with practical tasks such as setting up meeting rooms, putting up signage, assisting presenters and attendants before, during and after meetings, and organising refreshments.

You will also have some administrative tasks, such as responding to telephone and email queries, printing and photo copying.

Although you may work office hours most weeks, this role often requires work during evenings and weekends as that is when most events take place.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Consult with customers to determine objectives and requirements for events, such as meetings, conferences, and conventions.
• Review event bills for accuracy and approve payment.
• Coordinate services for events, such as accommodation and transportation for participants, facilities, catering, signage, displays, special needs requirements, printing and event security.
• Arrange the availability of audio-visual equipment, transportation, displays, and other event needs.
• Confer with staff at a chosen event site to coordinate details.
• Inspect event facilities to ensure that they conform to customer requirements.
• Maintain records of event aspects, including financial details.
• Monitor event activities to ensure compliance with applicable regulations and laws, satisfaction of participants, and resolution of any problems that arise.
• Negotiate contracts with such service providers and suppliers as hotels, convention centers, and speakers.
• Evaluate and select providers of services according to customer requirements.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

Typically, an Events Marketing Assistant / Conference Coordinator has experience from working in sales and marketing roles. Developing skills, knowledge, and experience may boost your chances of getting a job.

The most relevant subjects are Business studies, Hospitality & Event Management, Sales and Marketing. And there are several courses in business and event management available in both Colleges of Further Education and Universities.

Training & Development

As an Events / Conference marketing professional you need to keep up-to-date on the market, pricing and be able to identify potential clients. You also need to build up professional relationships with a range of service providers and caterers.

You may want to progress your career by specialising in one type of event, or set up your own event management business.

Undergraduate and postgraduate courses in business, marketing and event management can certainly help you progress.

Training & Development 

FET Centre Traineeship: Business, Hospitality, Customer service, Events promotion, Digital marketing and Management NFQ level 5-6 Search our FET Coursefinder

FET PLC Courses: Hospitality, Travel & Tourism, Business management, Culinary Arts, Marketing NFQ Level 5-6 Search our FET PLC Coursefinder

Apprenticeship: Sales & Recruitment along with Culinary Arts Hospitality & Tourism sector Apprenticeships NFQ level 6-9 Search Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO Entry: Hospitality management, Travel & Tourism, Culinary Arts, Business & Customer events care and management Search our CAO coursefinder

Professional organisations sometimes offer training or promote training providers, so check out organisations, such as:

Failte Ireland

Irish Hotels Federation

Restaurants Association of Ireland 

Catering Management Association of Ireland

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €28k - €50k

Salaries vary by employer, location, experience, and duties.

Data Source(s):
Excel/ Prosperity / Morgan McKinley/ Indeed

Last Updated: March, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Despite a strong employment growth rate for this occupation, employment levels fell between 2021 and 2022. Employment is spread across a number of roles including marketing associate professionals, buyers & procurement officers, conference/expo managers and estate agents. Employment permits issued in 2022 were primarily for roles in the ICT sector such as digital marketing and accounts managers with language skills required for some.

The Recruitment Agency Survey highlighted issues in sourcing candidates for procurement roles. The number of job adverts for this role grew in 2022, driven by increases for buyers/procurement officers and conference organisers etc. In addition, procurement/tendering documentation skills were not confined to this occupation, but were also in demand outside of sales roles, albeit in small numbers.

• Meet in Ireland

  • Dublin Tourism Centre, Suffolk St., Dublin 2
  • +353 1 884 7134
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Fáilte Ireland

  • Amiens Street, Dublin 1
  • (01) 884 7700
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• Irish Hotels Federation

  • 13 Northbrook Road, Dublin 6
  • 01 497 6459
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here

• AOIFE Association for Irish festival events

  • C/o 307, Ballinasloe Enterprise & Technologic Centre Creagh Road Ballinasloe
  • (0)90 9645831
  • [email protected]
  • Click Here