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

Do you want to get paid to plan and organise parties and events? – then a career as an events coordinator may be for you. But don’t be fooled, it’s a highly skilled jobs which requires hard work and exceptional organisational skills.

Events / Conference Coordinators plan and organise events of all sorts, from academic conferences, business seminars and product launches, to concerts, culture festivals, fashion shows and fundraising events. Although these are very different types of event, the duties involved and the skills needed to organise them have some similarities.

As an event/conference coordinator, you arrange for the production of promotional literature and online content, sell exhibition space and ensure that facilities meet all client requirements. You also do a lot of planning, co-ordinating and negotiating activities, finding and booking suitable venues, organising invitations, arranging accommodation and catering facilities and obtaining any technical equipment event delegates may require. You may also be responsible for arranging social activities.

In addition to planning events and conferences, coordinators have to ensure that events run smoothly and budgets are adhered to. They have to be able to think and act quickly if problems arise or if someone makes an unexpected request. Sometimes it may be necessary to organise and co-ordinate more than one event at a time. Some organisers specialise in organising a specific type of event.

When you’re not actively planning or overseeing an event or conference, you may be carrying out market research and identifying business opportunities.

You may be employed by events management companies, hotels, or by other businesses with event venues. But some coordinators work on a freelance basis. Although you may be working mostly during office hours, as the event gets closer, you may end up working weekends, evenings and public holidays.

Every member of staff who deals with customers’ 'personal data', such as names and addresses, or who process payment card transactions, need to have some knowledge of the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR). It is the responsibility of the employer to give job-specific information on GDPR in their organisation. You can read more about data protection in the workplace here.  

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.

Further Information

• Events / Conference Coordinator - from: N.C.S. [UK]
• Events / Conference Coordinator - from: GradIreland

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 / 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 Coordinator 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 for example.

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 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:

Irish Hotels Federation

Restaurants Association of Ireland 

Catering Management Association of Ireland

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €30k - €55k

Salaries vary by employer, location, and duties.

Data Source(s):
Excel/ CPL/ Indeed/ Glassdoor

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 lower than average employment growth rate for this occupation over the five-year period, employment grew strongly between 2021 and 2022 with an additional 5,700 persons employed, surpassing 2019 levels. Approximately a third working in these roles were non-Irish citizens, above the national average, and employment permits issued related to roles for restaurant managers, hotel, duty and accommodation managers.

Advertised vacancies in the OVATE data grew strongly (by nearly a third), albeit from a low base. Vacancies advertised through DSP Jobs Ireland were primarily for restaurant managers but also for managers in catering, food and beverage and hotel. The future demand for hospitality managers will depend on the performance of the different segments of the hospitality sector, with a greater requirement for restaurant managers likely compared to accommodation-related managers.

• 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