As you start looking for event tech jobs, where do you even start?
Before you start perusing the LinkedIn postings, first you need to decide what type of position you want.
- Full-time vs part-time?
- Contractor vs employee?
- Do you need benefits?
- Are you able to or do you want to travel?
Remember, this isn’t a forever decision – I regularly see people jump from an agency to go in-house to work for a supplier to back to an agency. You only need to find your starting point and what’s right for you today. As you gain experience, you will be able to move around as your wants and needs change.
There are three general places to look for event tech jobs — and each comes with different pros and cons.
Working for a company that hosts events (in-house)
Events are having a moment in the marketing world and more and more companies are hosting events. I’m willing to bet all of your favorite companies and brands host them!
Who hosts events:
- Non-profits (galas and fundraisers)
- Life sciences organizations
- Trade associations
- Financial services
- Universities
- Various fandoms
- And all of your favorite companies and brands (events are a part of marketing)
Working in-house brings you the stability of a full-time job with benefits. The downside is that depending up on the organization and team size, your may end up with more events on your plate than you can handle, and no one to help you out.
There are event tech jobs for every working style
Working for an event agency
Particularly in the for-profit space, companies hire event agencies to help them deliver their events. They bring in the experts who have the knowledge, skills, and existing relationships with venues, other agencies, and vendors to deliver an exceptional event.
If you are looking for a less-than-full-time role or prefer to contract as opposed to being an employee, then I recommend looking at agencies first. I know several agencies who have a combination of full-time and part-time employees and contractors.
Working for an agency is the way to get the broadest experience from both a client and technology standpoint. As you start your research keep in mind that some agencies require existing event tech experience. But not all do, so don’t give up!
Working for an event tech provider
The third option is to work for an event tech provider – meaning a software company that provides products for events. There are plenty of both technical and non-technical event tech jobs to be had at these companies.
- Registration provider
- Session management
- Housing management
- Event platform management (all-in-one solution)
- Mobile apps
- Networking
- Venue sourcing
- Onsite management
- And so many more
Explore a career in event tech
The event tech provider industry is a dynamic place, with hundreds of companies supporting the hundreds of thousands of events that happen even year. With a three-fold projected increase in events over the next five years if you want to work in events, there is something in our industry for you!
Our free action plan – Explore Event Tech: A Next Step Action Plan for Career Changers – is designed to help you efficiently evaluate what it means to work in event tech and decide if an event tech job could be for you. Get your copy below.
