Marketing events are a key factor in creating brand awareness, establishing customer relations, and achieving business success. But it truly takes a maestro behind the scenes to ensure everything goes off without a hitch. Enter the Marketing Event Coordinator role.
If you’ve ever asked yourself, “What does a Marketing Event Coordinator do?” or “What skill set should I have to become a Marketing Event Coordinator?” or “How can I get into marketing and become a Marketing Event Coordinator?” you’re in luck. This guide on the inside-outside sales model covers everything you need to know about this dynamic, rapid-paced position.
What Does a Marketing Event Coordinator Do?
A Marketing Event Coordinator is hired to handle and oversee the company’s promotional events to advertise or market its products and services. This could be product launches, trade shows, sponsorships of conferences, workshops or things like virtual webinars. Consider them the designer of unforgettable brand experiences; they take care of all the behind-the-scenes work—from booking a venue to guest-list management—and ensure a smooth execution.
But careful planning is only part of this role. It takes an effective marketing event coordinator to serve as a right-hand to marketing and event managers to manage the logistics, budget, and audience experience goals.
Marketing Event Coordinator Job Description
Duties and Responsibilities of a Marketing Event Coordinator
Ever wonder what a day in the life of a Marketing Event Coordinator is like? Their to-do list is long, full of variety and interest. Here is a selection of some of what they do:
Event Planning and Logistics
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Coordinating events, such as timelines and schedules
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Book facilities and work with suppliers (caterer, A/V equipment, etc.)
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Permit, contract, and insurance documents
Budget Management
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Knowing when to spend a lot of resources, and when to stay within the budget
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Finding cheap alternatives that are still good quality
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Invoice management, expense tracking
Engagement with the Audience and Marketing
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Working with marketing team to market the event online and offline
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Making promotional materials, including event flyers, email campaigns, and social media posts
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Creative generating registration or ticket sales drivers
On Site/Day of Coordination
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Supervision of venue set ups and brand exposure
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Resolving last-minute problems (tech glitches, late vendors and the like)
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Making sure guests have a seamless, unforgettable time
Post-Event Analysis
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Gathering Attendee Feedback: The gauge for Event Success
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Evaluation of ROI and critical insights for future enhancements
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Compiling summary reports for stakeholders after an event
All of this is being managed by that Marketing Event Coordinator and trying to make sure everything is on time and has quality and impact.
Key Skills for a Marketing Event Coordinator
Getting a job as a Marketing Event Coordinator requires a combination of hard and soft skills. Here’s what successful professionals have to offer:
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Time Management: Nailing a tight turnaround between competing deadlines is second-nature to the superior event organizers. If you do well under pressure and can build a project’s timeline without hiccups, then this job is for you.
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Strong Communication: As liaison between stakeholders, team members, and vendors, you need to have a clear, assertive, and professional approach.
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Problem-Solving: Few things go 100% according to plan. From a difficult supplier to an unexpected guest cancellation, knowing how to beat last-minute havoc can be your greatest asset.
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Detail-Oriented: Nothing is too small, from picking top-tier caterers to making sure the Wi-Fi is strong.
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Creativity and Adaptability: Great Marketing Event Coordinators don’t just recycle old ideas – they do things differently, upping the game and making the event fresh and exciting for everyone.
Everyday Gear and Gadgets that Marketing Event Coordinators Need
Today’s Marketing Event Coordinators use technology to make their role easier. Here are some key tools they rely on every day:
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Event Management Platforms: Brands have tools like Cvent, Bizzabo, and Eventbrite that will assist with logistics at the event, keep track of attendees, and facilitate the ticketing process.
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Marketing Automation Software: Services such as Mailchimp and HubSpot help with email promotions and digital marketing for events.
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Project Management Tools: One of the popular niche market trends that will continue is organization software such as Trello, Monday.com, or Asana is essential to keep all of your tasks and schedules in order.
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Social Media Tools: You can even quicken the pace with Hootsuite, or Buffer, so that the promotion remains consistent on platforms like Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.
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Analytics Tools: Tools such as Google Analytics or attendee surveys yield invaluable information when it comes to measuring event success and marketing ROI.
Job Growth for Aspiring Marketing Event Coordinators
How do you become a Marketing Event Coordinator?
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Educational Background: A degree in marketing, communications, business administration or hospitality management can often be a good launching pad.
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Gain Relevant Experience: Beginning in a marketing or event assistant position gives you the opportunity to cut your teeth and develop a skill set.
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Build a Portfolio: One step further volunteer to plan community/university events. Anything that you can add to your portfolio is going to show off your knowledge to prospective employers.
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Leverage Certifications: Bolster your credibility with certifications such as CMP or CSEP.
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Network and Stay Current: Best ways to keep up to date with trends and build a network: Attend industry events, courses, and networking to make yourself aware of trends and increase the size of your network.
How Much Does a Marketing Event Coordinator Get Paid?
What you should expect to earn will depend on location, company size and level of experience, but here’s a breakdown of averages:
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Entry Level ($40,000 – $50,000 per year): Entry-level positions provide a good starting point for new grads or for those supporting higher level event managers.
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Mid-level Coordinators ($50,000 – $70,000 per year): With 3-5 years of experience, more senior Marketing Event Coordinators can earn more, and would have the chance to work on bigger events.
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Senior-Level Positions ($70,000–$90,000+ p/a): Senior event planner, marketing events manager: If you grow into one of these positions, you will get paid well and will have some people to lead.
Industry (i.e., corporate, nonprofit, entertainment), and geographic requirements also affect earning potential.
Why This Job Will Become Even More Important
There will always be a demand for creative, unforgettable marketing events. As in-person events make their comeback from the pandemic and the hybrid event world explodes, the marketing event coordinator is in a unique place to create change and get things done.
Some developmental trends in this career are:
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Sustainability: They are responsible for sensibly organizing ‘green’ events.
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Hybrid Experiences: Technology will be used to blend a virtual and in-person experience as the norm.
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Event Personalization: Personalization will become the norm, with experience being curated for specific audiences.
If you’re someone who needs connection, thrives on pressure, and wants to create unforgettable customer experiences, this could be your dream path.
Expanding your business often requires venturing into new territory. Learn which strategic model supports simultaneous product innovation and market expansion in What Growth Strategy Combines New Markets and New Products?.
