Is Events Management a Profession?

Is Events Management a Profession?

This is a topical subject within the industry, as theories have contradicting views of what a profession is defined as. Therefore in order to begin this discussion it is essential to define what is a ‘profession’?

According to Millersons (1964) ‘What Constitutes a Profession?’ is having skills based on theoretical knowledge, the provision of training and education, testing the competence of member, organisation, adhering to a professional code of conduct and altruistic service (doing something for somebody else).  Similarly Wilensky (1964) also believes that the development of a profession is categorised into various stages. He also considers a profession to be established through a training school and also based on the founding of a professional association. Therefore the two authors share similar views that in order for an industry to be considered as a profession practitioners must have: theoretical knowledge, work within a formal code, and protected through an association.

However in terms on events management, it is difficult to apply these definitions. Consequently raising the issue whether events management is a profession?

It can be suggested that from the perspective of an events management student, events management is a profession as you can undertake the provision of training and education in order to complete a degree. Nevertheless, in order to relate to the definitions provided by Millerson’s (1964) and Wilensky (1964) the completion of training school is mandatory. However, in practice although events management courses are widely available. The components of managing events can be learnt on site in practice, without theoretical knowledge.  Conversely, withholding an event management degree is something that is thriving when looking for jobs in the events industry as a graduate. Therefore it can be suggested that the future of events management is that, the provision and establishment of training will ultimately become compulsory in order to undertake an events management job role.

On the other hand, the adherence to a professional code of conduct is a contemporary topic within the events industry. Currently, The EMBOK model is a framework of the components of event management and is flexible to the needs of its user. However, although this model is used as a “framework”, in practice it is not adhered to. Nevertheless, it can also be suggested that event managers work to the code of conduct of health and safety within events. For example, event safety is a component of the HSE executive and provides with help to run events safety. The guide comprises factors such as, working with contractors, workers at events and health and safety. 

Therefore, overall it can be suggested that events management is an ‘emerging profession’, due to its popularity as a professional qualification. However in order to be classed as a profession, the establishment of a training school must be compulsory in order to obtain skills based on theoretical knowledge. Also, the adherence to a professional code of conduct is something that needs to be developed in order for event managers to utilize the efficacy of the framework.