Claire Muir: Events vs Marketing

When I was first asked to write this entry it was under the working title, ‘Marketing vs Events’. Hopefully by the end of this blog entry I won’t have been sent to work in the Fitwise basement as a result of offending either department!

This month marks the two year anniversary of my time working at Fitwise. I originally started in a maternity-cover post in the marketing department. Following this, I began a combined Marketing and Events Assistance role and in January this year I began working as an Events Executive in the Events Department. So it’s been a busy two years in which I’ve learned loads, forgotten a little bit, and have managed to sit at 3 different desks, which must be some sort of record for such a short period of time!

When I worked in the marketing department, I undertook a wide range of activities including devising marketing plans that outlined strategies for promoting events and to secure delegate attendance. Tasks included as part of these marketing plans were: undertaking email campaigns, drafting social media coverage and designing flyers and promotional materials such as branded items for giveaways at events.

I also assisted in producing a number of publications for some of our clients, including Newsletters, Magazines and Journals. Other duties included: Fitwise marketing and upkeep of the Fitwise website, maintenance of social media accounts, membership recruitment marketing, and creating post-event surveys.

Since starting in the Events Department, I am responsible for managing one-day conferences and study days and I also assist other members of the team on a collection of larger events. Tasks include: sourcing venues, preparing venue proposals, putting together budgets, creating registration websites, liaising with speakers and booking accommodation and travel, and of course – attending the events.

Experience from my previous jobs meant that there were many aspects of running an event that I had encountered before. Additionally, since I worked a combined marketing/events role at Fitwise last year, working full time in the Events department hasn’t been a massive shock to my system and I feel that I could really hit the ground running.

I have been very fortunate that the marketing and events departments work so closely with each other, so the transition hasn’t been too difficult. I find that I have a mutual appreciation for the amount of work that each department does. When I worked in marketing, I never really thought about how much work was involved in arranging an event before it is launched: sourcing a venue, designing an exhibition floorplan, getting a programme from our client and designing and setting up the registration website – all before the event is ready to be launched to delegates! I have to admit that I was surprised at how long it can take to design and set up a registration website.

Something that has also become very apparent to me is how each department is busy at different times. For example, in the week before an event, an event manager will be very busy making final preparations for an event; getting the up-to-date delegate lists together to take to an event, shipping equipment and putting together on-site information for delegates, exhibitors and team members. For the marketing department, however, they are busiest with an event for a far longer time leading up to the event, promoting the event to potential delegates.

I still find myself thinking about things from a marketing point of view; watching delegate numbers rise and thinking of good hashtags for Twitter where I should be thinking about catering numbers, AV details and venue signage! #NotInKansasNowToto.

I think my knowledge of both departments helps me to do a better job as I have a wider understanding of various aspects of the business.