Organise and coordinate services for conferences, events, functions, banquets and seminars.

As an event coordinator you plan, organise and help execute events to meet the client’s needs. You respond to enquiries about event services and costs and meet with customers to identify their needs and outline suitable event package options. You arrange and coordinate venue facilities, catering, signage, displays, audiovisual equipment, accommodation, transport and social activities for participants. You manage registrations, negotiate service types and pricing within budget, and oversee contractor work, reporting any variations to ensure events run smoothly and meet client expectations.

TAFE SA offers courses relevant to this occupation including the Diploma of Events. Pathways include Certificate III in Events.

Event coordination is an interesting and varied role; many event coordinators work in larger and small hotels, venues and function centres. Event coordinators also work for professional conference organisers, professional associations, meetings and event management companies, charities and regional festivals.
Because of the wide variety of work, it is difficult to determine the exact nature of future demand. Employment is largely dependent on the level of business event, tourism and economic activity. There are possible prospects for self-employment.

The event coordinator's role can include venue selection and event marketing and ensuring that the client's needs can be met within their budget, confirming how many guests or delegates will be attending the event, organising any catering requirements and ensuring that proceedings will run according to time specifications are the details they attend to. The event coordinator is also responsible for making special arrangements such as ordering entertainment, centrepieces or decorations and staging for special theme nights.

People working as event, function and convention coordinators agree that the most fulfilling aspect of their work, given the time and effort that's invested, is watching all of the arrangements come together smoothly. Organisation is the key to effective functions, so it goes without saying that good organisational skills are a must. Excellent communication skills and attention to detail will ensure that the client's needs are met satisfactorily. It also means that they will most likely keep you in mind when planning their next function. Event coordinators tend to work in an office environment but much of their work is conducted on site at hotels and function centres. Working after hours or on the weekend is very common.

Event coordinators are usually employed by the larger hotels and convention venues and companies that specifically provide a convention or event management service.

The event coordinator liaises regularly with the client to ensure that all of the client's requests are met and completed on time. Sourcing locations and facilities, as well as compiling any materials needed are some of their main duties. Some of the requirements for an event could be the availability of audiovisual equipment for presentations as well as access to email and the Internet. It's also up to the coordinator to suggest ways that the client's planned event could be improved.