What does an Operations Manager do in events?

If you’re thinking about running an event, conference or exhibition, you may see the phrase ‘operations’ crop up time and time again. You also may be thinking what actually is event operations? 

Much like putting together the pieces of a puzzle, event operations facilitate the coming together of every element that makes up an event – including show design, budgets, safety and security, stand-building, logistics, floorplans, feature building, graphics and printing, sponsorship and exhibitors management, staffing, hospitality, and much more. 

Working alongside sales, marketing, and every other team you may have as an organiser, an Operations Manager will ensure that each part of your event seamlessly works together; creating the best experience possible for exhibitors, sponsors and visitors. What’s more, with their breadth of understanding and experience, they are the ones who will most likely put out (mostly metaphorical but sometimes literal) fires and solve problems as they arise. 

The events industry has a language of its own, and no one speaks it more fluently than Operations professionals. At Ways & Means, for example, our team has more than 20 years of experience across events of every shape, style and size, as well as top-tier qualifications and accreditation. This means that we can understand needs and requirements, negotiate budgets, and foresee any issues in areas as varied as portaloos to signage translation and AV setups to laying carpet. 

More often than not, your Operations Manager will lead your event’s active period, especially during build-up and breakdown. They will be the go-to for any concerns, queries and issues, no matter the time. Put bluntly, the buck often stops with operations, so you want that role to be taken by someone who is good under pressure, is solutions-driven and understands how to make effective decisions when racing against the clock. What’s more, they will also connect the dots in terms of health & safety and risk mitigation; ensuring all activity across an event is as safe as possible for everyone onsite. 

Not every event organiser has this skillset within their internal team or doesn’t need it year-round. That’s where we come in. At Ways & Means, we act as an extension of our clients’ teams; assuming the role of Operations Manager so that they can focus on what they do best – signing sponsors, selling to exhibitors and driving visitor attendance. We work in whichever way suits them best, either managing operations in their entirety or supporting them with specific needs. 

If you’re looking to launch an event or scale one of your existing shows, Ways & Means can help you improve the delivery and execution of your vision, save costs, appoint the best suppliers, and launch into new international markets. Get in touch today, we’d love to chat more.