How to Make a Career Change With an Events Franchise

Making a career change can feel like a momentous decision, but as an events business franchisee, you’ll be working in one of the most exciting and varied industries in the country. Here’s what you need to know to make a career change with an events franchise.

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The events industry has been hit hard by the pandemic, but if you’re thinking that now is a bad time to enter the events world, you’d be mistaken. Gigs, festivals, corporate, arts and cultural events have all been delayed by one, sometimes even two years, but that means many events businesses are fully booked in the coming months.

At its peak, the events sector accounted for over £70 billion pounds of direct spend. And as we all look forward to getting back to doing things we’ve missed, this is a sector that could grow spectacularly again [conference news].

Why start an events franchise?

Although the events industry has had it tough over the last 18 months, events franchises are coming back swinging. There’s also a huge amount to like about working as an events franchisee.

• Every day and event is different
• You’ll be hand-crafting tailored events for the right customers
• You’ll be a part of an ambitious and forward-facing industry
• You’ll have extensive training to help you on your way

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>> Read more:

• How to hire staff for your business
• Refreshing your business brand
• Franchising 101: What Exactly Does a Franchise Owner Do?

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How to make a career change with an events franchise

1. Familiarise yourself with hybrid events

Hundreds of thousands of events have been cancelled. Many were held digitally, some have been held in person but with social distancing measures, and some are looking to a different way completely.

Hybrid events are increasingly looking like the future of the events industry, but you’ll need to plan ahead to get these events right. In a nutshell, hybrid events are designed to combine the best of both in-person gatherings and the benefits of virtual events, hence their names.

These events have been taking the industry by storm in recent months, with a staggering 97% of event marketers saying that more hybrid events will be held over the course of this year than ever before [Bizzabo].

This means that if you’re not already familiar with these kinds of events, you should make it a priority. This is an industry that is never standing still and is always looking for ways to innovate and push the boundaries, and this is just the latest version of it. Hybrid events mean you need more planning and backing, so working with a franchise in putting them together could be very advantageous.

The main goal of a hybrid event is to move from siloed experiences to one shared experience that creates value and drives impact for everyone… It’s about the fact that people are craving connected moments — now more than ever. — Rachel Rappaport, Bizzaboo.

2. Pick the right franchise for you

There are lots of franchising options within the events sector, but there are also plenty of opportunities in adjacent sectors.

For example, while you could look to operate as a franchisee for a business that caters to sporting clients around the world, such as DIGI-SPORTS, you could also work as a marquee and tent supplier to all different kinds of functions with Party Tent Company.

Only you know where your skills are best put to use, but each of these franchises works with a different sub-sector of the events industry. They will each have their own clients, ways of working and supply chains, so pick the option that best suits your skills and passions.

3. Sharpen your skills

Speaking of skills, this is an area that you’ll need to invest some time and effort into. If you haven’t already, you should make a list of all of your best skills and any relevant experience that will help you in the events industry. Fortunately, you won’t need a specific set of qualifications or licences to work in events, but the more relevant experience you have, the better.

Before you start drawing up the plans for your own events business, ask yourself if you have any relevant experience in:

• Organisation
• Team management
• People-facing roles
• Flexible and adaptable working
• Working in fast-paced environments

All of the above are some of the most essential skills for working in events. Your working environment will be fast-moving, highly-changeable and will require you to speak and organise directly with your customers. If you can prove to a potential franchisor that you’ve got many of these skills, you’re already at an advantage.

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>> Read more:

• Ready for a Career Change? Check Out These Five Top Franchise Opportunities in the UK
• Career Change: Start a Fresh Career with a Franchise
• Fed Up With the 9-to-5 Perhaps Starting a Franchise Business Is Your Best Next Career Move

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4. Network

A huge part of any industry is who you meet. By working in the events sector, you’ll be rubbing shoulders with people who have been working in events for several decades already, as well as total newcomers. On top of this, you’ll often come into contact with tradespeople who themselves have lost lots of business as well.

Pursue positive relationships with all your stakeholders. By having good relationships with people in your sector, you’ll hear about new trends, technologies, opportunities and businesses springing up. And, with many tradespeople having lost plenty of business, having good relationships with your suppliers and maintenance contacts will help you gain repeat customers, on top of getting competitive deals.

5. Take on professional advice

Once you’re ready to open, be prepared to delay your plans by a month or two as you take on advice. This might be frustrating and you could find some holes in your plans, but this is all good experience and this feedback will make your events franchise all the better.

Getting an outside perspective is always important and as you’ll have a franchisor, industry contacts and lending institutions working with you, each will be able to give you different pieces of feedback to make your plan stronger.

Start a business as an events franchise and enjoy working in this varied and exciting industry

Operating as a franchisee brings with it many benefits, not least the fact that franchisees have much higher survival rates than independent businesses. In what has been a hard hit, but recovering industry, your franchised business will be in a great place to capitalise on this sector growing quickly again.

If franchising sounds like the right kind of opportunity for you, but you want to have a look at other sectors, have a look at the UK franchise directory to see a full list of available opportunities.