Organising Committee

The event manager need not necessarily be skilled in all aspects of event management but they should endeavour to surround themselves with helpers who have a range of useful skills. This is the purpose of the organising committee.

The organising committee has three main functions:

Planning and advisory function

To assist and advise the event director to formulate plans and policies. Planning is generally better when ideas and issues are discussed in a small group environment. There is less chance of something being forgotten or overlooked when a group makes a decision rather than a single individual.

Executive Function

The organising committee can assist in the process of managing the myriad of tasks that need to be done. Committee members, having a good knowledge of the event management plan, are well placed to provide training, supervision and assistance to other personnel involved in the organisation of the event.

Worker Function

Ideally the organising committee comprises people with good knowledge, skills and experience of events. If so, members of the organising committee will often desire to directly carry out the event tasks. Organising committee members tend to be the most reliable and diligent workers, and often they perform such work on a voluntary basis.

It is important that the event director and the organising committee work together with close co-operation. At this highest level of event management all parties need to 'pull in the same direction'.