Event consultant: what they do and how they add value

1st October, 2025

In this article

Have you ever seen an event fall apart because the small details got missed? Maybe key guests were left waiting, the sound system failed or nobody took charge when things went sideways. For hotels, venues and brands, one overlooked mistake can mean lost revenue, reputational damage and fewer bookings next season. 

The pressure to get every moment right is growing. That’s why more companies are turning to event consultants when the stakes are high. But what actually sets an event consultant apart from a traditional planner? And why are brands willing to invest in this level of expertise?

In this guide, you’ll discover what event consultants really do, how they create measurable value and why learning their approach can set you apart in today’s competitive hospitality industry.

The event consultant job description

So what is an event consultant?. Think of them as specialists who go beyond logistics and scheduling. An event consultant advises organizations on how to design, execute and evaluate events so every detail supports broader business goals.

Unlike an event planner, who focuses on timelines and tasks, an event consultant looks at the entire strategy behind the event, ensuring each element delivers measurable value.

Their contribution usually involves the following:

Event strategy and concept development

Consultants work with stakeholders to shape events that align with commercial goals. Whether it’s launching a new service at a high-end hotel, hosting international guests or increasing annual revenue through corporate functions, the consultant ensures every detail serves the broader objective.

Budget planning and cost control

A consultant’s knowledge of operational costs and market trends means they’re often tasked with maximizing value while maintaining quality. They help control costs, evaluate supplier contracts and identify opportunities for cost savings without compromising the guest experience.

Vendor sourcing and contract negotiations

Consultants bring extensive experience in reviewing contracts and managing supplier expectations. From signing long-term contracts with beverage providers to securing audiovisual (AV) services for international conferences, their involvement improves efficiency and outcome.

Contingency and risk management

Whether dealing with guest complaints, weather disruptions or speaker cancellations, consultants plan for multiple scenarios. Their role is to protect the brand and the budget while maintaining excellent customer service throughout.

Post-event evaluation

Using property management systems, customer feedback tools and performance data, consultants assess guest satisfaction ratings and event ROI. This often includes reviewing desk operations, team leadership and collaboration with departments such as food and beverage or front desk staff.

As events become more complex and expectations grow, the demand for this type of strategic support continues to rise. According to Allied Market Research, the global event services market is expected to reach $1.55 trillion by 2028, driven by rising occupancy rates, customized guest experiences and the pursuit of additional revenue. 

For anyone looking to take advantage of the growing demand for strategic event expertise, now is the time to build the right skills. A program such as Les Roches’ event management degree offers students the industry knowledge and practical experience to succeed in coordination and consulting roles.

gettyimages Credit: Maskot

How event consultants add value to clients and teams

The best event consultants do more than pull off a successful day. They change how teams work together, raise the bar for guest experience and help organizations actually learn from every event.

Their impact can be seen in several key ways:

Increase guest retention and positive reviews 

Consultants dig into feedback to identify exactly what people loved and what missed the mark. They help teams fine-tune touchpoints, from personalized welcomes to post-event follow-ups, so more guests choose to return and recommend the venue to friends and colleagues.

Over time, this steady focus on experience leads to higher ratings and a reputation for reliability.

Unlock more revenue from each event 

Consultants bring an outside perspective and a business mindset. They spot opportunities to create new packages, premium add-ons or exclusive experiences that drive extra revenue. This might include developing VIP tiers, building in sponsorship options or designing unique upsell moments throughout the event, helping the organization earn more from every guest. 

Strengthen team communication and confidence 

By mapping out clear roles, building better communication routines and running honest debriefs, consultants help break down silos between departments. Teams learn to solve problems together, share information faster and back each other up when things get busy.

After working with a consultant, staff often feel more empowered and prepared to handle challenges on their own. 

Turn feedback into real improvements

Instead of letting guest surveys and team notes collect dust, consultants set up practical systems for acting on what’s learned. This could mean creating a shared feedback log, assigning owners to tackle specific issues or updating training so every lesson from one event carries over to the next.

These changes make every event run smoother and help the organization continue raising its standards. 

Raise service standards and drive innovation 

With experience across many venues and markets, consultants introduce proven new ideas that help organizations stand out. They may suggest trying digital guest apps, building a signature moment into every event or piloting sustainable practices that attendees remember.

These fresh approaches help keep the brand relevant and ensure events always feel special. 

You’ll see the results not just in better events, but in the business as a whole: stronger guest loyalty, more consistent revenue, happier teams and a reputation for always getting it right.

When and why to hire an event consultant

Not every function requires external advice, but when guest satisfaction, revenue targets or public image are on the line, hiring an event consultant makes sense. Consultants bring strategic oversight and hands-on experience, helping to improve operational efficiency, financial performance and the overall success of an event.

Their support adds the most value in the following scenarios:

High-profile or international events

Major conferences, global summits, celebrity galas or product launches with international guests demand flawless coordination. Consultants ensure cultural differences, logistics and VIP needs are handled with precision so the event reflects well on your brand.

Complex, multi-stakeholder gatherings

Events that involve multiple teams, sponsors, vendors or community partners can easily get tangled in miscommunication or last-minute surprises. Consultants create systems for collaboration and help teams stay focused on shared goals, whether it’s a citywide festival, industry expo or nonprofit fundraiser.

Limited internal resources or experience

When your in-house staff is already stretched or new to large-scale events, a consultant can step in to provide guidance, fill expertise gaps and upskill your team for future projects, without adding permanent overhead.

Brand launches and repositioning

If you’re rolling out a new identity, entering a new market or launching a signature program, an event consultant can help you maximize impact, ensure messaging is consistent and manage press and guest experience for lasting results.

Hybrid, virtual and post-pandemic formats

Today’s events often combine in-person and digital elements. Consultants help choose the right platforms, manage risk across channels and adapt the experience for remote and onsite attendees, crucial for everything from sports tournaments to investor meetings.

Events with high reputational risk

Any occasion that puts your organization in the spotlight, such as charity galas, press events or crisis response activities, benefits from a consultant’s ability to foresee challenges, handle sensitive communications and protect your public image.

In every case, consultants help reduce risk, control costs and improve the guest experience, which can lead to better occupancy rates, stronger financial records and measurable achievements.

Skills and traits every successful event consultant needs

To stand out, you need to bring a mix of skills and character traits that enable you to handle high-stakes situations and make a lasting impact.

The following is what separates the best in the business:

Strategic thinking and industry knowledge

The best consultants know how to align event planning with broader business strategy, reviewing past performance, setting KPIs and integrating market trends. A deep understanding of systems such as property management systems or booking software helps them provide context-specific solutions.

Financial management and budget control

Controlling costs while maintaining quality is essential for event success. Therefore, event consultants must be adept at building budgets, reviewing expenses and identifying opportunities for savings that don’t affect guest experience. This ensures your events deliver good value for your clients. 

Excellent communication and collaboration

Event consultants work with a diverse group of people, including venue staff, caterers, sponsors, vendors, executives and even performers or speakers. Whether you’re leading a planning session, resolving a sponsor’s concern or relaying last-minute changes to a technical team, you need to keep everyone aligned and informed. 

The ability to communicate clearly, listen actively and encourage teamwork helps even the most complex events run smoothly, whether at a hotel, a convention center, a stadium or an outdoor festival.

Adaptability and problem solving

Unexpected guest concerns or technical issues can derail an event. For this reason, an event consultant has to adapt quickly, respond calmly to surprises and help the team shift direction when plans change. This ability is essential for protecting the guest experience and the organizer’s reputation.

Resilience under pressure

High-stakes events come with tough deadlines, demanding clients and unexpected challenges. The best consultants are steady, resourceful and able to lead teams through even the most stressful situations.

Guest-centric mindset

Everything from floor plans to food and beverage timing must be done with the attendee in mind. A consultant focuses on guest feedback, satisfaction ratings and moments of personalized service that improve overall perception and lead to improvement in customer satisfaction.

Curiosity and a learning attitude 

The industry never stops evolving. That’s why event consultants need to stay curious and invest in their own learning through new projects, professional development or programs such as the event management degree and sports management and events degree at Les Roches. 

If you’re aiming for this path, these are the skills and traits that open doors and build a reputation that lasts. 

Want to lead events that impress and perform?

Gain the expertise to plan, advise and innovate with a degree that combines strategy and hospitality insight.

Bachelor of science in hospitality management

The path to becoming an event consultant

If you’re aiming for a consulting role, the journey usually involves a combination of formal education, hands-on experience and continuous performance evaluation.

Start with formal education

A strong foundation in hospitality management helps build academic knowledge and real-world skills. Programs such as the Les Roches event management degree combine technical training with internships, allowing students to gain relevant experience early on.

Coursework often covers guest satisfaction strategies, hotel operations, event coordination and marketing.

Consider further specialization

Professionals seeking more senior roles or a shift into the sports or international events market often pursue postgraduate study. The Les Roches sports management and events program includes modules on sponsorship, financial analysis, stakeholder communication and international event delivery, ideal for those targeting high-value consulting roles.

Build a diverse portfolio

Work across a range of event types, be they corporate, cultural, nonprofit or private. Document your key achievements, customer satisfaction scores and measurable results such as guest wait times, attendance numbers or additional revenue generated.

Tailor your resume template

When applying for event consultant or leadership positions, build your resume to highlight relevant certifications, technical skills and a proven record of managing successful events.

Focus on showcasing your experience coordinating diverse teams, handling client communications, problem solving under pressure and delivering measurable results for clients or organizations. 

Include achievements such as managing multi-vendor projects, improving guest or attendee satisfaction and introducing new processes or technologies that elevated the quality of events. This approach will help you stand out whether you’re targeting roles in hospitality, corporate events, nonprofit functions or brand activations.

Freelance vs in-house consulting: choosing your path

Event consultants can build their careers as part of an in-house team or on their own. Each path offers unique opportunities and challenges and your choice will depend on your goals, lifestyle and the kinds of events you want to work on.

Freelance event consultants

Freelancers are usually experienced professionals who manage their own clients, contracts and schedules. This path allows you to work with a range of organizations offering services from strategic planning to on-site event management.

Pros:

  • Independence: you set your own schedule and choose the projects you want
  • Specialization: you can focus on the types of events or clients you enjoy most
  • Variety: every project can offer a new challenge and environment

Cons:

  • Variable income: your earnings may fluctuate month to month
  • Business development: you’re responsible for finding clients and managing contracts
  • No set career ladder: you build your own growth opportunities

In-house consultants

A consultant working exclusively for a single organization, such as a global brand, nonprofit, sports federation or large agency that produces multiple events, is considered an in-house consultant. These consultants are typically involved in annual planning, process improvement and team training.

Pros:

  • Stable salary: regular pay and often benefits
  • Professional development: access to training and internal promotions
  • Large-scale projects: exposure to high-profile or recurring events

Cons:

  • Less flexibility: set hours and organizational processes to follow
  • Potential bureaucracy: more structure and approval layers
  • Limited client diversity: most work centers around the same brand or mission

Many consultants explore both models during their career depending on their lifestyle, location and career goals.

How to know if consulting is right for you

Before you pursue a role as an event consultant, consider these questions:

  • Are you comfortable advising different departments on improving attendee experience? 
  • Can you connect events with long-term business outcomes, such as attendance rates, engagement or fundraising goals? 
  • Do you enjoy leading cross-functional teams and solving real-time challenges? 
  • Are you prepared to use your skills and experience to drive high standards for every client or event?

If you can answer “yes” to most of these, event consulting could be the perfect career path for you.

Event consultants: a career on the rise 

As hotels, venues and brands place greater value on flawless guest experiences and measurable outcomes at their events, the need for skilled consultants keeps growing. Companies are no longer looking for people who can simply plan; they want experts who can think strategically, solve problems in real time and help teams deliver events that truly stand out.

If you want to take advantage of this rising demand, now is the time to build the right foundation. The most successful consultants combine practical experience with a strong educational background that teaches strategy, innovation and hands-on leadership.

Choosing a world-class program such as Les Roches’ event management degree or sports management and events is one of the smartest ways to get there. You’ll graduate prepared for the challenges ahead and ready to become the expert clients trust to make every event a success.

Main image – gettyimages Credit: shapecharge