Student Info Center

Explore ESPA and the profession of Event Service

What is Event Services?

The profession of Event Services is a dynamic, fast-paced, and ever-evolving career path! A critical part of the event planning process, the role as the Event Service Professional brings ongoing interaction with meeting planners and members of your community as well as in-depth exposure to the hospitality industry.

A meeting planner’s primary points of contact with the city, hotel, event venue or convention facility where their meeting is being held is the Event Services Manager. By working very closely together, they become true partners in the execution of events.

The partnership between a meeting planner and an event service professional powers the planning process, creating a memorable experience for attendees while satisfying a planner’s goals and objectives. From the initial event development stages to marketing and promotions to the actual day of the event, ongoing communication enables work to be done and goals to be achieved.

Learn more about Event Services roles within the hospitality industry:

Convention Center Event Service Manager

As the key organizer who ensures every aspect of the planner’s vision and objectives are executed throughout all departments within a Convention Center, an Event Manager plays a critical role in the success of high profile and other events coming into their Center. They oversee a myriad of vendors, labor sources from both inside and outside the facility, catering, billing and other services from multiple departments within the center.

CVB Destination Service Manager

The Destination Service Manager at a Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) – sometimes referred to as a Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) – helps planners traverse their city and connects them to local resources. As a key liaison between the city and the meeting planner, the CVB/DMO event service professional is a vital contributor to securing repeat business for the city. The CVB service professional’s broad-based knowledge allows them to inform the meeting planner on local policies and procedures, products, services and venues.

Hotel and Special Event Venue Service Professional

A Hotel Event Service Professional is the focal point that ties all the details together for groups that bring significant revenue into a hotel or venue–from communicating the specific vision of the Meeting Planner’s goals to delivering seamless hospitality and a successful event experience. The event manager is well-versed in the operation of each department and assists meeting planners with all the details involved with running a successful event.

Benefits of membership

Why join ESPA?

Networking and mentorship opportunities with professionals working in the field, and the ability to make great contacts for your future in the meetings industry.

Professional association involvement is a great resume builder, making you more attractive to prospective employers.

Opportunities to participate in remote training and education right from your computer through our one-hour webinars, complimentary to student members.

Receive a monthly ESPA newsletter that includes industry-related articles and tips from professionals.

Provides you with an opportunity to be part of a group that collaborates and learns from each other to help gain practical and relevant experience.

Students local to our Conference city may be eligible for a Conference Scholarship. Discounted rates apply for all other students.

How to Join

There are two different categories of membership for students

Individual

Student membership

$25 / per year

Any student engaged in hospitality or convention management study at an accredited college or university. To join at this level, simply sign up with a visitor account on the My ESPA Portal link on the web site, go to the online store and purchase the student membership. Note that a student ID will be required.

Educational

Institution

$50 / per year

Any accredited post-secondary college, university or school. The membership shall comprise one (1) educator to serve as the primary member contact, to be specifically named and updated by the institution. The institution primary contact may extend membership benefits to up to five (5) enrolled students. Let your educators know about this opportunity! Have them contact info@espaonline.org for details.