How to be a successful event organiser: Key responsibilities to get right
The title of Event Organiser comes with a wide range of important responsibilities. In the UK events industry, from festivals to corporate functions and sporting fixtures, an organiser must ensure every aspect is planned for safety, legality, and overall success.
In this guide, we’ll walk through essential responsibilities every event organiser should cover, using industry best practices and providing useful resources to help you deliver a successful, safe, and fully compliant event.
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Venue suitability and compliance
Choosing a venue involves much more than availability. Your event site needs to be suitable, accessible, and compliant with all safety and legal regulations.
Questions to ask:
- What hazards or risks are present at the site?
- How will you lay out the event for optimal safety and convenience?
- Are emergency routes clearly marked and accessible?
- Do you have the correct permits, event insurance, and local authority approvals?
Don’t forget about post-event responsibilities:
- Have you arranged for waste management?
- Have you considered your event’s noise and environmental impact?
🎯 Tip: Work with providers who understand sustainable event practices.
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Know your audience
The success and safety of your event rely heavily on understanding your audience.
Consider:
- Who is attending? (e.g. families, elderly, young adults?)
- What are the specific safety or accessibility needs of this group?
- Are there any at-risk individuals such as children or people with mobility challenges?
Tailor your planning to match the profile of your audience. This will inform decisions on security, accessibility, and medical cover.
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Staff preparation and training
Your team needs to be fully qualified and trained for their assigned roles. It’s essential to:
- Vet staff qualifications
- Conduct background and DBS checks
- Ensure each staff member receives role-specific health and safety training
🔗 For reliable and qualified on-site medical professionals, see our Event First Aid Services.
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Medical cover and risk assessment
Every event organiser has a duty of care to prepare for potential injuries and medical emergencies. This depends on the type of event, activity risk level, and crowd size.
Ask yourself:
- What activities may pose medical risks?
- What is the likelihood of injury or health incidents?
- What grade of medical personnel will be required?
📌 For high-risk events, a paramedic or multi-disciplinary medical team may be necessary – not just basic first aiders.
Use tools like The Purple Guide or the HSE Event Safety Guide to understand your obligations. For tailored advice, contact us about our Ambulance Transfers and Event Medical Cover.
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Gathering and using feedback
Your responsibilities don’t end once the event is over. Post-event feedback is a vital tool to help you:
- Evaluate what worked well
- Identify areas for improvement
- Build a stronger foundation for your next event
How to gather feedback:
- Send post-event surveys to attendees
- Hold debrief meetings with staff
- Review incident reports and response times
Feedback is key to evolving as a successful and trusted event organiser.
Final thoughts
Event organising involves a careful balance of creativity, logistics, legal compliance, and public safety. By covering these essential responsibilities, you position your event for success and protect all involved.
Need help planning the medical side of your event? Contact Team Medic today to ensure your medical cover is professional, compliant, and ready for anything.
