17 Event Sales Manager Interview Questions and Answers

Event sales managers are responsible for the planning and execution of events, from weddings and corporate functions to social galas and charity balls. They work with clients to understand their needs and budget, identify a venue, and hire and manage the event staff.

If you’re looking for a job in event sales, you’ll likely need to go through a job interview. To help you prepare, we’ve put together a list of common event sales manager interview questions and answers.

Are you familiar with our company’s events?

Event sales managers need to be familiar with the events they’re selling. This question is a good way for interviewers to see if you have done your research on their company and its offerings. If you are interviewing at an event planning company, it’s likely that you will be responsible for selling tickets to many of their events. In this case, make sure you know which events the company offers and when they take place.

Example: “I am familiar with your company’s events. I attended one of your weddings last year and was impressed by the quality of service and attention to detail. I also looked through your website and saw that you offer several different types of events, including weddings, corporate retreats and family reunions.”

What are some of the most important skills for an event sales manager to have?

Event sales managers need to have a variety of skills. Employers ask this question to make sure you know what those skills are and how they can benefit their company. In your answer, list the top three or four skills that you feel are most important for event sales managers. Explain why each skill is important so the employer knows you understand its value.

Example: “Event sales managers need strong communication skills, problem-solving skills and leadership skills. I believe these are the most important skills because they help me manage my team effectively. For example, when I’m communicating with clients, I use active listening skills to ensure I understand them completely. This helps me find solutions to problems more quickly. When I lead my team, I use my leadership skills to motivate my team members and give them constructive feedback. These skills also help me solve problems by encouraging my team to come up with creative solutions.”

How do you handle difficult clients or customers?

Event sales managers often work with clients who have specific needs or requirements. Employers ask this question to make sure you can handle challenging customers and still maintain a positive attitude. In your answer, share an example of how you handled a difficult client in the past. Explain what steps you took to resolve the situation.

Example: “In my previous role as event sales manager, I had a client that was very demanding. They would call me multiple times per day asking for updates on their order. At first, I found it hard to balance my time between them and other clients. However, I learned to set boundaries with the client. I told them that I would only respond to emails within 24 hours unless they needed something more urgent. This helped me focus on other clients while also making sure the demanding one got the attention they needed.”

What is your experience with event planning?

Event sales managers often have experience with event planning, so employers ask this question to learn more about your background. They want to know if you’ve worked in an event planning role before and what kind of events you’ve planned. Use your answer to explain the type of events you’ve planned and how much experience you have working in that field.

Example: “I’ve been planning events for over five years now. I started out as a freelance event planner, where I helped plan weddings, birthdays and other celebrations. Eventually, I got my first full-time job as an event planner at a local venue. There, I learned how to work with clients to create unique experiences for their guests.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to deal with a difficult vendor.

Event sales managers often work with vendors, so employers ask this question to make sure you have experience working with people who are not always easy to get along with. Use your answer to show that you can be diplomatic and professional when dealing with a vendor who is being difficult.

Example: “I once worked with a vendor who was very demanding. They would constantly call me asking for more money because they were over budget on their event planning. I had to explain to them that we could only pay them what we agreed upon in the contract. After several conversations like this, they finally understood that there was nothing else we could do. Eventually, they started to respect our company more.”

If hired, what would be your primary focus as an event sales manager?

Event sales managers are responsible for overseeing the entire process of selling tickets to events. Employers ask this question to make sure you understand what your responsibilities would be if hired. In your answer, explain that you will focus on ensuring all aspects of ticketing go smoothly. You can also mention a specific part of event planning that interests you most.

Example: “My primary focus as an event sales manager would be making sure our team is selling tickets effectively and efficiently. I have experience working with large groups of people, so I know how important it is to delegate tasks appropriately. I am excited about getting to know my new coworkers and helping them develop their skills. Another aspect of event planning I’m looking forward to is developing marketing strategies.”

What would you do if you noticed that an event was starting to lose money?

Event sales managers are responsible for ensuring that their events make money. Employers ask this question to see how you would handle a situation like this one. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to try and save the event. Show that you have experience with these types of situations.

Example: “If I noticed an event was starting to lose money, I would first meet with the client to discuss ways we could fix it. If they were open to suggestions, I would offer some ideas on how to increase ticket sales or attract more sponsors. If they weren’t open to suggestions, I would still do everything in my power to help them turn things around. For example, if there was time before the event started, I would look into hiring additional staff to help out.”

How well do you handle stress?

Event sales managers often have to handle a lot of stress. They need to be able to manage their time well and meet deadlines while also ensuring that they are meeting the needs of clients. Employers ask this question to make sure you can handle stressful situations. In your answer, explain how you plan ahead to avoid being stressed out. Share some strategies you use to stay organized and on top of your work.

Example: “I am very good at managing my time and staying organized. I always make sure to create a schedule for myself so I know what tasks I need to accomplish each day. This helps me feel less stressed because I know exactly what I need to do. I also try to delegate as much work as possible to other team members. This allows me to focus on the most important aspects of my job.”

Do you have any questions for us about the role or company?

This is your opportunity to show the interviewer that you’ve done your research and are genuinely interested in the position. It’s also a chance for you to ask any questions you might have about the company or role itself.

Example: “I’m very excited about this role, and I think my skills and experience would be a great fit here. I noticed that there are several opportunities for advancement within the company, which is something I am looking for. I was wondering if you could tell me more about what it takes to advance into other roles at the company?”

When selling tickets, what is your strategy for targeting specific demographics?

Event sales managers need to be able to sell tickets, and selling tickets often means targeting specific demographics. Employers ask this question to see if you have experience with this process. In your answer, explain how you would approach the task of selling tickets to different groups of people. Explain what steps you would take to research these demographics and how you would use that information to make sure you’re reaching the right people.

Example: “I think it’s important to know who you are selling to before you start selling. I would first do some research on the event itself. Who is performing? What kind of music do they play? Are there any other events going on at the same time as ours? Then, I would look into our target demographic. I would find out where they hang out online and in person. I would also talk to my team about their experiences with those groups.”

We want to increase our social media presence. How would you go about doing that with regard to our events?

Social media is an important aspect of event sales. Employers want to know that you can use social media to promote their events and increase attendance. In your answer, explain how you would create a strategy for using social media to market the company’s events.

Example: “I think it’s important to have a presence on all major social media platforms. I would start by creating accounts on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Then, I would develop a content calendar so we could post regularly about upcoming events. I would also encourage our team members to share our posts with their followers.”

Describe your process for organizing and delegating tasks when managing an event.

Event sales managers need to be organized and able to delegate tasks effectively. This question helps the interviewer assess your organizational skills and ability to manage a team of event planners. In your answer, describe how you plan out an event schedule and assign responsibilities to your team members.

Example: “I start by creating a timeline for the entire event process. I then break down each step into smaller tasks that my team can complete within a certain time frame. For example, if we have three months until an event, I’ll create weekly goals for my team to meet. I also like to check in with my team regularly to make sure they’re on track with their assignments.”

What makes you stand out from other candidates for this role?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their company. Before your interview, make a list of all the skills and experiences that qualify you for this role. Focus on what makes you unique from other candidates and highlight any transferable skills or experience you have.

Example: “I am passionate about event planning and sales, which is why I decided to pursue an event management degree. Throughout my education, I learned valuable marketing and communication skills that helped me excel in my internship at a local venue. My internship also taught me how to work with clients and vendors to create successful events. These skills are exactly what you’re looking for in an event sales manager.”

Which event planning software do you have experience using?

Event sales managers need to be familiar with the latest event planning software. This question helps employers see if you have experience using their preferred software and how quickly you can learn new programs. In your answer, explain which software you’re most comfortable using and why it’s important for an event sales manager to use this type of software.

Example: “I’ve used Eventbrite, Evite and WeddingWire extensively in my previous role as an event sales manager. I find that these platforms are great for managing client accounts, creating marketing campaigns and tracking sales. However, I also think it’s important to know when a different platform is better suited for a specific task. For example, I prefer WeddingWire over Eventbrite because it has more features for wedding planners.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of customer service for event sales managers?

Event sales managers are responsible for ensuring their clients have a positive experience. Interviewers ask this question to see if you understand the importance of customer service in your role. Use examples from your previous experiences to explain what you think is most important about customer service and how it can benefit event sales managers.

Example: “I believe that communication is the most important aspect of customer service. I always make sure to communicate with my clients throughout the entire process, whether they’re inquiring about our services or making payments. This helps me ensure that everyone has all the information they need and feel comfortable asking questions. It also allows me to address any concerns before they become problems.”

How often do you think event sales managers should update their sales forecasts?

Event sales managers need to be able to make accurate predictions about how much revenue they can generate for their company. Interviewers want to know that you have the ability to do this and understand when it’s necessary to update your forecasts. In your answer, explain what factors influence your forecasting process and why you think it’s important to keep up with current information.

Example: “I believe event sales managers should update their forecasts at least once a month. This allows us to take into account any changes in our clientele or competition that could affect our projections. I also find it helpful to check my forecasts weekly so I can stay on top of new leads and opportunities as they arise.”

There is a conflict between two performers that could potentially impact ticket sales. How would you handle it?

An interviewer may ask you a question like this to assess your conflict resolution skills. This is an important skill for event sales managers because they often have to work with multiple performers and vendors, each of whom has their own unique needs. In your answer, try to show that you can be empathetic while also being firm in your decision-making process.

Example: “I would first make sure I understood the situation from both sides. Then, I would speak with both parties separately to get more information about what happened and why they feel the way they do. After gathering all the facts, I would decide which performer’s needs are most important and how we could meet those needs without sacrificing too much revenue.”