Event planners and event managers may work closely together and are jointly responsible for ensuring a memorable experience. However, their roles are distinct.
Event planning happens before the event and includes event marketing, equipment rentals, brand strategy, and sourcing and staffing any services required to run the event. An event planner may be part of a creative team at a marketing agency specializing in experiential marketing.
Event managers come in at a later stage of the event production process and are responsible for the logistics and smooth running of the event. Responsibilities may range from supervising valet parking to ensuring any event technology is correctly installed on the day.