Employers across the UK events industry are facing intensifying competition for talent, with candidates increasingly weighing up multiple opportunities and prioritising culture, flexibility and long-term career prospects over salary alone.
That is the key finding of the latest Live Recruitment Salary Survey, which suggests the balance of power in hiring has shifted firmly towards experienced professionals as vacancy levels remain strong.
According to Live Recruitment, employers can no longer rely on salary increases alone to secure talent. Instead, organisations must actively promote their culture, benefits and long-term opportunities during the hiring process.
“The interview process is firmly a two-way conversation,” the report states. “Businesses must not only assess skills and experience, but actively sell the role, the culture and the long-term opportunity if they want to secure the best talent.”
Salary growth stabilises
The survey indicates that the sharp salary increases seen in recent years have largely stabilised across the events sector, creating what the report describes as a “more consistent and predictable market”.
However, this has not reduced candidate expectations. Instead, jobseekers are placing greater emphasis on the overall employment package when considering new roles.
Benefits such as private healthcare, enhanced holiday entitlement, parental leave and wellbeing support are increasingly viewed as standard, rather than standout perks. At senior levels, candidates are also seeking transparency around career progression, leadership opportunities and long-term incentives such as share options.
Flexibility now essential
Hybrid working is now firmly embedded across much of the events industry, the report finds, but candidates are looking beyond location flexibility.
Professionals are increasingly focused on work-life balance, wellbeing and autonomy - particularly in an industry historically associated with long hours and high-pressure environments.
Employers that clearly communicate their approach to flexible working and employee support are more likely to attract and retain talent, the survey suggests.
Culture and values drive decisions
The research also highlights the growing importance of organisational culture in hiring decisions.
Candidates are increasingly unwilling to compromise on alignment with a company’s values, leadership style and internal culture - even when salary increases are offered.
“A strong culture is no longer a ‘nice to have’; it is a core component of an attractive employer brand,” the report states.
DEI scrutiny increasing
Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) continues to play a significant role in candidate decision-making, but expectations have evolved.
Rather than relying on statements or inclusive wording in job descriptions, candidates are now assessing how deeply DEI is embedded within organisations - including leadership representation, hiring practices and progression opportunities.
Businesses that treat DEI as a core part of their strategy, rather than a surface-level initiative, are better positioned to attract and retain diverse talent, the survey concludes.
Live Recruitment said the findings reflect the realities of a competitive hiring landscape across the events sector and aim to provide benchmarking and insight for employers reviewing their recruitment strategies.
The full survey covers salary data and hiring trends across a wide range of roles in the events industry, including event agencies, exhibition organisers, associations, venues and exhibition design and build companies.
