You’ve decided to become an event planner. Congratulations!
You’re about to take on a career that’s as creative and exciting as it is challenging and rewarding. You’ll be working with clients from all walks of life, and you’ll have the opportunity to help them turn their vision of what their wedding or corporate event should look like into reality. It’s not for everyone, but if you love the idea of planning events for a living and have what it takes, read on to learn more about how to become an event planner.
The first step is getting your foot in the door. Event planning positions are available at some of the best hotels in town, so if you’re interested in starting out there, check out job listings online and apply directly through their website. Once you’ve landed an interview with one of these companies, make sure that you know exactly why you want this job before going in for your interview—it’s key for them to see that you’re passionate about event planning before they can hire someone who has no experience whatsoever with this kind of work!
Once you’ve had some experience under your belt (and maybe even worked up enough savings), consider starting your own company! There are many options available when it comes.
How To Become An Event Planner
5 Steps to Becoming an Event Planner
Step 1
Complete a bachelor’s degree
Generally, professionals are required to earn a bachelor’s degree in meeting and event management. Some of the courses that students may complete in these programs include human resource management, event sales and sponsorships, financial accounting, agreement negotiating, and relationship management. People can also enter the field by earning a degree in business management, marketing, public relations, communications, or hospitality management.
Step 2
Get hands-on experience
In order to put their classroom studies into practice, students should get hands-on experience planning events on their own or by participating in an internship at an event planning company. Aspiring planners can gain experience by volunteering for activities at their school, such as helping the student union plan concerts, comedy shows, festivals, and sporting events. Similarly, people can obtain hands-on experience by helping to organize company meetings at their job, or by volunteering for a nonprofit organization that coordinates events.
Step 3
Learn industry technology
Event planners are required to master programs that are used in the industry, including project management, customer relationship management, and sales and marketing software. Some specific programs these professionals may use include Marketo Marketing Automation, Microsoft Project, Blackbaud The Raiser’s Edge, Convention Industry Council CIC APEX Toolbox, and Active Network EventRegister.
Step 4
Choose a specialization
While some event planners are generalists, others choose to specialize in a certain type of event—especially if they want to start their own business. Some of the niches people can focus on include weddings, birthdays, business meetings, conferences, fundraisers, mall events, and corporate retreats.
Step 5
Create a portfolio
Whether event planners are looking for a job or clients, a portfolio is a way for them to show off their skills and accomplishments. Portfolios can include photos of the events they organized, press clippings, testimonials, and event brochures or invitations. In addition, any challenges that needed to be overcome related to tight deadlines or budgets, or creative constraints should be explained to help highlight the ability to work under pressure.