Event planning is an exciting and in-demand job that interests people from all walks of life. An event planner holds a big responsibility being the master of the show exploring ways to realize a creative vision. From concept to execution, the event planner is there all the way to make an event organized, smooth and enjoyable.
In this enterprise, expect to work in flexible hours, set your own deadlines, experience a lot of pressure to get things done. On the other hand, if you have made your vision a reality, expect lots of recognition for your hard work and more gigs later on. If you want a results-driven, exciting job, then event planning is the one for you.
Currently, there are 116,700 event planners in the U.S. In the next ten years, there is an expected rise for event planners. Organizations and associations are getting busier. Thus they need third-party individuals to arrange well-planned, seamless meetings, conventions, and events. Meanwhile, there will always be individuals needing planners’ skills to arrange parties, weddings, and other gatherings to be successful. That said, there will always be a gig for an event planner.
If you want to become an event planner, consider the following steps that may lead you to your dream career.
Earn a bachelor’s degree
Event planners must have the versatility to handle as many types of events as possible. Thus, they need to have at least completed a bachelor’s degree to make them competent to deal with different people and time-pressured demands. However, a bachelor’s degree in meeting and event management is more preferred.
Degree programs that aim to hone interpersonal, financial, and human resource skills to the next level can also give ample background knowledge in event planning. Some of these degree programs may include human resource management, event sales and sponsorships, financial accounting, and agreement negotiating.
Get hands-on experience and internship.
Participating in an internship program at an event planning company is one of the most convenient ways to get hands-on experience being an event planner. The internship will also get one’s foot in the door to meet people who may want to network later on in future gigs related to event planning.
Organizing your own event in school or your community is also a good learning ground. Even as a student, you will learn a lot from these small events. You will learn to deal and negotiate with people, their needs and set up the needed logistics: tables, chairs, signage, and sound system rental services, among others.
Be efficient on the technology in event planning.
Achieving the needed results and outcome would be much easier with the right technology and software. To make operations smooth, every event planner should be efficient in using software for project management, customer relationship management, and sales and marketing software.
There are also specific programs that many event planners are currently using, such as the Marketo Marketing Automation, Microsoft Project, and The Raiser’s Edge. When working at an event, portable technology will also come in handy if you are communicating with various suppliers at the event itself. These include everything from working a licensed radio in the form of a walkie talkie, iPads and speaker systems. You’ll find that when you’re busy organising things behind-the-scenes at the event, you’ll need communication instantly with those acting as front of house. Why not take a look at different two way devices to make this easier for you?
Many event planners who work with congregations or faith-based groups find value in systems that unify scheduling, volunteer coordination, and donation tracking. Platforms like Church Management Software can integrate event calendars, attendee check-in and giving records so teams spend less time reconciling spreadsheets and more time on the guest experience. Bringing a church-focused system into your tech stack can streamline volunteer assignments and post-event communications across recurring services and special events. It’s worth evaluating alongside your project-management and CRM tools when planning community-centered events.
Work on specialization and develop skills around it.
Events can be anything. However, some event professionals don’t want to become mere generalists but want to focus on a special event. You may choose to focus mostly on weddings, birthdays, business meetings, conferences, and fundraising events, among others. Focusing on an event will let you foresee the usual scenario to develop a template and a set of habits that you will apply in your future gigs. Having a focus will also let you choose specific Event Management Software that you will need every time. Further, you will build a reputation on arranging that event and thus may easily build a network that will lead you to more projects later on.
Come up with a portfolio.
Both freelancers and job seekers need a clear, well-organized, and substantial portfolio that will reflect what they can offer in the event planning industry. The portfolio summarizes all the hard work, certificates, educational attainment, and special training that you have meant to achieve to build your name. It could also contain press clippings showing events you have previously organized, event brochures, and testimonials from previous clients.
Event planning is a competitive industry, and thus you should get your best foot forward and explain your skills well. You may highlight certain situations and challenges in your portfolio on how you overcome tight deadlines, a strict budget, and tight deadlines.
As an event planner, you have to be dynamic, proactive, and a problem-solver to effectively meet deadlines and manage your staff and community goals. To remain relevant, you have to educate yourself with the latest technology that clients require you to use. Meanwhile, because event planning is results and deadline-driven, you must learn to assess your interpersonal skills.
Sometimes, our actions are misunderstood, and clients may take your sociable nature as intrusive or too loud. The execution of your vision may take a toll on your relationships, too. That said, there is a need to hear other people’s feedback on how you can manage a project. Despite the deadlines, try to enjoy the moment; be creative and be friendly to everybody.
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