How to Become an Event Planner
Many companies are trimming the fat from their expenditures, which means that the face of event planning is changing. In spite of that, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov) expects faster than average growth for this industry. Here are some tips on how to become an event planner.
Education
Schooling for event planners can cover almost any business topic–general business, marketing, advertising, communications, public relations, and hospitality, just to name a few. Sometimes a two-year degree will be sufficient. There are now degrees available in meetings management, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Many companies also expect certification. You can earn the well-respected Certified Meeting Professional credential, or CMP, from the Convention Industry Council.
General Skills
One of the critical skills for an event planner is the ability to communicate with all kinds of people, some from very different cultures. You will need to be able to write effectively and perhaps even write ad copy and marketing pieces as well as letters and other business communication. Organizational and financial skills are crucial. Dropping the ball on one small thing may mean the failure of an event.
The Work Environment
This fast-paced world is perfect for the person who wants to be on-the-go most of the time. You will need a lot of energy, patience, and a love of problem-solving to be a successful event planner.
You should also plan for some long hours. Many event planners spend more time on the job in the days before an event is announced and before it actually happens, and it is possible to take on too many projects at once–it pays to stay organized and learn to delegate.
In general, event planning can be a lucrative and rewarding career for the right person. To see if it’s right for you, talk to several event planners and ask them lots of questions so you don’t miss a rewarding career.
