Meeting Planner Careers

The Web has helped create a movement toward simplifying the everyday tasks of event and meeting planning through the use of Web applications or “Apps” for short. Following are four Web Apps that can make your life easier.

Which Date Works?
This Web app is an all-in-one tool that allows you to handle contact lists, has a calendaring system that helps you see who is available and finalize dates for meetings or events that work for everyone. Which Date Works can be found at http://whichdateworks.com.

My Punch Bowl
This event planning application helps you organize an event from conception through invitation. It even handles creating the date, online invitations, supplies and sharing via different social networks such as Facebook and Twitter. My Punch Bowl can be found at http://www.mypunchbowl.com.

Set Dot
Set Dot is an events management Web app for creating and managing events and meetings. You can create the event and stylize it with a theme, send out invitations to the event and manage guest responses and messages. This app will even allow you to find maps and directions to your event. Set Dot can be found at http://www.setdot.com.

Anyvite
This application uses more than just the Web to help you plan events. Anyvite works with mobile, IM and SMS tools to help you invite associates to different events. It features a plethora of invitation designs, ease of use, location search and the ability to incorporate photos or video. This handy tool also features a way to export a guest list. Anyvite can be found at http://anyvite.com.

Architecturally astounding and implicitly beautiful, W Fort Lauderdale is the newest and hottest destination for relaxation or event planning in Fort Lauderdale. With over 12,000 square feet of ballroom and meeting space, there are very few events that couldn’t be handled at this hotel. W Fort Lauderdale boasts 517 guest rooms and suites and 5,500 square feet of additional outdoor meeting space.

Whether you’re hosting a board meeting or planning a world-class event, W Fort Lauderdale will accommodate your needs with a helpful staff of professionals. The hotel also features exclusive offers for meeting and event planners such as a complimentary room for each 25 rooms that are booked, 4% credit to master and a complimentary airline ticked for every 25 tickets booked.

W Fort Lauderdale is conveniently located only 7 miles from Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International airport, 32 miles from Miami International and only 46 miles from Palm Beach International airport. If you add in the convenience of W’s signature Whatever/Whenever® service, you’ll never have to worry about finessing the details.

W Fort Lauderdale truly goes above and beyond for corporate planning or events and provides an atmosphere that is both relaxing and attractive.

For more information or to make reservations, contact Paula Walker-Carlson at (954) 414-8202 or e-mail her at: paula.carlson@whotels.com.

Exclusive offers source: http://specialoffers.starwoodhotels.com/W_Fort_Lauderdale/mp.htm

Planning an event is a big job.  No matter what type of event it is, you will find that there is a lot of different things that you have to make sure get done. You need to be focused and ready to take on this type of challenge when it comes to planning an event.  If you are not able to handle it all yourself, you will want to think about hiring an event planner to make it a little bit easier. 

There are a few different key factors that are important when you are trying to find a successful event planner. You need to think about the person that you are hiring and what they can do for you.  You have to learn to pick and choose your event planner wisely so that you are not finding yourself in a bad situation later on.

1. You will want to make sure that you are getting a highly successful event planner to take care of your next event. You need to make sure that you are finding someone that is ready to take on a challenge and do the best job that she can for you.  You want them to be devoted and able to help you though anything that is thrown your way. 
2. You want a professional.  You want to have someone help you with your next event that has the extensive training that is necessary to make the most of the event. You need to have someone that you can count on that has the experience that you need to make this the best ever.  You can make the event highly successful and very professional when you have help that matches your needs.
3. Getting a professional event planner that pays attention to detail is very key. This is one of the most important key factors in making an event a great success. You will want to have the person helping you very interested in making you happy. You need them to be very efficient and willing to do what you need them to. 
4. You will want to interview your event planner to make sure they are the person that you feel comfortable with. You want to have someone help you with your special event that you can trust and get to know.  They will want to be make your event the best that it can be and give you all that you are looking for and maybe even a little bit more.  You will be surprised at the amount of help you can get from your wedding planner when you chose them well. Ask them important questions that you are going to need to know.  You want to make the most of this time and get to know them very well.
5. The person that you are hiring to take care of your event will have to know the financial part of the business.  They will have to be willing to make sure that they take care of all the business transaction s that have to be dealt with so that you can get the event rolling on the right budget. They will have to be aware of the process and that they have to stay within the budget to keep on track.
6. Get the references that you need to make a good decision about the event planner that you need. You want to make sure that you have someone that is going to have former clients that are happy with their work. You want to contact these people and find out what they like and disliked about the event planner. This will help you make a better decision as to who is the right person for the job.
7. You will also need to make sure that the event planner is able to get word of your special event out there. You want them to be able to get the advertising part of the business out there for everyone to know about. You want to get as many people to your event that you can.  This will mean a lot of hard work and effort to go into the great event that you have been planning and waiting for.
8. Price.  This is one of the most important things that you need to consider before you hire an event planner. You want to make sure that you are getting someone that you can afford to do the job. You want to get an event planner that is going to be in your budget and also be very good. You do not want to pay for someone that you do not think will get the job done.  However you also want to make sure that you are getting someone that you can trust and feel good about the price at the same time. 

Become an event planner that organizes corporate events, birthday parties or weddings by volunteering with other event planners and taking classes in marketing, accounting and sales. Network an event planning business by making a Web site and contacting local vendors with the help of this free video on job information from a career service specialist.

If you are considering a career in meeting and event planning, you will need to understand how the profession is divided up. This means your market segment, or broad-spectrum specialty. For instance, if you want to plan events for businesses and other organizations, then your market segment will be corporate.

Why should you be concerned with this? Because it will determine how you market yourself, how you market your company if you go it alone, and how you network. This means that if you work solely for non-profits your networking sphere will likely encompass a good deal of the political world, grant writers, public relations personnel, event facilities, caterers, and hotels and motels. If you go for-profit, your sphere needs to include the properties and caterers, but you may have less interaction with politics and grants.

Make sure when you choose your event planning specialty that you understand the market segment it falls into. Talk to your business professors to see how they can help, and join a professional organization as well. Ask a lot of questions; people who are truly inclined to teach and to help others will be patient with your answers, but also make sure you do a good amount of your own research.

The end result will be a better understanding of your job and target areas. This could translate into a more secure position at a company or a more stable customer base, and less time spent creating it.

If you would enjoy a meeting planner career but are also good at getting people together for everyone’s benefit, you may be just the kind of person that could thrive in an economic downturn.  Everyone knows that Business-to-Business contacts are important, so why not focus on helping businesses get through the end of the recession intact? Consider a career helping business groups survive.

Let’s face it–a meeting planner has to be comfortable around people. She has to be ready to talk to a lot of strangers at any time, keep things running, and create maximum benefit for all. So if you are going to start your own event business, why not create a niche that will benefit you as well? Here are some ideas on creating a place for yourself in the business world.

B-2-B Contacts. Many business are wondering about new ways to build business in a bad economy–help them by designing their networking events.

Non-Profits. You could spend a lifetime specializing in events for nonprofits. Remember, “nonprofit” does not mean “no money.” Many of these organizations would benefit greatly from the services of an event planner.

Sales Rep. Yes, you could take your education in event planning and get a lucrative position as a sales rep. Companies that sell beverages, catering services, travel and accommodations, and other services love people who understand the industry–they already know what they’re doing!

As you can see, there are lots of opportunities for you to help businesses with the right education and personality traits.

When it comes to meeting and event planning, there are some things that you will need to think about and carefully plan. For example, you must make a lot of important decisions that will determine the outcome of your event. You should make sure that you pay attention to all your event details and make sure that you get exactly what you expected. 

First, you need to understand the importance of a contract. Contracts are used in most if not all business transactions. If you hire a band, cater, venue, and other important critical factors, you need to get everything in writing. If you don't get everything in writing you will find out that you might be a big loser in the end. You need to get a contract when you agree to deal with any suppliers or venues. You need to protect yourself in case they don't live up to your expectations. The only thing is that everything needs to be written in the contract.  With the contracts, you should have a good, solid back up plan.  Read more…

Careers are made or broken on the backs of return customers. The recession has some impact on just when clients return, but your skills as a meeting planner will determine if they remember you name as the economy returns to normal.

Building customer loyalty is tough. You can’t depend on charm and one good experience. The client needs to feel valued as an individual. It’s important to keep good records and create a client profile. Did you book a cruise for the client’s wedding anniversary? Keep that date in mind. If he booked a family vacation, make a note of his children’s names and ask about them when he calls the second time.

If something went awry with the business meeting, note that in the files. Jot down solutions that will prevent the problem in the future. Was the trip or conference a good experience for your client? Make notes during your follow up call. You are making a follow up call after the conference, aren’t you?

Responding to feedback and personalizing your services makes planning future event easier and lets your clients know that you appreciate their business. A difficult client will often respond positively when they know you doing your best on their behalf. Return customers are money in the bank.

Some clients have special needs or desires. That’s all part of event planning and you learn to go with the flow.

Most hotels can adapt to any physical or dietary need with enough advance notice. A small number of clients will insist on accommodations that totally fit in with their lifestyle. What if your client is vegetarian and prefers a vacation with like-minded people?

This can be an interesting challenge. Many omnivorous restaurants offer vegetarian alternatives to their meals but finding a resort that actually caters to vegetarians gets a little tricky. Veggie Snow is a good resource for finding resorts that specialize in ski trips especially for vegetarians and vegans. You can book a trip in Austria, Bulgaria, France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, or the United States.

Wait, France? The French are known for many things but not their vegetarian cuisine. La Source Ski and Adventure Ltd. promoted and sponsored the first Veggie Snow tour. Just because it is vegetarian does not mean the chef has to forsake his beloved cream, cheese, or butter.

Special needs are not insurmountable problems for the experienced meeting planner. It may take a bit more web surfing to accommodate these clients but it’s well worth the effort.

It is not difficult to start a career in event planning. In short, an event planner is responsible for the logistical details of planning parties, luncheons, and other organized events for both individuals and businesses. A professional image, both personally and as a company, is far more important than a college degree or formal training in event planning. There are a number of steps to help you get started with your new career as an event planner right away. The good news is it does not take a lot of startup cash to open your new business.

1) Decide on a business name and get a domain name. Image is everything in the world of event planning. Pick a catchy name and buy a domain for a web site. Your design can be simple and done using a Web template, or you could pay a few hundred dollars for the services of a web designer to create a really snazzy page. Read more…