Careers in event planning combine the hospitality, business and legal sectors to create a highly unique profession. Event planners organize the details for a variety of events in a specific area, around the country or even around the world. This job can be exciting and rewarding to suitable individuals.
If you can bounce between projects, have an eye for detail and communicate well, event planning might be for you.
Event planners are creative in visualizing and orchestrating different functions for a diverse group of clients. Certain skills and areas of expertise are necessary for success in this profession. These qualities help event planners form strong relationships with clients and increase credibility in the field. By experiencing the variety jobs available for event professionals, workers can find their true interest and passion in the field.
Requirements for Event Planning Careers
Event planners who use personal traits, practices and expertise in the right way can thrive in this career. Clients and employers seek to employ workers with relevant experience in the field and/or education qualifications. For those entering the field at entry-level, a variety of internships are available to help build relevant career experience.
Education Requirements
Although a bachelor’s degree is not required for an event planner to practice this profession, postsecondary education is always preferred. A degree in hospitality management is most suitable for this career. Two- and four-year degrees in related fields are also beneficial when applying for event planning jobs. Employers and clients prefer workers with higher education levels, although a strong background and experience in the industry is important to many employers and clients. Additionally, classes in business, design, tourism and finance are helpful for applicants starting their career.
Educational internships are available to individuals who want to gain experience in the field. Certain internships are paid, while others are unpaid. Event planners can seek out internships that cover their areas of interest or focus on professional aspects that need improvement. Because event planning is a very diverse job, adding experience in a variety of situations is highly beneficial to a successful career.
Personality Qualities and Interests
Event planning is a demanding career that is suitable for individuals with certain qualities, personality traits and interests. Workers in this field must be highly adaptable, in order to handle a variety of situations that may arise over the course of a career. Utilizing beneficial qualities and personal practices is the best way to stay focused when experiencing work-related stress.
An event planner is constantly under pressure to meet deadlines and complete multiple projects at once. Creativity, flexibility and organization are necessary to avoid becoming overwhelmed in these situations. Time management practices can help workers organize their days efficiently. When managing multiple projects at once, multitasking skills can be utilized to complete each task fully and on time.
Event planning requires strong communication skills used to negotiate deals with clients and vendors. The ability to work with colleagues and clients at all levels is necessary to establish reliable connections. In difficult situations, planning professionals must maintain composure and remain personable in every interaction. Careers in event planning are suitable for those who enjoy planning, organizing and overseeing events. Creative individuals, especially those interested in design, may also find this career appealing.
Work Environment for Event Planning Careers
Event planning requires a constantly changing work environment. Workers in this field organize a variety of events, from those that are very small and intimate to large occasions that are full of guests. In some cases, event planners may have to organize multiple events at once. A great deal of walking and movement is required in this career field.
Event planners may be employed by larger companies, nonprofit organizations or can be self-employed. Some workers may end up specializing in planning certain types of events, such as weddings or business meetings. While these events are usually similar, each one brings new stipulations that must be addressed when planning an event.
This profession requires workers to face many different weather conditions and travel often, sometimes long distances. When traveling, various methods of transportation such as planes, trains and vehicles may be utilized. Workers must adapt to varying conditions that occur while traveling using different transportation methods.
Generally, an event-planning career takes up 40 hours or more of a workweek. However, hours may vary from project to project. Event planners usually work irregular hours, but are often able to create a schedule that best suits their needs. Working on evenings, weekends and holidays happens often in this job.
Daily Responsibilities in Event Planning
Attending meetings with clients is a primary duty of an event planner. New event planners must establish connections with clients in order to create a strong initial work basis for their career. During meetings, workers must listen carefully to the needs and requests of clients.
If a larger company employs the event planner, they may be assigned clients by the company. Alternatively, workers employed through non-profit organizations may have to work with the organization to find clients. Self-employed workers must find clients independently of any institution.
An important duty of event planners is making sure every aspect of an event is planned before the occasion occurs. Each organized event must be tailored according to the wishes of clients, location and type of occasion. Planners must determine each detail of an event to ensure the occasion runs smoothly from start to finish. Details that must be organized in advance include finding speakers, choosing a location, decorating and setting up audio and/or visual equipment. Food vendors, bartenders and/or live music should also be negotiated beforehand.
Event planners will usually attend the event they organized to make sure everything is executed seamlessly. To prevent or minimize damage occurrence, the planner must deal with any issues that arise during the occasion right away.
Income for Event Planning Careers
The average median pay of workers in this field is $48,000. However, the income of an event planner is highly dependent on the budget of each client. Working with influential and well-known corporations usually results in higher income levels.
When these companies request annual meetings, conventions or other large-scale events to be organized by an event planner, the payout is usually significant. Conversely, planning nonprofit events and other small occasions typically garners a lower income level.
Income in this career field is also affected by an individual’s level of education. Having a higher education level usually results in a higher yearly income. Event planners should consider obtaining a certification or higher degree level in order to increase their yearly income levels. Many online programs offer event planner certifications or education paths, depending on an individual’s needs.
Potential for Growth
Job growth in this career sector is expected to increase in the foreseeable future. Opportunities for workers in the event planning field will expand as the need for workers grows.
Entry-level event planners can slowly move up from overseeing small events to organizing larger, more lucrative occasions. As a result, the income of the worker and connections with certain clients will increase. Having reliable clients is a way for a planner to ensure consistent work is available in the future. Organizing a bigger event well can also lead to recognition from colleagues and reputable companies.
Exploring self-employment within the field can create potential for growth and career advancement over time. Self-employment also allows an event planner to make extra income and/or plan events they are interested in.
By Admin –
