STEPS ON HOW TO BECOME A PROFESSIONAL EVENT PLANNER

An event planner has vast duties and responsibilities to take. It is not an easy career, but somehow you can practice it to nurture your skills. Below are some of the things you need to know about event planners.

Responsibilities of an Event Planner:

·       Event organizing, event designing, and production of time frames

·       Meeting up with clients and identifying their needs

·       Ensuring customer satisfaction

·       Planning everything from:

a.  Facilities

b.   Venue

c.   Decorations

d.   Entertainment

e.  Transportation

f.   Invitee list

g.   Promotional materials

h.   Catering

·       Conducting market research and gather information

·       Providing feedback and reports

·       Proposing ideas for field improvement

·       Ensuring compliance with health, legal, insurance, and safety obligations

·       Coordinating activities with the team

·       Marketing cooperation with sponsors

·       Attentively handling different circumstances before, during and after events

·   Make use of online event planning apps that will help you guide in becoming an event planner

Event planning requires an excellent perception of the future, discipline and good attitude towards every manner to obtain successful events. You have to be properly trained on your communication and interaction skills because you will be meeting up with people you even don’t know. They can be professionals, engineers, and business owners. Make them feel that they can trust them to ensure a good relationship with them at the end of the transaction. Life is better when you have done it right.

Not all pursue their college degree to the highest level they want to be because they know how difficult and stressful will it be. However, be inspired to reach your goals in life. If you love to become an event planner someday, here are some tips and requirements below.

TIPS/REQUIREMENTS TO BECOME AN EVENT PLANNER

1.  BACHELOR’S DEGREE

2.  EXPERIENCE

3.  SKILLS

4.  CERTIFICATIONS

1. GET A BACHELOR’S DEGREE

A Bachelor’s degree is not required but mostly, clients prefer to get an event planner who is a degree holder. Below are the bachelor’s degrees that can pursue as an event planner.

Degree options:

·       Business Management

·       Marketing

·       Public Relations

·       Tourism Management                  

·       Communications         

·       Hospitality Management

·       Computer skills for business        

·       Meeting Management          

·       Accounting

·       Event design                       

·       Event promotion

A few schools also offer programs of study specific to event planning. Most of all, complete your on-the-job training or internship completely. This will acquire you more on how do events are planned and exhibited. Internships give you a partial overview of what your career is up to. It is a hands-on experience that is very necessary to become a real event planner.

2. GAIN EXPERIENCE

An internship is one of the experiences that you can bring towards becoming an event planner. There are companies offering an on the job training that enables you to grow and have a better understanding of how to become the best event planner.

 Another experience you can obtain is by volunteering to any organization that exhibits event planning such as caterers, social events done by the government, florist and any other work. Try to put hard work and develop skills by volunteering events if you are not assigned to plan the event. Just familiarize yourself and understand thoughtfully what an event planner does and what skills are needed.

There are many relevant works to event planners that you can try too. Administrative assistants do answer telephones, arrange meetings and travel, and managing schedules. Seeding to real estate business needs event planning too. Real Estate management focuses on the day-to-day running schedule which includes, supervising employees, budget, maintenance, and events. A variety of positions related to event planning are also offered in some hotels, bureaus, and centers. The experience will mold you to become one disciplined event planner.

3. ACQUIRE SKILLS

Skills are molded by your experience from your internship or on the job training. Take into your mind that being an event planner is not easy. It is again a stressful job that needs experience to eventually adapt the matter. If you have skills partnered with a long term experience, being an event planner will just be a piece of cake. Let’s talk about the skills that an event planner should have based on the job descriptions.

Below are some skills that you need to possess in order to nurture yourself as an event planner:

·       Computer literate – Excel in using technology because it will help you do your job faster and easier.

·       Communication skills – Be verbally competitive to gain trust from your clients. Written skills are also needed.

·       Be passionate – If you have a work ethic and a good attitude, you’ll somehow achieve success the most.

·       Composure – Stay calm even under pressure.

·       Problem-solving skills – Practice your plans from A to X.

4. OBTAIN CERTIFICATIONS

Developing essential skills in this career are emphasized by getting certifications. There are different categories of event planning certifications. One is the Certified Meeting Professional which requires a minimum of 6 months experience and a passing examination. Another is the Certified Government Meeting Professional with a 3-day course and exam. Certified Special Events Professional is another certification that includes a 1-year experience and a 3-day course and exam. All these certifications should be passed to acquire it.