| Event planning is a
fast growing industry sector that provides competencies for multiple
disciplines, encompassing an array of cultural, sport, political,
music and business activities. Event Planners are in demand by
organizations that require management specialization to oversee
every facet of the event in a proactive and competent manner.
If you do not have prior experience
in the field, the best way to gain that experience is through
volunteering with local organizations or non-profits to assist in
planning and/or coordinating events. By becoming a volunteer, you
can build relationships and investigate opportunities of interest in
your area.
You can also get involved with
various clubs and organizations on your college or university
campus. Volunteer to participate in planning events such as
conferences, cultural shows and guest speaker presentations.
It will also be extremely
beneficial if you could talk to other planners who are working in
the area you wish to enter and learn as much as possible from them.
Getting into the event planning business requires a combination of
education, experience and excellent networking. This is one business
where the importance of networking cannot be overemphasized. In
fact, many professionals in this field consider networking to be the
most important aspect of building a career in event planning.
Typical Services Offered by
Event Planning Firms:
- Budget Negotiations
- Catering and Menu Planning
- Entertainment
- Event Sponsorship
- Marketing and Promotion
- Product Sampling and Sales
- Program Development and
Registration
- Security and Insurance
- Staging, Lighting and Sound/
Video Conferencing
- Theme and Activity Development
- Transportation/Hotel
- Venue Scouting and Planning
Typical position duties of
an entry-level Event Manager/Planner
- Coordinate set-up and logistics
for up to 350 events per year
- Communicate event details to
venue contacts
- Contact various venues to
propose/develop partnerships
- Negotiate event contracts
- Work with sales representatives
to promote each event, act as an on-site representative
Typical candidate
requirements
- Highly organized and strong
attention to detail
- BA or BS – marketing or event
planning concentration is usually a plus
- Excellent communication skills
- Ability to multi-task and work
in a fast-paced environment
- Strong computer knowledge of
Microsoft Office Suite, and select meeting planning software and
database programs
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