How to Become Event Planner

Event planners organize and coordinate all types of events. Some planners choose to work in the corporate world. They arrange meetings, conventions and business luncheons. Other planners opt to coordinate personal events such as weddings, birthday parties and family reunions. Because event planning requires careful preparation, planners must be organized, detail-oriented and assertive. Although no formal training is necessary for this career, many event planners have bachelor's degrees in business, marketing or a related field.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Choose what type of planner you want to become. Research different types of event planners (wedding planner, sports event planner, etc.) to decide your event planning specialty. Try to job-shadow different event planners to get a sense of what their job entails.

2. Obtain a formal education. Even though a college education is not required to become an event planner, a bachelor's degree in business or hospitality can set you apart from other planners.

3. Gain practical experience. Find an internship at an event planning business to build your resume and to immerse yourself in this field. Also, offer to plan small events for your friends and family, such as a baby shower or wedding rehearsal dinner. Take pictures of your work to use in your portfolio.

4. Polish your resume and portfolio. Once you have gained experience in event planning, you are ready to start job hunting. Create the best resume and portfolio you can by highlighting your strengths and experience. Have references, preferably a client of yours or a supervisor at your internship, ready.

5. Find a job as an event planner. Look for job openings. Contact organizations directly to ask if they are hiring event planners. Cast a wide net; many different types of businesses, such as hotels, museums, universities and casinos, hire event planners.

6. Consider starting an event planning business. After you have built your planning experience, you may want to take your career to the next level and launch an event planning business. Before you strike out on your own, make sure you understand the legal and financial aspects of starting a business. You should also develop a marketing plan.

7. Network at every opportunity. To promote your business, purchase advertising space for your company in local newspapers and magazines. Create a company website and join various organizations to meet potential clients. Keep business cards on hand to give to people you meet.

Tips & Warnings

• Be prepared to work long hours. Since many events take place in the evening or on weekends, event planning is rarely a 9 to 5 job.

References

• Information on Event Planners from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
• Event Planning Career Profile
• 10 Steps to a Job as an Event Planner

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