How to Get an Event Planner

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February 17, 2022

5 Steps to Becoming an Event Planner

Pace 1

Complete a bachelor's degree

Generally, professionals are required to earn a bachelor's degree in coming together and event management. Some of the courses that students may complete in these programs include human resource management, result sales and sponsorships, fiscal accounting, agreement negotiating, and relationship management. People can also enter the field by earning a degree in business management, marketing, public relations, communications, or hospitality management.

Step ii

Become hands-on experience

In guild to put their classroom studies into practise, students should get hands-on experience planning events on their own or by participating in an internship at an event planning visitor. Aspiring planners tin can gain experience by volunteering for activities at their schoolhouse, such equally helping the student union plan concerts, comedy shows, festivals, and sporting events. Similarly, people can obtain hands-on experience by helping to organize company meetings at their job, or by volunteering for a nonprofit organization that coordinates events.

Step 3

Acquire manufacture technology

Event planners are required to master programs that are used in the industry, including project management, client relationship management, and sales and marketing software. Some specific programs these professionals may use include Marketo Marketing Automation, Microsoft Projection, Blackbaud The Raiser'south Edge, Convention Industry Quango CIC Apex Toolbox, and Active Network EventRegister.

Pace 4

Choose a specialization

While some issue planners are generalists, others cull to specialize in a sure blazon of issue—especially if they want to outset their ain business. Some of the niches people tin focus on include weddings, birthdays, business concern meetings, conferences, fundraisers, mall events, and corporate retreats.

Step 5

Create a portfolio

Whether event planners are looking for a job or clients, a portfolio is a style for them to prove off their skills and accomplishments. Portfolios tin include photos of the events they organized, press clippings, testimonials, and upshot brochures or invitations. In addition, whatsoever challenges that needed to exist overcome related to tight deadlines or budgets, or creative constraints should be explained to assist highlight the ability to work under force per unit area.

FAQ on Earning Your Event Planner Degree

Do I have to earn a certification to get an result planning job?

Although a certification is not required to get a chore, earning one tin can assist professionals impress potential employers and clients. The post-obit are some of the credentials those in the event planning manufacture can earn.

  • The Certified Meeting Professional person (CMP), which is available through the Events Industry Quango, is offered to those who have at to the lowest degree three years of professional experience. In social club to earn this credential, applicants must pass an examination to demonstrate their knowledge of facility operations, strategic planning, logistics, and risk management.
  • The Certified Meeting Planner offered by the Events Industry Council is for professionals who take been employed full time in the industry for at least three years. People who want this credential are required to laissez passer an examination.
  • The Certified Government Meeting Professional from the Guild of Government Meeting Professionals is for those who work with the local, land, or federal government. To earn this certification, people must complete a course and an test.
Are standing pedagogy classes required?

People who earn a certification are required to have standing education courses in lodge to maintain their credentials.

Should I nourish networking events?

Event planners need to connect with potential clients or employers, also as other industry professionals such equally florists, photographers, entertainers, and caterers. Attending networking events tin help them to build their network.

4. How do effect planners marketplace themselves?

Upshot planners tin can marketplace their services in a variety of ways, including maintaining a mailing listing of prospective and current clients, being active on social media, and building a website and blog.

Practice event planners need a license?

Event planners who desire to work for themselves will need to obtain a business license from their state. In addition, concern owners may also take to become insurance, depending on the requirements of their land.

Consequence Planner Bacon & Task Growth

Students who enroll in any degree program desire to know they are going to get a good return on their tuition investment. In order to shed calorie-free on how much issue planners make, this section provides data on salary potential for professionals at different levels and the job opportunities that these workers will enjoy in the coming years.

According to the U.South. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of May 2017, event planners earned a median salary of $48,290 per year, with amounts ranging from $26,390 to $82,980 annually. Similarly, Glassdoor reports the following breakup of how much these professionals can earn over the years of their career.

Years of Experience Average Annual Salary
0 to one $40,581
1 to 3 $43,792
4 to 6 $52,719
7 to 9 $54,712
10 to 14 $57,771
fifteen+ $63,954

The U.Due south. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the employment for event planners volition increment by 11 pct between 2016 and 2026. Although the projected growth for these professionals is expected to be faster than the average of all other professions, the agency notes that economic activeness tin influence the meetings and events industry. As the economic system waxes and wanes, organizations who employ the services of event planners adjust their budgets for meetings and other events accordingly.

Alabama Mean wage almanac: $43,790

Currently Employed: 400

Change in Employment (2016-2026): 7%

Alaska Hateful wage annual: $60,020

Currently Employed: 80

Modify in Employment (2016-2026): 6%

Arizona Mean wage annual: $44,890

Currently Employed: 1,770

Modify in Employment (2016-2026): North/A

Arkansas Mean wage annual: $43,830

Currently Employed: 570

Change in Employment (2016-2026): 11%

California Mean wage annual: $56,520

Currently Employed: 13,910

Alter in Employment (2016-2026): fourteen%

Colorado Mean wage almanac: $47,570

Currently Employed: 3,350

Modify in Employment (2016-2026): 24%

Connecticut Mean wage annual: $59,650

Currently Employed: 670

Change in Employment (2016-2026): seven%

Delaware Mean wage annual: $l,530

Currently Employed: 220

Change in Employment (2016-2026): x%

Florida Hateful wage annual: $47,200

Currently Employed: vi,580

Alter in Employment (2016-2026): 22%

Georgia Mean wage annual: $50,870

Currently Employed: 2,690

Change in Employment (2016-2026): xiv%

Hawaii Mean wage annual: $55,580

Currently Employed: 750

Change in Employment (2016-2026): 11%

Idaho Mean wage annual: $38,250

Currently Employed: 360

Change in Employment (2016-2026): 17%

Illinois Hateful wage annual: $52,370

Currently Employed: 4,160

Change in Employment (2016-2026): 7%

Indiana Mean wage annual: $47,240

Currently Employed: i,180

Change in Employment (2016-2026): 10%

Iowa Mean wage almanac: $43,790

Currently Employed: 830

Change in Employment (2016-2026): xiii%

Kansas Mean wage annual: $45,980

Currently Employed: 740

Change in Employment (2016-2026): seven%

Kentucky Mean wage annual: $40,440

Currently Employed: 670

Change in Employment (2016-2026): xi%

Louisiana Mean wage annual: $44,060

Currently Employed: 390

Alter in Employment (2016-2026): xiii%

Maine Hateful wage almanac: $49,710

Currently Employed: 240

Change in Employment (2016-2026): 0%

Maryland Mean wage annual: $56,240

Currently Employed: 2,830

Change in Employment (2016-2026): 8%

Massachusetts Hateful wage annual: $58,070

Currently Employed: two,920

Change in Employment (2016-2026): 9%

Michigan Mean wage annual: $45,640

Currently Employed: 2,510

Change in Employment (2016-2026): 10%

Minnesota Mean wage almanac: $54,500

Currently Employed: 2,070

Modify in Employment (2016-2026): ten%

Mississippi Mean wage annual: $39,970

Currently Employed: 300

Change in Employment (2016-2026): ten%

Missouri Mean wage annual: $48,510

Currently Employed: 2,110

Change in Employment (2016-2026): 14%

Montana Mean wage annual: $37,490

Currently Employed: 340

Change in Employment (2016-2026): 13%

Nebraska Mean wage annual: $45,410

Currently Employed: 440

Change in Employment (2016-2026): eleven%

Nevada Mean wage almanac: $49,540

Currently Employed: 1,110

Change in Employment (2016-2026): 15%

New Hampshire Hateful wage annual: $51,350

Currently Employed: 420

Change in Employment (2016-2026): 7%

New Jersey Hateful wage annual: $63,000

Currently Employed: three,050

Change in Employment (2016-2026): 15%

New United mexican states Hateful wage almanac: $40,640

Currently Employed: 390

Change in Employment (2016-2026): 11%

New York Mean wage annual: $64,580

Currently Employed: ten,010

Modify in Employment (2016-2026): 21%

Due north Carolina Mean wage annual: $45,910

Currently Employed: 2,790

Change in Employment (2016-2026): fifteen%

North Dakota Hateful wage annual: $48,280

Currently Employed: 160

Modify in Employment (2016-2026): 19%

Ohio Hateful wage annual: $47,580

Currently Employed: ii,330

Change in Employment (2016-2026): 6%

Oklahoma Mean wage annual: $40,150

Currently Employed: 930

Change in Employment (2016-2026): 12%

Oregon Hateful wage annual: $49,870

Currently Employed: 1,350

Modify in Employment (2016-2026): 15%

Pennsylvania Mean wage almanac: $fifty,560

Currently Employed: 3,210

Change in Employment (2016-2026): 8%

Rhode Island Mean wage annual: $52,180

Currently Employed: 330

Modify in Employment (2016-2026): vii%

South Carolina Mean wage almanac: $37,590

Currently Employed: 1,280

Change in Employment (2016-2026): fifteen%

South Dakota Mean wage annual: $35,000

Currently Employed: 260

Change in Employment (2016-2026): viii%

Tennessee Mean wage annual: $46,970

Currently Employed: 1,850

Alter in Employment (2016-2026): 16%

Texas Hateful wage annual: $52,430

Currently Employed: 7,010

Alter in Employment (2016-2026): Due north/A

Utah Hateful wage annual: $43,050

Currently Employed: 910

Change in Employment (2016-2026): 41%

Vermont Hateful wage almanac: $48,220

Currently Employed: 220

Alter in Employment (2016-2026): eleven%

Virginia Hateful wage annual: $57,850

Currently Employed: four,080

Change in Employment (2016-2026): 17%

Washington Hateful wage annual: $45,240

Currently Employed: 3,060

Change in Employment (2016-2026): 18%

Due west Virginia Mean wage annual: $38,260

Currently Employed: 170

Change in Employment (2016-2026): 5%

Wisconsin Mean wage annual: $45,310

Currently Employed: 1,580

Alter in Employment (2016-2026): 12%

Wyoming Mean wage annual: $41,330

Currently Employed: 210

Alter in Employment (2016-2026): vi%

This section provides data to aid future event planners find the college that best meets their needs. There are several factors that can influence which degree programs effect planning students choose. Whether they are concerned well-nigh tuition costs, the ability to earn certifications, or the commitment method of courses, the search tool below can help people narrow down their choices.

Professional person Result Planner Associations & Groups

The business organization of event planning is all most making connections, and so it'due south important for professionals to exist a part of organizations that help them exercise that, besides every bit go on their knowledge and skills current. The following are some professional person associations that result planners tin can join to connect with each other and stay informed about what's going on in the manufacture.

Event Planners Clan

Organization that provides back up to members of the event and amusement industry. People who join this association receive access to networking events, certification programs, legal document templates, and industry software.

PCMA

Organization for business event strategists. Members go access to education opportunities, market intelligence, and publications.

Meeting Professionals International

Meeting and event industry organisation that provides certificate programs, webinars, web log posts, and networking events. Those who bring together this association tin can receive industry research journals, chore lath access, newsletters, and on-demand professional evolution services. In add-on, people can connect with professionals in their community by participating in local capacity.

International Association of Exhibitions and Events

Founded in 1928, this association provides services to professionals in the exhibitions and events industry around the world. The system offers professional development and resources, discounts on services, advancement, manufacture news and publications, and webinars.

Wedding International Professionals Association

From wedding planners to florists to block designers, this organization provides didactics for professionals in the wedding industry. Members can take courses and webinars, participate in mentoring programs, and attend events. The association has local capacity in Phoenix, Atlanta, New Orleans, San Francisco, and New York.

International Live Events Association

Supports events workers past providing networking, instruction, and professional person development. Members can also receive discounts on machine rentals, shipping, technology, and business concern management tools.

Resources for Result Planners

In society to proceed their clients happy, information technology's of import for upshot planners to continue learning about the industry throughout their careers. The following are some resources that professionals tin use to stay up to date on what's going on in the field.

Tips for Consequence Planners: Biggest Mistakes (and Lessons Learned) - Smart Meetings

This commodity provides advice from coming together planners.

9 Essential Things Meeting Planners Should Have - Smart Meetings

Provides advice on things meeting planners should use on a daily basis.

10 Tips to Exist a Better Event Planning Consultant - Bizzabo Blog

This commodity includes data on how meeting planners tin exist successful at their jobs.

All Things Event Planning with April - Stitcher Radio

This podcast provides information for those in the event planning industry. Episodes cover managing client expectations, treatment guest lists, choosing a hymeneals officiant, and performing a venue walkthrough.

Planner in Training Podcast: Conversations with Wedding and Event Professionals - Fiorella Neira

Planner and designer Fiorella Neira, the owner of Neira Event Group, provides advice on nuptials and event planning in this podcast.

Metropolis: Consequence Planning Podcast - Toby Goodman and James Eager

Podcast that features interviews with event planners.

BizBash - Event Planning News, Ideas and Resources

Publication that covers news and trends in the events manufacture.

Meetings and Conventions - Northstar Travel Media LLC

This mag provides content for meeting and business organisation event planners.

MeetingsNet - Informa The states, Inc.

Provides data on news, trends, and strategies for the convention, meeting, and incentive travel industry.

Certificate Programs - Meeting Professionals International

This page of Meeting Professionals International's website includes data on the certifications the organisation provides.

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