WHO ARE EVENT PLANNERS?
The event planning industry generates $65 billion a
year. Chances are, at some point in your life you have
organized or helped organize an event. Most planned
events, especially in the business world, require prior
arrangements and detailed preparations. Planning
conferences and meetings has become a skilled
profession. An event planner is someone who organizes
events.
Alternate titles might be:
Conference and meeting planner
Convention coordinator
Wedding planner
Event planner
Festival organizer
Meeting planner
Special events organizer
Trade show planner
WHAT DO THEY DO?
Event planners design, organize and coordinate
conferences,
conventions, meetings, seminars, exhibitions, trade
shows, festivals
and other events. They are responsible for participants'
accommodations and transportation, facilities, catering,
signage, displays, translation, audio-visual equipment,
printing and security.
They also establish and monitor budgets to support these
ventures. As an event planner, you might plan:
* Award events
* Charity fundraisers
* Conferences
* Exhibitions
* Fashion shows
* Fairs and festivals
* Grand openings
* Holiday events
* Meetings
* New product launches
* Political events
* Seminars
* Social events
* Sporting events
* Trade shows
Weddings have become a big business in recent years and
wedding
consultants make up a significant portion of event
planners. There are about two and a half million
weddings a year in the United States. People are going
beyond a small ceremony in the family church or
synagogue, followed by a reception back at the bride's
parents' house. Elaborate weddings and receptions that
follow strict timetables are now sought after by many
couples. Wedding consultants are trained and experienced
in wedding productions, and are the people who keep the
weddings from derailing. They can listen, plan, organize
and offer encouragement. Because they are objective
third parties, they can be diplomatic when disagreements
arise.
WHERE DO THEY WORK?
Event planners work in both the public and private
sectors. Some
examples of where they work are: tourism associations,
trade and
professional associations, casinos, festival and event
associations,
theme parks, cruise lines, country clubs, municipal
parks and
recreation departments, educational institutions, large
corporations,
convention and conference centers, hotels and conference
and event planning companies mainly hire them. Most
planners are self-employed and many own their own
businesses or co-own businesses with partners.
AVERAGE ANNUAL EARNINGS:
Full-time event consultants can average between $45,000
- $95,000
depending on performance, experience and market area.
IS THERE A REQUIRED BACKGROUND?
There are no specific requirements (or required majors)
for event
planners. However, some knowledge of and experience in
business
administration, marketing, public relations, tourism or
hospitality
administration would be useful. Certification is
optional.
Associations, mentioned below, offer certification, as
does this
organization:
http://useventguide.com/combine_certification_program.html
Event planners need to have:
* Communication skills
* Organization skills (in order to plan and coordinate
event logistics)
* Excellent presentation skills
* Ability to multitask and work under pressure
* Knowledge of media relations and marketing to promote
events
RESOURCES:
Books:
Opportunities in Event Planning Careers by Blythe
Camenson (available in Career Services and Employer
Relations)
Associations:
International Special Events Society (ISES)
http://www.ises.com/
International Festivals & Events Association (IFEA)
http://www.ifea.com/
Meeting Professional International (MPI)
http://www.mpiweb.org
Yankee Festivals & Events Association (for New England
states)
Burlington Parks and Recreation Department
645 Pine Street, suite B
Burlington, VT 05401
(802) 865-7552
|
|
|
Be sure to check out this new feature on our website to connect with alumni for career information and advice:
» CareerLink
Interested in jobs or internships with local employers? Meet informally with company representatives each Wednesday
in the College Center lobby, learn about their companies, and submit resumes.
For a list of upcoming employers this spring semester,
click here: » What's Happening
|
HAVE YOUR RESUME REVIEWED IN CAREER SERVICES AND
EMPLOYER RELATIONS BEFORE PRESENTING IT TO
EMPLOYERS. IT'S FREE!!! |
The top ten ways to spend winter break are...
» Full Article
In order to provide students with helpful career
information we will periodically "spotlight" a variety
of careers. This issue features:
CHILD LIFE SPECIALIST
&
EVENT PLANNER
Click
here for more details about careers.
Fast Company's "Top 25 jobs for 2006"
list included Public Relations Manager, Marketing
Manager, Sales Manager, and Advertising and Promotions
Manager. What are the differences between these
jobs?
» Full Article
|
|
CAREER
SPOTLIGHT