Event Planning
Event Planning
 An event planner is, quite simply, someone who
organizes an event. An event can be as big as the
Super Bowl or the Presidential Inauguration or it
could be a thousand of smaller events. Any time
people gather together for a purpose, whether it is
for a wedding, a conference, a festival, a formal
dinner, or the grand opening of a new store,
someone is needed to oversee all the details to
ensure the event happens and that it is a success.
Event Planning
 Event planners may also work for themselves out of
their homes. Start up costs are very minimal…a
phone, a website, and business cards. Most selfemployed event planners just starting out spend the
majority of their time marketing themselves and
finding clients. Getting to know local venues,
caterers, florists, and rental companies is also
important. Some planners specialize in certain types
of events, such as weddings.
Skills of an Event Planning
 Detail-oriented
 Creative
 Organized
 Flexible
 Work well under pressure to meet deadlines
 Ability to multi-task
 Assertive
 Strong writing & communication skills
 Negotiation skills
Who hires event planners?
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Banking/ Investment groups
Car Dealerships
Casinos
Caterers
Chambers of Commerce
Cities
Coalitions
Convention Centers
Convention & Visitors Bureaus
Country Clubs
Cruise Lines
Department Stores
Florists
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Hospitals
Hotels/ Resorts
Museums
Nonprofit Organizations
Pharmaceutical Companies
Private Schools
Professional Associations
PR Firms
Shopping Malls
Theme Parks
Tourism Organizations
Trade Associations
Universities
Informational Interviews
 “Be willing to work hard and start from the
bottom. Be a creative and out-of-the-box thinker,
hard-working, learn from your mistakes, and
remember that good character is an irreplaceable
trait!”
~Katherine Kane, Midtown Events
 “Start interning or volunteering somewhere, anywhere as
soon as possible. This experience will help you build
relationships and get hired.”
 “Working in hotels is also a great way to get your foot in
the door.”
 “Look at all aspects of event planning and learn what
your favorite parts are. There are great opportunities
within the industry that still plug you into the events
themselves.”
~Jessica Sanders,
Forsyth County Parks and Recreation
Timeline for entering this field
August
September
thru
December
January
thru
March
April
thru
June
July
Decide
location and
employer
preference;
prepare
resume—
have
reviewed by
OPCD
Network with
event
planners;
conduct
informational
interviews
Network with
event planners;
conduct
informational
interviews; have
a mock
interview (Jan);
apply for
positions (FebMarch)
Network
with event
planners;
continue
applying for
positions;
interview
Evaluate offers
of employment;
submit
acceptance letter
to position of
choice and
politely decline
offers you do not
wish to accept
Industry Forecasts
 Projected growth (2012-2022): 22%
[much faster than average]
 Projected job openings (2012-2022): 44,200
 Median wages (2013): $22.24 hourly,
$46,260 annually
[According to Onet*]
 “As businesses and organizations become increasingly
international, meetings and conventions are expected to
become even more important.”
[Bureau of Labor Statistics]
Expectations for Entry
 Bachelor’s Degree—Preferred Entry-level Education
 No pre-requisite training for event planning
 Related work experience is very important
 “In my experience, there has been very little formal
training. I have always just been thrown into the
deep end. It's scary initially but a great way to learn!”
~Jessica Sanders
[Informational Interview]
Job Titles
 Convention Services Manager (CSM)
 Conference Planning Manager
 Conference Services Manager
 Catering Manager
 Events Manager
 Conference Planner
 Director of Conference Services
 Conference Manager
 Director of Events
Typical Responsibilities
 Meet with clients to understand the purpose of the
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meeting or event
Plan the scope of the event, including time, location, and
cost
Solicit bids from venues and service providers (for
example, florists or photographers)
Inspect venues to ensure that they meet the client's
requirements
Coordinate event services such as rooms, transportation,
and food service
Monitor event activities to ensure the client and event
attendees are satisfied
Review event bills and approve payment
Job Functions
 Association planners—organize annual conferences and trade shows for
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professional associations. Because member attendance is often voluntary,
marketing the meeting’s value is an important aspect of their work.
Corporate planners—organize internal business meetings and meetings
between businesses.
Government meeting planners—organize meetings for government
officials and agencies. Being familiar with government regulations, such as
procedures for buying materials and booking hotels, is vital to their work.
Convention service managers—help organize major events, as
employees of hotels and convention centers. They act as liaisons between
the meeting facility and the planners who work for associations, businesses,
and governments. They present food service options to outside planners,
coordinate special requests, and suggest hotel services depending on a
planner’s budget.
Event planners—arrange the details of a variety of events, including
weddings and large parties.
Non-profit event planners—plan large events with the goal of raising
donations for a charity or advocacy organization. Events may include
banquets, charity races, and food drives.
Leading Event Planners
 Stefanie Cove, Yifat Oren & Associates, Los Angeles
 Linle Froeb, LJF Events, San Francisco
 Charlotte Wolseley Brinton, Event Fusion, London
 David Monn, New York
 Debi Lilly, A Perfect Event, Chicago
 Bryan Rafanelli, Rafanelli Events, Boston
 Jennifer Bassett, Bassett Events, Toronto
 Steve Kemble, Dallas
 Karla Dascal, KARLA Conceptual Event, Florida
[From DEPARTURES]
WFU Contacts
 Jessica Sanders, Forsyth County Parks and
Recreation
 Elaina Forbes, Self Employed
 Kaley Fountain, Christie Rose Events
 And 39 more!