You may want to get event planning certification if you are considering a career in the field of event planning or if you are an experienced event planner who wants to add an official qualification to your resume. You must complete one of the many event planning courses available across the United States to earn this type of certification. Many of these classes are divided into two parts: core units that cover the fundamentals of event planning and electives that provide specialized knowledge of one or more types of event planning.
Adult education departments of many colleges and universities, vocational and hospitality schools, and business training institutes all offer event planning certification courses. Many classes are held in the evenings and on weekends, allowing participants to complete their certification while still working. Some programs even provide web-based classes, allowing students to complete their coursework at their leisure. The majority of event planning certification programs take nine to 18 months to complete.
Once you’ve enrolled in an event planning certification program, you’ll be expected to complete a curriculum that includes mandatory core units as well as electives that you choose. The core units are designed to teach you the fundamentals of event planning so that you can plan a wide range of events. Time management, budgeting, marketing, selecting event venues, and negotiating with vendors are likely to be covered in these classes.
In most cases, you will also be required to complete one or more elective units in addition to these core units. These electives allow you to gain a deeper understanding of the aspects of event planning that you are most interested in. You could study wedding and party planning, trade show planning, or sporting event planning, for example.
Some event planning certification programs include a required internship component. Your school or university may assign you to an internship, or you may be required to find one on your own. While most event planning internships are unpaid, they can provide you with valuable hands-on experience and help you network in the industry.
You will receive an event planning certificate once you have completed all of the required coursework. This certification may be sponsored a state hospitality association, depending on your program and the state in which you complete it. You can then add your new qualification to your résumé, making it stand out and potentially attracting new clients.