Event planner jobs are diverse in terms of the types of people or businesses they serve, as well as the types of events or venues they must plan. Some event planners enjoy assisting families in planning birthday, anniversary, or wedding parties. These types of projects almost always necessitate the use of a freelance consultant from the outside. Some event planning jobs, such as those in businesses, are full-time. The event planner’s goal in this case is to promote the company through events such as informational seminars or trade shows that are related to the company’s products and/or services.
Some event planning jobs are centered on major events that happen only once a year or every few years. Venues such as the Super Bowl, the Olympics, and presidential inaugurations, to name a few, require services such as food vending, transportation, and security. Whatever the scope of an event, event planners must be able to organize and juggle every detail to ensure that everything runs smoothly. During an event, things can go wrong. The planner must be prepared to correct the situation reassessing and reorganizing, as well as enlisting outside help if necessary.
The event planner is in charge of all aspects of the event. He or she may organize speakers, set up registration for attendees, plan and schedule meetings or seminars, and ensure that all invited guests’ needs are met. A planner’s main goal is to ensure that the event is appropriate for the group or company for which he or she is working and that it is a success.
If an event planner is hired to put on a gathering for people in a particular industry to meet and interact, for example, the planner might think about whether a series of lectures and seminars, interactive discussion panels, or a trade show would be the best way to do so. For different groups of professionals, different formats are likely to be more effective. A lecture series might not be the best choice of event for interactive technology professionals, and thus fail to meet the hiring company’s objectives. Medical professionals, on the other hand, may be more used to learning through lectures.
While no formal education is required for event planning positions, many planners have a Bachelor’s degree in marketing, business, tourism administration, or hospitality. Studying those subjects ensures that the student comprehends the nature of event planning and has the ability to plan and organize a variety of events. It also prepares candidates to handle any issues that may arise during the planning or execution of events.
The pay for event planner jobs varies widely. Those who do not want to work for a corporation can find work at convention centers, hotels and resorts, cruise lines, and casinos. Other places to look for event planning jobs include non-profit organizations and event planning firms.