An event specialist is a skilled individual who manages or supervises all aspects of an event’s preparation. These particulars include everything from locating the ideal location to selecting the appropriate dishes and silverware. Long hours, extreme attention to detail, and excellent organizational skills are all required for this job.
An event specialist’s job is extremely demanding, and it frequently necessitates long hours, especially in the days leading up to an event. Specialists collaborate with clients to identify their needs and expectations, and then strive to exceed them. A happy client will pass on the specialist’s name to other potential clients, just as an unhappy client will spread the word and potentially ruin an event specialist’s reputation. As a result, every aspect of the plan must have a backup plan in place in case something goes wrong, such as a caterer canceling at the last minute.
An event planner’s job entails putting many small details into one big picture, so organizational skills are a must. Everyone from caterers to entertainers must be hired specialists. They book guest speakers, make sure the most important guests have the best possible accommodations and transportation to the event, and stay within the client’s budget. All of the details must be organized and maintained, which necessitates meticulous record-keeping and research skills.
A successful event specialist typically has a large network of contacts in the event-planning industries, including food service, hospitality, entertainment, and printing. Maintaining positive business relationships with contacts is a year-round job, but it pays off because the specialist can use those contacts to develop both plans and backup plans. Attending conferences and other events is a great way for an event planner to meet new people and learn new things about event planning in general.
An event specialist’s educational requirements vary. Candidates with a college education are often preferred large companies looking to hire on-staff specialists, though years of experience planning successful events can overcome this requirement. Degrees in marketing, public relations, or hospitality are common among those with them. Most event planners begin their careers working for someone else until they have gained sufficient experience to start their own businesses.
An event specialist’s salary varies greatly depending on their level of experience, location, and workload. Work may not always be consistent; a specialist may have three months of back-to-back events, followed several months of no events. While event specialists working on-staff at a single company may receive regular paychecks, those that work for themselves receive pay on a far more erratic schedule and must use good money management skills to make sure it lasts through dry spells in work.