Organizing and arranging all of the many details that go into an event, such as a business promotion, birthday party, or fundraiser, is what event planning entails. The industry has exploded in the last 10 to 15 years, with recent research estimating that nearly $500 billion USD is spent annually on planned events around the world. The improved economy and the trend of corporate businesses outsourcing their meeting and planning functions are driving this growth.
Detailed planning can help with a variety of business and social events. Celebrations, promotions, commemorations, and education are just some of the categories that can be used to categorize events. Parades, weddings, birthdays, and anniversaries are all examples of celebrations. Political rallies, product launches, and fashion shows are examples of promotional events. Civic events and memorials are examples of commemorative events. Meetings, graduations, and conferences are examples of educational events.
To make the event a success, organizers must manage a variety of tasks. A planner might be in charge of finding a location for the event, designing it, and conducting research on the people who have requested it. Decor, food, and entertainment preparation are all part of the event planning process. A planner’s responsibilities may also include sending out invitations and arranging lodging. His or her responsibilities may also include site supervision and event personnel coordination.
The experience that an event planner has in this field is why businesses and individuals hire him or her. Event planning is a time-consuming and sometimes stressful endeavor. For example, a bride’s wedding day may be stressful enough without having to worry about the caterers arriving on time. A professional planner has the time and contacts to ensure that the event goes off without a hitch.
The event planning industry is diverse, and event planners are typically people who began their careers in one aspect of special events. Some caterers may have expanded their services to include event planning. Others have worked as corporate planners before deciding to start their own company. Their years of event planning experience are crucial to ensuring that everything runs smoothly.
Gaining a qualification in event planning or management, such as a degree or certificate, is another way to break into the field. Individuals should consider pursuing certification as a Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP) or a Certified Meeting Planner (CMP) (CMP). Earning either certification requires a lot of research and study, and the positions come with a lot of responsibility.