Do you have a strong desire to create memorable experiences and have a knack for keeping every detail perfect? If so, a career as an event planner might be the perfect fit for you.

Event planners are like the magic-makers for all kinds of events, from weddings to important business meetings and fun parties. They are the key players in event management, turning ideas into fantastic realities and making your dreams come true. 

According to a report from Allied Market Research, the event industry expects to achieve a remarkable value of $1,552.9 billion by 2028. This means good news for people who want to be part of the event planning industry.

In this blog, we’ll explore the journey to becoming a successful event planner, breaking it down into 7 essential steps. Let’s start by understanding what an event planner is and why their role is vital in the world of event management.

What is an event planner? 

An event planner is like a pro-party organizer. Their job is to ensure that everything at an event goes according to plan. Their skills guarantee that every aspect lines up with the client’s vision and goals. This relieves the clients from the stress of planning and allows them to enjoy their event to the fullest.

7 Steps on how to become an event planner

Step 1. Start your educational foundation

Starting your educational journey in event planning offers various advantages. It provides valuable knowledge and practical skills to succeed in this field. These programs offer hands-on experience, networking opportunities, and internships. It also develops your negotiation and communication skills.

Yet, some successful event planners have learned through experience and on-the-job training. So, while education can be beneficial, it isn’t the only route to success in this profession.

What are the courses to take to become an event planner?

To be a certified event planner, you can take different courses depending on your ability.

Here are some of the event planning courses provided for your event planning journey.

• Event Management Courses

These basic courses cover event planning services, design, marketing, budgets, and logistics. You can find them at universities, colleges, or online platforms for complete event management training.

• Hospitality Management

Hospitality management courses offer aspiring event organizers a solid foundation, imparting essential skills to excel in event planning. These courses focus on customer service, teaching students to anticipate diverse needs, including cultural sensitivity, effective communication, and problem-solving for guest satisfaction.

Short courses designed for event planners to offer specialized knowledge to improve their skills. They provide focused training in vital areas of event planning, benefiting both newcomers and experienced professionals in the field.

Here are some key short courses for event planners: 

• Event Design
• Event Marketing and Promotion
• Financial Management
• Contracts and Legal Consideration

What are the benefits of having a certification?

• It makes you more trustworthy, proving to clients and employers that you know a lot about event planning.
• Certification programs provide comprehensive training and valuable industry knowledge while offering networking opportunities.
• It leads to better career prospects, such as higher-paying jobs and the opportunity to start your own event planning business.
• You are ready to provide excellent services to your clients.
• Certificates give you a marketing advantage, attracting clients who value your expertise.

Top 10 list of Event planning certifications for event planners: 

1. Certified Meeting Professionals (CMP)
2. Certified Special Event Professionals (CSEP)
3. Certified Wedding Planners (CWP)
4. Certified Quality Event Planners (CQEP)
5. Certified Government Meeting Professionals (CGMP)
6. Certified in Exhibition Management (CEM)
7. Digital Events Strategist Certification (DES)
8. Certified Festival and Event Executive (CFEE)
9. Certified Event Planning Specialist (CEPS) 
10. Certified Meeting Management (CMM)

Step 2. Develop key skills and qualities for event planner

In the event planning business, one must possess many skills both technical and interpersonal abilities. The success of any event depends on how well the organizers manage to create and handle a seamless experience for guests. 

Event planners should grow and master the following fundamental skills listed below:

• Attention to details
• Organizational expertise
• Creative and passionate
• Communication skills
• Budgeting
• Vendor management
• Adaptability and versatility
• Problem-solving skills
• Time management
• Customer service
• Leadership and teamwork
• Negotiation skill
• Cultural sensitivity

Event planners are responsible for:

• Understanding the client’s vision, needs, and goals to create a customized event plan
• Developing and managing budgets to ensure cost-effective planning
• They are in charge of coordinating and choosing vendors and caterers to provide necessary services and goods for the event
• Create a detailed plan for the event, including themes, layout, and schedules
• Identifying suitable venues and managing logistics such as transportation, accommodation, and equipment
• An event planner should oversee all event elements during the actual event
• Manage registrations, ticket sales, event sales, and attendee information
• Event planners must test the success of the events by gathering feedback and preparing a report for clients to assess the event’s outcome

Step 3. Create an impressive portfolio

Creating an impressive portfolio is a vital step in establishing yourself as a reputable event planner. It’s your visual resume, showcasing your skills, creativity, and past successes to potential clients. 

How to create a portfolio for aspiring planners? 

• Gather examples of your work. It includes photos, videos, event plans, design concepts, event programs, and any other relevant materials. Choose a variety of projects that prove your skills and expertise.
• Highlight diversity. Show different types of events you’ve organized, like weddings, corporate events, or themed parties. Highlight your skills in budgeting, vendor coordination, and theme development.
• Create a digital portfolio, which is easy to share with your potential clients and employers. Use high-quality images and videos to showcase your work. You can use website builders like Wix or WordPress to create an online portfolio. 
• Promote your portfolio by building an online presence through social media platforms.
• Include client’s testimonials. Adding client testimonials to your portfolio is like having happy clients speak for you. It shows your skills, builds trust for potential clients, and boosts your credibility. Collect testimonials after each event to showcase your abilities and adaptability.
  
• Showcase results with numbers. To enhance credibility, include specific figures and numbers that highlight your achievements. Providing measurable results can set you apart and demonstrate your impact as an event manager. For instance, you can mention how you saved a client 10% on their budget or increased attendance at an event by 12% by using Event Smart or Event Espresso’s platform.
  

Keep in mind that your portfolio should evolve as your career does. Update it to see your progress and stay aligned with changing planning events trends. 

Step 4. Find your niche

Before getting a certification, it is important to identify your specialization. To ensure that the course you pursue aligns with your career goals.

Step 5. Gain practical experience

Start by interning or volunteering with event planning groups, local events, or non-profits. These opportunities offer event planning experience and chances to build your professional network. Look for jobs in event planning or related fields, like event assistant or administrative roles at event companies. 

Step 6. Establish a network in the industry

Fostering a solid professional network is like having a secret sauce for your career journey. It involves actively connecting with individuals within the event planning industry, attending industry-related events, and nurturing meaningful relationships with peers, mentors, and potential collaborators. Networking isn’t a one-time effort; it’s an ongoing process that requires genuine deed and authenticity. 

Step 7. Keep learning and evolving

As an aspiring event planner, continual learning and evolution are your secret weapon. Never stop your quest for knowledge and growth. Embrace new trends, technologies, and techniques to stay ahead of this event planning business. Attend networking events such as workshops, webinars, and industry events to expand your network with fellow professionals. 

Learn from mentors and other event professionals. Stay adaptable as the event industry changes.

Tools used in event planning business

Here are some tools that professional event planners use for business management:

• Event platforms like Event Smart help you manage event registrations, ticketing, and promotion. 
• A visual project management tool like Trello lets you organize tasks and timelines on customizable boards.
• QuickBooks is a powerful accounting software designed for managing and tracking expenses, income, and budgeting purposes.
• Slack helps teams communicate instantly and share files effortlessly for better collaboration.
• Canva is an easy-to-use graphic design tool for creating promotional materials.
• Mailchimp is a user-friendly email marketing platform for sending event invitations and newsletters.
• Platforms like Event Espresso help you create and customize your event registration and ticketing process, allowing you to tailor it to the specific needs and branding of your event.
• Hopin is a comprehensive platform designed for hosting interactive virtual and hybrid events, offering a range of integrated features.
• Google Analytics tracks website traffic and event performance.
• SurveyMonkey collects attendee feedback and insights to improve future events.
  

These tools empower event planners to efficiently manage every aspect of their projects, from initial planning to execution and post-event analysis.

Frequently asked questions:

1. How to become an event planner without a degree and experience?

You can become a professional event planner without a degree or experience by learning from resources, volunteering at events, building a portfolio, developing organizational skills, and networking in the event industry.

2. How to be a successful event planner?

To be a successful event planner, you need to excel in organizational skills, budget management, vendor networking, communication, adaptability, industry awareness, and outstanding customer service.

3. How much do event planners make?

An event planner’s salary can vary widely depending on factors such as location, experience, specialization, and the scale of events they handle. 

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, event planners in the United States earn a median annual salary of $ 52,560 but it can be higher for experienced professionals or those working in major cities.

4. What are the qualifications of an event planner?

There are no strict educational requirements to become an event planner, but a degree in hospitality management, marketing, business management, or a related field can be beneficial. 

5. How long does it take to become an event planner?

The time it takes to become a skilled event planner depends on where you begin and your goals. It may require several months to several years to build a strong foundation and become proficient in this field. In event planning, you must keep learning in networking events continuously.

6. Do you need a degree to be an event planner?

While a degree is not a must, having one can give you a strong base and increase your chances of finding good job opportunities in event planning. Successful event planners often have degrees in related areas, but some have gained expertise through different paths.

7. Do you need a license to be an event planner?

Usually, you don’t have to get a license to be an event planner. But in some places, like different cities or countries, there might be regulations or licensing requirements for certain types of events or event planning services. So, it’s essential to check the local rules where you want to work and make sure you follow them.

8. Why event planners are essential?

Event planners are essential for their role in bringing order, creativity, and expertise to event organizations. They manage logistics, budgets, and vendor relationships, ensuring the smooth execution of corporate meetings, weddings, conferences, and other important gatherings, while also providing valuable troubleshooting and stress reduction for clients and attendees.

Establish your event planning business with Event Smart

Becoming a successful event planner is a fulfilling journey that combines creativity, organization, and a passion for creating unforgettable experiences. 

Yet, pursuing your dream career as an event planner requires dedication, continuous learning, and a commitment to excellence in the event planning industry. Platforms like Event Smart will help you establish event management like ticketing sales software, event promotion, and many more. 

Event Smart is here to turn your passion for planning into a thriving and rewarding profession in the world of events. Start a 14-day trial now!