What do you need to do to become an Event Planner.?

Question

Does a person need to take a course on this? Be licensed or certified? What exactly does an Event Planner do?

Answer 1

I do agree with the above. It is first important to recognize what type of planning you are interested in--Event Planning..meetings, private parties and/or Wedding Planning..wedding planning/coordinating/consulting.

Search locally for planners to see if they have apprenticeships available or shadow them on 1-2 of their upcoming events.

Research the websites provided in the above answer along with some wedding planning sites if you are interested in doing those as well. I wish you the best!

Answer 2

Licenses are not typically required for becoming an event planner (unlike professions such as nursing). But it would greatly help if you can be certified.

Some of the certifications in this field include:

International Special Events Society: Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP) http://www.ises.com/csep/intro.cfm
Meeting Professionals International: Certification in Meeting Management (CMM) http://www.mpiweb.org/education/cmm/
Convention Industry Council: Certified Meeting Professional Program (CMP) http://www.conventionindustry.org/cmp/
Connected International Meeting Professionals Association: Certified Global Meeting Planner http://www.cimpa.org/cgmp.htm
Association of Destination Management Executives: Destination Management Certified Professional http://www.adme.org/members/DMCPCertification.asp

The common duties of an event planner include:

- Determine client’s needs and expectations
- Plan and create the overall design of the event
- Develop timelines and production schedules
- Manage the operations team or support staff
- Coordinate and provide service to the clients and vendors as needed (even 24 hours!)
- Oversee all aspects of the event execution
- Select and secure appropriate vendors to supply all components of the event
- Monitor and evaluate the event

I suggest you read the following books:

- How to Start a Home-Based Event Planning Business
- The Essential Event Planning Kit
- The Business of Event Planning: Behind-the-Scenes Secrets of Successful Special Events
- Entrepreneur Magazine's Start Your Own Event Planning Business : Your Step by Step Guide to Success (Start Your Own Event Planning)
- Event Planning : The Ultimate Guide to Successful Meetings, Corporate Events, Fundraising Galas, Conferences, Conventions, Incentives and Other Special Events