As event planning continues to grow into a recognized career path, there is an increasing amount of resources popping up every day to help event planners (and aspiring planners as well).
This Website Ok, ok, this is not a shameless plug at self-promotion, I promise! But if you stumbled upon this page without reading the previous pages, I strongly urge you to do so. The entire purpose of this site is to give you a "short cut" to information that took me years to figure out.
Click here
to start out on the Home page, and read every page after that, in order. There is a lot of preliminary, introductory information on this site that will help you understand the breadth of the meetings, incentives, and events industry; as well as the various opportunities for jobs and careers, and where you might find your niche.
Whether you are just starting out on your first event or gearing up for your 100th, every planner relies on some sort of checklist to guide her process. Event planning is all about "to do lists" and details, and keeping an organized checklist helps you keep everything in order.
However, there are many, many elements to event planning that you absolutely must learn if you want to pursue a career in any segment of the industry. There is terminology and lingo to learn; certain rules regarding room layout or flow; and equations for budgeting. There are checklists to complete, interrelated “areas” to understand, and millions of logistics to consider; each with its own implications and impact on the event.
Whatever path you take within the industry, it is best if you learn the basics of event planning, as every aspect of an event impacts the others. Even if you don’t intend on becoming a planner, you must learn the foundation and the language in order to succeed.
Before you begin to network and try to find job or volunteer opportunities, you absolutely must read and learn the basics. Be sure to check out the
Event Planning Books
page to begin laying the foundation of your event planning knowledge.
Understanding the industry and learning about the companies who are succeeding in it will expand your opportunities for a great career. Like any industry, there are politics, gossip, and “insiders scoop” that can only be beneficial to your education. Check out a few recommended
Event Planning Magazines
to get started.
Networking
As discussed on the
Career Planning
page, there are many ways to find people, associations, and companies that can help you realize your event planning goals. Find someone with whom you can do an informational interview and ask questions! Great local resources in any city include Convention and Visitors Bureaus (CVBs) and Chambers of Commerce. A human contact and mentor can make the difference in your career path.
Internet
Of course, nothing beats the good ole’ internet. The worldwide web can lead you to event planning associations, frequently asked questions, and companies in your area that hire event planners. Just be sure to cross-check your findings with other resources.
Directories are a great resource that offer a "one-stop shopping" list of businesses and resources in the industry. This can be a great place to start if you are looking for a specific area in the industry to begin your career.
One of the more in-depth directories that focuses on the event industry is EventPlanners-Directory.
Find Meeting Facilities at MeetingSource.com - MeetingSource helps meeting planners find meeting facilities by state or city or size of meeting. Be sure to check out the
"Featured Destinations" page
because it lists CVBs (Convention and Visitors Bureaus) by state, which are an endless resource for people breaking into the industry!
Once you get your foot in the door, you will realize that it is just the beginning! A lifelong path of self-education awaits. Finding the proper tools is a necessity;
click here
to learn more about event planning software.
Event planning is truly a path that will give back what you are willing to put in. Dedicate your life toward learning everything you can now, and you will succeed beyond your wildest dreams!
Ok, ok, this is not a shameless plug at self-promotion, I promise! But if you stumbled upon this page without reading the previous pages, I strongly urge you to do so. The entire purpose of this site is to give you a "short cut" to information that took me years to figure out.
