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Event Planning Resources

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.
Event Planning Checklist
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.
To read more about how to get your checklist for event planning, click here to go to the Event Planning Checklist page.
Conference Planning Checklist
Just like the Event Planning Checklist mentioned above, but this one is customized for conferences and corporate meetings.

Click here to go to the Conference Planning Checklist page to find out how you can get your checklist.
Event Planning Books
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.
Event Planning Magazines
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!
Event Planning Software
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 software.
Personal Growth from SelfGrowth.com
SelfGrowth.com is the most complete guide to information about Self -Improvement, Personal Growth and Self Help on the Internet. It is designed to be an organized directory, with articles and references to thousands of other Web Sites on the World Wide Web.

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!

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"You have one of the best Event Planning sites that I have seen out there online, and I have seen many. You are like having my own personal Event Planner Coach. Thank you for your great newsletters!"

"Sirena, I did what you suggested and volunteered to help at a event. It worked and now the planner wants me to be in charge of getting the vendors for her event! I am so excited. I also have a chance to help out with a big wedding in October. Your help has been so wonderful! I want this and am going after it!"

"I would like to let you know that your website and emails have been a huge help in my journey to becoming a successful event planner. Thank you so much for helping to make my dreams a reality."

"I have been receiving your newsletter for a few weeks now, and had to write you to say that you have a true gift. Your newsletters are inspirational, informative, and motivational. Thank you so much for taking your time to help others like me with a love for this career by providing us such tools.

We all need mentors and professionals in the field that don't forget where they came from and what they had to do to achieve the success they now enjoy. I appreciate your friendly approach and look forward to reading many more newsletters."

"You inspire and motivate me every time I open your mail. Without your authentic guidance, advice, help, encouragement and support I would not be as confident in becoming an event planner. Thank you from the bottom of my heart."

"I just wanted to say THANK YOU!!!! I've spent hours upon hours researching event planning on the web, trying to figure out how to get started in this business. Yours is the only site that helps true beginners learn what steps to take. I am so thankful I stumbled upon your site!!!"

"I would like to just thank you for your amazing website. I have always known that I want a career not just a job; and after reading your entire website (which is the only website I can honestly say I have read every single word) I now know that event management is for me. I have even printed your words so I can put them in a folder and use them as guidance for future referencing for starting my career. I look forward to your news letters. Thanks a million!"

"I just wanted to send a quick thank you for all of your time and effort you put into all of these newsletters. They really are such a huge help. As a senior high school student headed to university and hoping to get into the event planning industry, your newsletters keep me motivated to stay on the right track and not back out, especially since there isn't much (useful) information out there about the industry. I would definitely recommend your website to a friend."

"I would like to thank you for a great job on your newsletter. I have been in event planning for 10 years and your weekly emails always give me something new to take away and use, as well as give me new reasons to love my job. Thanks for your hard work!"

"I have in fact read through your whole website and find it amazing. To be honest, I have not found anything as insightful anywhere on the internet. It is very well organized and chock full of information. Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

"I love your website and in the last couple months I have kept coming back. I have always loved the idea of being an event coordinator, just never took the time to learn more about it until I came across your website. I have read over and over again what it is that a planner does and the skills and attributes you need to have for a job like this. I am always excited to open every newsletter you send, and always read your site to see if you've written more great information. Please keep it coming!"