Special Event PlanningWhen you say the words "event planning," many people don't think of the corporate side of planning. They think of the high profile, general public, special events and festivals that are held in every town, every city, every state, and every country, worldwide. And with good reason. As with corporate events and meetings, it is impossible to determine just how many special events are held each year. However, the non-profit sector alone generated $40 billion in 2006 through special events. And this does not include the for-profit festivals and events, such as food festivals, wine festivals, music festivals, and any other event you can think of! Just to get your mind whirling, here's a very short list of the literally countless examples of special events and festivals held each year:
.....and on and on and on. Phew!
As a side note: you will notice that there are a few events that overlap in categories. For example, "Race for the Cure" qualifies as a special event, a fundraiser, and a sporting event. Don't get caught up in the terminology; these categories are merely a way to organize a huge, enormous, gigantic industry!
Who plans these events? How do I find these jobs? Nearly every special event in existence is run by a committee. For many of the smaller events, these committees are made up of strictly volunteers. While it is more difficult to find job opportunities on smaller committees, this is a FANTASTIC way to gain some experience if you are starting out with none! (For much, much more on this topic, be sure to click on the "Career Planning" link at the bottom of this page). For the larger special events and festivals, there are usually a few full-time paid positions within the organization or association that is hosting the event.
What is an association?  Associations are groups of people, usually non-profit, who create an organization to accomplish a purpose.
Within this association, there will be a main contact, someone who is serving as the main planner or organizer. Whether you are trying to land a paid position or if you'd like to volunteer to gain some experience, this will be a good person to try to get to know. Whether you are looking for volunteer or paid positions, most opportunities with special events are short-term. An association or organization will start looking for short-term, freelance contractors anywhere from 6-12 months in advance of the event. Smaller events need less time, larger events often need a year. This is where YOU come in! If you are just starting out in the events industry, volunteer. If you have experience, research which organizations are in charge of the events you are interested in working. A year in advance, approach them and begin networking!
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