How to become an event planner?
An event planner takes care of every part of an event. If you love planning and organising events, being an event planner can be a good career choice. This article will show you the main steps to become a successful event planner.
Event planning is a fun and active career. It includes organising and managing all kinds of events: weddings, corporate meetings, conferences, and parties. You need creativity, good organisational skills, and ability to do many tasks at the same time. If you love planning and organising events, being an event planner can be a satisfying career choice. This article will tell you the main steps to become a successful event planner.
- Understanding the Role
- List of colleges offering Event Management Courses
- Gaining Experience
- Building a Portfolio
- Marketing Yourself
- Financial Management
- Client Relationships
- Vendor Relationships
- Continuous Learning
- Handling Challenges
Understanding the Role
An event planner is in charge of every facet of the event, from conception to completion. This includes venue selection, budgeting, logistics, coordinating with vendors, and ensuring everything runs smoothly on the day of the event. Event planners must be detail-oriented, creative, and excellent communicators. To deal with any unforeseen problems that may come up, they should also possess good problem-solving abilities.
You don’t always need a formal education, but a degree can be useful. Many people who plan events have degrees in business, hotel management, communications, or public relations. Some colleges and universities also give special courses in event planning. These courses can give you helpful knowledge about industry and teach you key skills: budgeting, marketing, and managing logistics.
Online courses and certifications in event planning are also available. These can be a flexible option for those who want to gain knowledge and skills while continuing to work or manage other commitments.
List of colleges offering Event Management Courses
Some colleges that offer event management courses:
Top Colleges for Event Management in India
| College Name | Course Name |
|---|---|
| National Academy of Event Management and Development (NAEMD), Mumbai | BBA in Event Management, MBA in Event Management |
| National Institute of Event Management (NIEM), Mumbai | Diploma in Event Management, Post Graduate Diploma in Event Management |
| Amity Institute of Event Management, Noida | BBA in Event Management, MBA in Event Management |
| Indian Institute of Learning and Advanced Development (INLEAD), Gurgaon | Post Graduate Diploma in Event Management and Public Relations |
| Institute of Mass Communication Film and Television Studies, Kolkata | Post Graduate Diploma in Event Management |
| Apeejay Institute of Mass Communication, New Delhi | Post Graduate Diploma in Corporate Communication & Event Management |
| EMDI Institute of Media & Communication, Mumbai | Post Graduate Diploma in Event Management & Public Relations |
| International Institute of Event Management (IIEM), Mumbai | Diploma in Event Management, Advanced Diploma in Event Management |
| National Institute of Fashion and Events (NIFE), Delhi | Diploma in Event Management |
| International Institute of Fashion Design (INIFD), Chandigarh | Certification in Event Management |
Also Read: Best Event Management Colleges In India
International Colleges for Event Management
| College Name | Course Name |
|---|---|
| George Washington University, USA | Master's in Tourism Administration with a focus on Event Management |
| University of Central Florida, USA | Bachelor's in Event Management |
| Leeds Beckett University, UK | BA (Hons) in Event Management |
| University of Queensland, Australia | Master's in Tourism, Hotel and Event Management |
| University of Surrey, UK | MSc in International Events Management |
Also Read: Event Management Colleges In Delhi NCR
Specialised Institutes for Event Management Programmes
| Institute Name | Course Name |
|---|---|
| Event Management Development Institute (EMDI), Mumbai | Professional Diploma in Event Management |
| National Institute of Creative Communication (NICC), Bangalore | Diploma in Event Management |
| Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication (SIMC), Pune | MBA in Communication Management with a specialization in Event Management |
| Rachnoutsav Academy, Hyderabad | MBA in Event Management and PR |
Gaining Experience
Practical experience is very important in event planning. Doing internships, part-time work, or volunteering with event planning companies can give you good hands-on experience. Working on small events: family parties or local community events can also help you learn and build your portfolio. This kind of experience is needed to understand the industry better and feel confident in your skills.
Networking is also key in event planning. Going to industry events, joining professional groups, and connecting with other event planners can give you good chances to learn and grow.
Building a Portfolio
A strong portfolio is essential for showcasing your skills and experience to potential clients and employers. Include photos, videos, and descriptions of events you have planned, highlighting your role and the outcomes. Testimonials from clients and colleagues can add credibility to your portfolio. Ask for feedback and permission to include their comments in your portfolio.
Update your portfolio with your most recent creations. A well-organised and visually appealing portfolio can make a significant impact on potential clients and employers.
Marketing Yourself
Making your personal brand is really important in event planning. You can make a professional website and social media pages to show your work and reach clients. Use social media to post photos and updates from events you planned. Talking to people and showing your skills can help you get new clients.
Networking is very important too. Go to industry events, join professional groups, and meet other event planners and vendors.
Financial Management
Managing money is very important for your event planning business. Track income and expenses and make a budget for each event. Price your services right. Check market rates in your area and set prices fair. Be clear with clients about pricing.
Use accounting software to keep track of money and send invoices. It helps you stay organized and get paid on time.
Client Relationships
Good client relationships are very important. Give excellent service, respond fast to their needs, and do extra to make clients happy.
Communication is key. Keep clients updated, solve problems quickly, and stay professional. Ask for feedback after the event. Use it to improve and build loyal clients.
Vendor Relationships
Good relationships with vendors are important too. A network of reliable vendors helps events run smoothly. Tell vendors clearly what you need and expect. Negotiate contracts so both sides understand.
Treat vendors with respect and professionalism. Good relationships can lead to better cooperation and sometimes lower costs for events.
Continuous Learning
The event planning industry is constantly evolving, so it’s important to stay updated with the latest trends and best practices. Attend workshops, seminars, and conferences to continue learning and growing in your career.
Handling Challenges
Event planning can be stressful and challenging. Develop effective time management and stress management techniques to handle the demands of the job. Stay organised and prioritise your tasks to ensure you meet deadlines and deliver successful events. Use tools such as to-do lists, calendars, and project management software to keep track of your tasks.
Be prepared for unexpected challenges and have contingency plans in place. Flexibility and adaptability are key traits of successful event planners.
Porishmita Paul holds an MSc in Anthropology from Gauhati University and has over 2 years of experience in content writing. She has been handling content for Hospitality & Humanities at Shiksha for a long time. She
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