According to the Convention Industry Council’s 2012 Economic Significance Study, 1.83 million corporate/business meetings, trade shows, conventions, etc. There is a huge market for these types of events. Thousands of these events occur each year, and although the large ones require specialized event planning experience, you may find smaller local events to start out with.Ĭompanies host trade shows, conventions, company picnics, holiday parties, and meetings for staff members, board members, or stockholders. Charities and nonprofit organizations host gala fundraisers, receptions and athletic competitions, among other events, to expand their public support base and raise funds. The term 'corporate' includes not only companies but also charities and nonprofit organizations. Because of the research and study it takes to become a CSEP or CMP, clients know that these planners are professionals.īroadly speaking, there are two markets for event planning services: corporate and social. Many corporations, and some members of the general public, look for these designations when hiring planners. These designations are given out by ISES and MPI, respectively. A list of colleges and universities offering educational opportunities in this field is available from Meeting Professionals International (MPI).Īlso consider working to become a CSEP (Certified Special Events Professional) or CMP (Certified Meeting Planner). Becoming CertifiedĬonsider getting a degree or certificate from a local university in event planning or management. Joyce Barnes-Wolff planned in-house events for a retail chain for 11 years and then worked for another event planning company before striking out on her own. This explains why planners often not only coordinate entire events but may, in addition, provide one or more services for those events.Įvent planners may also have started out planning events for other companies before deciding to go into business for themselves. Many other planners have similar stories. Business owner Martin Van Keken had a successful catering company before he decided to plan entire events.

Planners are often people who got their start in one particular aspect of special events. Independent planners can step in and give these special events the attention they deserve.

This question has a simple answer: Individuals often find they lack the expertise and time to plan events themselves. How many of these activities your business engages in will depend on the size and type of a particular event, which will, in turn, depend on the specialization you choose. Coordinating the activities of event personnel.Arranging any necessary accommodations for attendees.Planning transportation to and from the event.Arranging for food, decor and entertainment.

Now we move to the second question: What is event planning? Planners of an event may handle any or all of the following tasks related to that event: This list isn't an exhaustive one, but as the examples illustrate, special events may be business related, purely social or somewhere in between. Commemorations (memorials, civic events).Promotions (product launches, political rallies, fashion shows).Education (conferences, meetings, graduations).Celebrations (fairs, parades, weddings, reunions, birthdays, anniversaries).

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