Steps to a Fab Job as an Event Planner
by Jan L. Riddell

A village feast to welcome home hunters in the wilds of Borneo and a glittering fund-raiser soiree at a swanky New York hotel may not sound like they have much in common, but they do have at least one similarity. 

Someone, somewhere, got the ball rolling and using a little resourcefulness, creativity and sheer determination successfully pulled off a spectacular event.  (Well, someone had to figure out how much food and drink was required at the feast and where the chief would sit!)  That person is an event planner.

If event planning sounds like it could be your dream career, here are 7 steps to become an event planner, based on the FabJob Guide to Become an Event Planner by Jan L. Riddell, Carol Palmatier and Peter J. Gallanis.

1.  Assess Your Skills 

Before you quit your day job to become an event planner, take the time to honestly assess your current skills to ensure you have what it takes to succeed as an event planner. 

Event planners must be creative and well organized, but they must also have excellent interpersonal skills. Events are about people, so successful event planners must be able to effectively listen to what clients want, develop relationships and negotiate with vendors (companies that supply products and services for events). 

TIP:  If you’re creative and have great people skills, but could use some help getting organized, event planning software is available to help you keep track of event details.

2. Learn How to Plan Events

Almost all events have common components such as some type of meal or refreshment, a form of entertainment or speaker, invitations or registrations, etc. The event planner is the person who pulls all of the components together.  

There are excellent resources available to help you learn how to plan events and assist with each stage of event planning including how to: choose a date, decide who to invite, budget, create timeline schedules, work with vendors, and market events. If you want a formal education, many colleges offer degrees or certificates in event planning. If you would rather break into event planning without a formal education, you can quickly learn how to plan events with books such as the FabJob Guide to Become an Event Planner.

3.  Get Hands-On Experience

The easiest way to learn about the steps involved is through personal experience (i.e. planning events for family and friends).  

Non-profit groups are always looking for help with their fundraisers and galas, and you’ll get the double benefit of helping a worthy cause while you hone your skills. This is also an excellent way to make contacts in the community to help you land a paying job when you are ready. 

You could also volunteer to organize events at your own workplace, if you have one. For example, if your company has a public relations department that is notoriously short-staffed, offer to help them out. The beauty of this plan is that you will be learning a new career while still being paid at your old job!  

4. Create a Portfolio 

A portfolio is a collection of samples of your work, plus any other documents that can show people why they should hire you. A portfolio helps you stand out from other applicants, and prove that you have the skills to do the job. Your portfolio might include pictures, recommendation letters and anything else that shows prospective clients and/or employers what you have done or can do. 

Material for your portfolio can come from any event you have organized (such as a family reunion, birthday bash, etc.) or from ideas and themes you have for future events.  Show your best work and don’t worry about giving away your great ideas.  People will believe you have many more brilliant ideas that you haven’t yet divulged.  

5.  Get Hired as an Event Planner

Getting hired as an event planner (even if you plan on opening your own event planning business) will give you invaluable contacts and referrals for the future. Meeting and convention planners are projected to have faster than average job growth in the coming years. This is good news for the industry and for you. 

Companies that hire event planners include hotels or resorts, non-profit organizations, convention centers, country clubs, and even fun destinations like theme parks!  

Some people work their way into a position as their company’s event planner just by volunteering to organize internal events such as company picnics and meetings. 

6.  Start Your Own Event Planning Business 

If the idea of being your own boss and earning up to $100,000 or more per year as an event planner sound appealing, it may be time to take the plunge and set up an event planning business.  Many event planners have home-based businesses, which makes this type of business inexpensive to start. With the wealth of information available on starting a business you should be able to get your own event planning business off the ground quite easily.  

When starting your own business, you should consider what types of events you want to plan. If you have a flair for the spectacular you may want to tackle proms, charity events and galas.  If you prefer planning corporate events, you may choose to plan meetings, conventions, and the like. 

TIP:  Unsure of what type of event you’d prefer to plan?  Consider interning or working for a number of companies whose specialties are quite different.  

7.  Develop Relationships with Vendors 

You’ve probably heard the adage “it’s not what you know but who you know”.   The most important relationships you will build as an event planner are with the vendors for your events. These are companies that supply products and services for events, such as caterers, florists, equipment rental companies, hotels, photographers, etc.  

Learn about each one’s business by conducting informational interviews and ask about discounts they can offer you.  Be polite and courteous with the owners and their staff and always follow up afterwards with some sort of acknowledgement or thank you. You can also arrange to have vendors refer clients to your event planning business.

Further Your Career

You can continue to learn and grow after you have become an event planner. One of the best ways to succeed as an event planner is to look upon every social occasion or event you attend as an opportunity to learn.  Make a mental note of what worked well and what bombed.  Attend tradeshows, read everything you can related to event planning, and watch for what’s hot.  Seek out the advice of trendsetters and don’t be afraid to try something a little different.  You may start a trend yourself.

 Click Here to Discover How to Become an Event Planner

Published with permission from FabJob.com. Visit www.FabJob.com to discover how to break into the career of your dreams.

Click Here to Discover How to Become an Event Planner by Jill Snodgrass

 
 Click Here to Discover How to Become a Bridal Shop Owner

 
 Click Here to Discover How to Become a Party Planner

 
 Click Here to Discover How to Become a Florist

Click Here to Discover How to Become a Caterer or Personal Chef

 
 Click Here to Discover How to The Ultimate Guide for Professional Organizers

Photo Wedding Invitations
Wedding Invitations
Engraved Wedding Invitations
Jean M® Wedding Invitations

Wedding Planning

The Knot Ultimate Wedding Planner: Worksheets, Checklists, Etiquette, Calendars, and Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

 Martha Stewart's Keepsake Wedding Planner

Easy Wedding Planning Plus, 5th Edition: The Most Comprehensive and Easy to Use Wedding Planner

The Complete Outdoor Wedding Planner: From Rustic Settings to Elegant Garden Parties, Everything You Need to Know to Make Your Day Special

Event Planning

Event Planning Made Easy: 7 Simple Steps to Making Your Business or Private Event a Huge Success from the Industry's Top Event Planners

Gala!: The Special Event Planner for Professionals and Volunteers (Capital Ideas)

Event Planning : The Ultimate Guide to Successful Meetings, Corporate Events, Fundraising Galas, Conferences, Conventions, Incentives and Other Special Events

 Meeting & Event Planning for Dummies

Product Search:

[AZ]

"9-Fun-Fun" offers a child-centered entertainment package featuring traveling puppet shows, musical performances by real-life firefighters, and group rides on a Dalmatian-spotted vintage fire truck.
Phoenix, Arizona
(623)-977-7326

[AR]

Designed Events, Inc. Special Occasion Rental
501 316-2600
7103 Samples ~ Suite 1
Benton, AR 72015
FAX 501 316-2600
Peggy Garrett ~ Fonda Beaty
Stacy Thomas ~ Terra Melton

[CA]

Andy Park Photography
Andy Park
Email: WedPhotogA@aol.com
720 Idylberry Rd
San Rafael, CA 94903
http://www.andypark.org/
Phone: (415) 507-9383
FAX: (415) 472-6185

Art Hammer Studios
http://www.art-hammer.com/
18014 Quail Cove Way
City of Industry, CA 91748
help@art-hammer.com

Brides and Beyond
Elegant Bridal Events held throughout Southern California
http://www.bridesandbeyond.com/
BridesandBeyond@aol.com

Party Painters
562-477-5228
Kim Lunning
www.partypainters.com

Princess and Lords
927 S. Danehurst Ave.
Glendora, CA 91740
Weddings; Quinceaneras; & Special Events
We are here to assist with all apsects of special event planning.  Recognized nationally as an authority on Hispanic Weddings & Quinceaneras.  www.princessandlords.com

Shared Memories
Wedding Resource Center featuring beautiful Online Albums. Over 250 links and 400+ San Diego wedding professionals.

Robert Starkey
Wedding DJ
San Diego
http://www.BeatToBeat.com

[TOP]

[CO]

Crystaline Photography & Multimedia, LLC
http://www.crystalinephoto.com
A Colorado based photography & videography team that specializes in weddings and events

Jeanine Thurston Fototails Imaging
3106 W 134th Court
Broomfield, CO 80020
Pre-design and custom packages for all event photography.
720-635-5054
jeanine@fototails.com
www.fototails.com

2 Sisters Photography 
http://www.2sistersphoto.com
Denver, CO
Distinctive wedding photojournalism.

Standard Issue
A jazz group providing music in the Denver area. Perform solo piano, jazz duo, trio, quartet or larger ensemble.
Contact Walter Deitchman at:
Cell Phone: 720.436.5580
Home Phone: 303.759.0364

[TOP]

[FL]

Blues Therapy & Jazz Band
Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Six piece band; lead guitar, bass guitar, sax, keyboard, drummer and vocalist. They play R&B, Jazz and have performed at various affairs, weddings, banquets, parties, & nite clubs. They have been very active in the South Florida area for 4 years.
Manager - Johnnie Riles
954-296-8558
www.bluestherapy.com
Contact Larraine
Agent - hispirit@bellsouth.net

Love and Light
Have you considered silk florals...they last forever and to help with your budget you can buy them little by little and still stay well within your goals...please contact me directly and I can email you pictures and prices.
Email: mystica457@cswebmail.com
Kissimmee, FL 34746
Association of Certified Professional Wedding Consultants (ACPWC), the Wedding Careers Institute, and the Association for Wedding Professionals International (AWPI).

Island Wedding Shop
IslandWeddingShop.com is another distinctive specialty shop from Cyber Island Shops, Inc.  This site features the most unique beach theme wedding and party favors under the sun.
Cyber Island Shops, Inc.
4600 Cecile Drive, Kissimmee, FL 34746  
Toll Free 1-888-9-SHELLS
http://www.islandweddingshop.com/

The Party Pixies (Party Planners)
Creating unique memorable events, we help with all your party needs, not just birthdays! We help with weddings, showers, graduations any celebration!
Lake Worth, Florida
561-967-0076
Email:  thepartypixies@aol.com

Onlocationprops
On-Location has been a reliable source of set and prop construction since the 1980's. Many unique props and sets can be built in our facility.
42 NW 9th Ave
Homestead FL 33030
Telephone 305 242 3000
FAX 786 243 1978
General Information: onlocprops@aol.com

Dimond Productions
South Florida Troupe specializing in Murder Mysteries & other Comedy Shows for Private & Corporate Events. Our professional actors will add excitement to any event!
http://dimondproductions.com events@dimondproductions.com 954-557-1482

Chicken and Noodles Entertainers
4819 ElCapistrano Drive
Tampa, FL  33634
813-886-3615

[TOP]

[GA]

A Simply Elegant Affair, LLC:
What do you get when you bring your event to A Simply Elegant Affair? A beautiful setting . First-class service and menus. An experienced event planner to see to every detail. It all adds up to an effortless, elegant event.
Telephone: (678) 545-0900
Outside Of Georgia:(800) 486-0030

[IA]

Specialty Cakes and More
712 N. 4th Street
Grimes, Iowa 50111
DiAnn Newmayer - Owner
515-986-4630
www.specialtycakes.net

[IL]

Dance Party DJs
http://www.dpdjs.com
Northern Illinois and Chicago’s premiere mobile Disc Jockey service. Established in 1982, we specialize in school dances, wedding receptions, corporate functions, anniversary parties, and other events.

[TOP]

[KS]

All Fired Up
7915 Santa Fe Drive
Old Overland Park
Overland Park, KS 66204
913-385-5456

Baber's Catering
Kansas City Metropolitan Area
Frank and Jennifer Baber
Office:  913 390-6040
Mobile:  816 797-8220

Camille's Fantasy Parties
Olathe, KS 66061
913-515-0248

Clique Limousine
Olathe, Kansas
913-538-5247
www.cliquelimokc.com

Diamond Gymnastics
7270 West 161st Street
Overland Park, KS 66085
913-851-7500

Emerald City Gymnastics and Bump City
9063 Bond
Overland Park, KS 66214
913-438-4444

The Fine Tooners
Caricature Artists / Face Painters / Airbrush Tattoo
Rt. 1 - Box 632
Butler, MO 64730
816-545-4257

Fun Services of Kansas City
7803 Meadowview Drive
Shawnee, Kansas 66227
913-441-9200 / 800-477-9119 / 913-441-6396 fax

Gretchen Cole Photography
Olathe, KS  66061
913-782-2378 gretchencole@comcast.net

Incred-A-Bowl
8500 W. 151st St.
Overland Park, KS 66223-2326
913-851-1700

Jeepers!
20070 W. 151st Street
Great Mall of the Great Plains
Olathe, KS 66061
913-393-3535

Kidspark
15296 W. 119th Street
(119th & Strang Line Road)
Olathe, KS 66062
913-390-1411

The Learning Tree
Corinth Square
4004 W. 83rd Street
Prairie Village, KS 66208
913-385-1234

Leawood Aquatic Center
10601 Lee Blvd
Leawood, Ks 66206
913-339-6700

Mad About Mosaics
6417 W. 119th Street
Overland Park, KS 66209
913-339-6680

MakesParties
Olathe, KS  66061
Whether it's a bridal shower, wedding decorations, reception, rehearsal dinner, bachelor or bachelorette parties, casual entertaining, or a corporate extravaganza.  All merchandise is delivered, UPS, directly to your location.

Midwest Aquatics
7565 W. 160th Street
Overland Park, KS 66085
913-402-0403

Mosaic and More
13250 W. 87th Street Parkway
Lenexa, KS 66215
913-492-8000

Mystic Golf
4711 Johnson Drive
(inside Mission Center Mall)
Mission, KS 66205
913-671-6776

Paint, Glaze and Fire
Metcalf 127 Shopping Center
12683 Metcalf
Overland Park, KS 66213
913-661-CLAY (2529)

PartyMerchant.com - Online theme party and birthday guide featuring Luau, Fiesta, Bowling, Pirate, Hollywood Award Parties and other great tips and party decorations.

Pump It Up
1485 S. Mahaffie Cir.
Olathe, KS 66062
913-764-PLAY (7529)

Rainforest Cafe
11327 West 95th Street
Overland Park, KS 66214
913-438-7676

Shear Madness
Fountains Shopping Center
119th & Lamar
6311 W. 119th Street
Overland Park, KS 66209
913-338-4747

Tabby McCarthy
Classic Occasions
913-780-4954 or 913-481-7577
classicoccasions@yahoo.com

The Cake Lady
Debra Tomicich
Custom cakes, specialty cookies, chocolates
845-642-3523
913-948-7748

Walls of Clay
6015 Johnson Drive
Misson, KS 66202
913-438-7623

Wonderscope Children's Museum
5705 Flint
Shawnee, KS 66203
913-268-8130

[TOP]

[KY]

Weddings Unlimited, Inc.
513-742-1645
Full service wedding planner serving Cincinnati and Northern KY area. Been in business since 1993. Member Association of Bridal Consultants and Ohio State Coordinator.   Specialize in ethnic, theme and destination weddings. Hourly & day of direction also an option.
joyce@weddingsunltd.com
http://www.weddingsunltd.com

[LA]

[MD]

"A Matter of Time & Convenience" / Meeting and Corporate Event Planning
Edgewater, MD
1-800-882-8551
www.timeandconvenience.com/

[MI]

MG Productions
Mobile DJ
South East Michigan
313-336-3203
http://www.mgp-dj.com/

[MN]

All Time Favorites
Eagan, MN   55121
We provide Entertainment Options in Minnesota and Nationwide.
Wedding services locally in Minnesota, USA.
Corporate and Convention Services Nationwide.
Corporate event planning help - wedding planning, DJs, bands, entertainers, event planners, caterers nationwide.

Carlson Craft
Mankato, MN
Professional printing company.  Personalized wedding invitations, Bridal accessories programs, stemware, albums, seal and send invitations, African-American themes, Multi-language printing & shipping  internationally.  Personalized printing birth announcements, business cards, letterhead, pens, mugs, & gifts.  Promotional printing for businesses, churches, schools, sports teams.

[TOP]

[MO]

All Points Amusement
3117 Gillham Road
Kansas City, MO 64109
http://www.allpointsamusement.com/
Toll-Free: 1.800.207.5757 / Office: 816.753.5700 / Fax: 816.561.2886

All Seasons Tent Rental
12416 Grandview Rd.
Grandview MO   64030
Service and equipment in the rental industry. We have all the standard tent styles as well as all of the unique and contemporary styles.
Phone 816-765-1444 
Email - rent@allseasonstentrental.com

Baber's Catering
Kansas City Metropolitan Area
Frank and Jennifer Baber
Office:  913 390-6040
Mobile:  816 797-8220

Bridal Cave / Romantic wedding in the heart of Lake of the Ozards. Unique stalactite adorned natural Bridal Chapel.
Reservations:
www.bridalcave.com
email: info@bridalcave.com
573-346-2676

Brancato's Catering

12416 Grandview Rd

Grandview, MO 64030

Telephone: 

816.765.4707 / 800.475.1444 (Outside of Kansas City Metro area)

Email: Sales@brancatoscatering.com

Dottie Mae's Costumes
8308 Wornall
Kansas City, MO  64114
816.361.1505

Donna's Bridal and Formal Wear
Complete wedding wardrobe, bridesmaids, tuxedos. On site alterations.   816-746-6900

The Emporium / Smaller traditional weddings/receptions.
316 Main
Belton, MO
816-305-8161
816-318-4600

Fun Services - St. Peters Location
2115 Parkway Drive, Suite B
St. Peters, Missouri 63376
636-939-0030 / 800-477-9119 / 636-939-3575 fax

Kaplan's Fabrics
Bridal and special occasion fabrics.  On the Country Club Plaza since 1948.
816-531-4818

Linens Express
www.rentallinens.com

12416 Grandview Rd

Grandview, MO 64030
Telephone: 

816.765.1444

800.475.1444

Longview Mansion
Kansas City's premier estate for wedding and special events
www.longviewmansion.com
816-761-6669

Pilgrim Chapel
Kansas City's Historic Public Chapel
816-531-5002

Power's Entertainment
6329 Red Bard Road
Osage Beach, MO 65065
573-348-1224
www.powersentertainment.com

Savannahland Educational Park
1601 S. Lake Rd.
Pleasant Hill, MO 64080

Twenty 20
Restaurant and catering - private facilities 20 -100 people
2020 Baltimore
In historic Freight District
816-471-2020

Union Hill Veterans Hall Rental
Wedding reception, party, business meeting, holiday gathering -- whatever the special occasion, the Union Hill Veterans Hall will meet your needs for 150 to 200 guests.
3027 Walnut St.
Kansas City, MO

Warren's Wedding Photo's
816-694-3656  /  816-322-9644

[TOP]

[NJ]

Creative Faces - We are professional artist that specialize in face painting, henna tattoo, body art and theatrical art for parties. We also paint furniture and murals for childrens rooms , ect. We are located in Bucks County PA and NJ

MBA Online Services, LLC
Michael Donaway
Email: mdonaway@booklivemusic.com
We can also be reached at:
PO Box 776
Green Brook, NJ 08812-0776
Phone: (732) 926-0539
FAX: (732) 926-0597

Tea 4 Tots
Exquisite Children's Tea Parties
All of southern NJ
www.Tea4Tots.net

WedAlert.com, "Your Wedding Planning Just Got Easier." Listen to hundreds of wedding songs. Find local wedding professionals, articles, and much more. Visit now for your chance to win a free honeymoon.

[TOP]

[NY]

AVALON Nightclub
Hunk-O-Mania, New York City's hottest destination for bachelorette parties
662 6th Ave. NY, NY  (Corner of 20th Street, NYC)
http://www.usahunk.com/

Best Of Horses
YourArt, Inc.
P.O. Box 681
Floral Park, NY 11001 USA
www.bestofhorses.com

The New York Fun Factory www.nyfunfactory.com
270L Duffy Avenue
Hicksville, NY 11801
T: 212.686.0941 / F:516.681.3782
sarah@nyfunfactory.com

JZphoto
Joshua Zuckerman
Email: email@jzphoto.com
We can also be reached at:
69 W 9th St #6C
New York, NY 10011
http://www.jzweddings.com/
Phone: (212) 228-7584

Party Cloths of New York
Our goal at Party Cloths is to create the magic in every event.
We are a full service table linen rental company/manufacturer. At your convenience, please take a look at our website:
http://www.partyclothsnewyork.com
Susan Hirschorn
516-746-5433
888-232-7156
Fax 516-746-5852

PartyMerchant.- MakesParties
Bride and Groom accessories.  Online Novelty and Party Store serving the USA and International customers. 

PrestigEvents, Inc. - Corporate Planningg
Our mission is to deliver high-impact events that bring excitement to your audience and leave a lasting impression. It is our passion for making your event a reality that drives us to create experiences for various audiences and corporate objectives.
200 W. 58th Street, Suite 10C
New York, NY 10019
Phone: 212.397.9248
Fax: 253.390.0620
info@prestigevents.com

New York Best Bridal Sites - Wedding Directory

Wedding Photojournalist Association (WPJA)
http://www.WPJA.com

[NC]

Mysteries and More
Murder mystery games
Hope Knott
54 N. Big Oak Dr.
Fletcher, NC 28732
1-888-346-0777
www.murdermysterygames.com

[TOP]

[NV]

Party Cake The Gourmet Cake Factory
4300 W Spring Mountain Rd.
Las Vegas, NV 89102
www.tgcf.com
Las Vegas, Summerlin, Green Valley and Henderson, Nevada.