Difference between revisions of "Become a Certified Event Planner"
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#*The types of events include weddings, fashion shows, corporate sponsorship events, diplomatic events, celebrity parties, [[Network at a Conference|conferences]], fundraisers, openings and Open Days, sports events (for example racing cars and horses, football, tennis, etc.), business and product launches, travel accommodation, birthdays, anniversaries and celebrations of people and companies, commemorations, government sponsored events, etc. It is also expected that you will be able to organize any type of meeting. | #*The types of events include weddings, fashion shows, corporate sponsorship events, diplomatic events, celebrity parties, [[Network at a Conference|conferences]], fundraisers, openings and Open Days, sports events (for example racing cars and horses, football, tennis, etc.), business and product launches, travel accommodation, birthdays, anniversaries and celebrations of people and companies, commemorations, government sponsored events, etc. It is also expected that you will be able to organize any type of meeting. | ||
#*Determine whether you're willing to [[Move Cross Country|travel across the country]] or you move to a different city. Certain types of event planning are more prevalent in certain places. For example, if you live in a big sports town, you may want to become a sports event planner. | #*Determine whether you're willing to [[Move Cross Country|travel across the country]] or you move to a different city. Certain types of event planning are more prevalent in certain places. For example, if you live in a big sports town, you may want to become a sports event planner. | ||
| − | #Go to trade shows and conferences. These are industry gatherings run by national and international organizations featuring information on even planning as a career. Trade shows and conferences are excellent places to talk to professionals on the pros and cons of the industry. This is a great way to figure out what type of event planning will be a good fit for you.<ref>http://www.conventionplanit.com/savedate_n.php</ref> | + | #Go to trade shows and conferences. These are industry gatherings run by national and international organizations featuring information on even planning as a career. Trade shows and conferences are excellent places to talk to professionals on the pros and cons of the industry. This is a great way to figure out what type of event planning will be a good fit for you.<ref name="rf18286">http://www.conventionplanit.com/savedate_n.php</ref> |
#Understand an event planner's duties. Make sure you know exactly what’s involved in this highly specialized line of work before you invest in education and training. Duties include locating sites for events, working with [[Become a Caterer|caterers]], entertainers and decorators, creating lists of attendees, designing invitations, supervising mailings, managing technology, and making special accommodations for guests when necessary. | #Understand an event planner's duties. Make sure you know exactly what’s involved in this highly specialized line of work before you invest in education and training. Duties include locating sites for events, working with [[Become a Caterer|caterers]], entertainers and decorators, creating lists of attendees, designing invitations, supervising mailings, managing technology, and making special accommodations for guests when necessary. | ||
#*You'll be expected to do all the research and footwork for your clients. The ability to use technology and networking for this purpose is essential; while you can question your client for some of the information, often the client won't know and doesn't have the time to fill you in on what's essentially your duty anyway. | #*You'll be expected to do all the research and footwork for your clients. The ability to use technology and networking for this purpose is essential; while you can question your client for some of the information, often the client won't know and doesn't have the time to fill you in on what's essentially your duty anyway. | ||
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=== Getting Certified and Working as an Event Planner=== | === Getting Certified and Working as an Event Planner=== | ||
#Complete a certification program with a reputable event planning association. Contact the various trade organizations associated with the event planning industry, such as Meeting Professionals International (MPI), the International Special Events Society (ISES), the Convention Industry Council (CIC), or the Society of Government Meeting Professionals for assistance. Each organization will have different requirements for certification, but most will require that you have a certain number of years of experience, have completed a training program, and have passed certification exams. | #Complete a certification program with a reputable event planning association. Contact the various trade organizations associated with the event planning industry, such as Meeting Professionals International (MPI), the International Special Events Society (ISES), the Convention Industry Council (CIC), or the Society of Government Meeting Professionals for assistance. Each organization will have different requirements for certification, but most will require that you have a certain number of years of experience, have completed a training program, and have passed certification exams. | ||
| − | #*Note the difference between "certification" and "certificate". While it is possible to get a certificate in event planning from training, it is not possible to get certification from a school. The difference is this: a certificate is the paper you're given by a school at the completion of a program relevant to the field of event planning. A certification, on the other hand, is a professional designation given by a trade organization and it will only be obtained after you have a proven track record of professional experience and have successfully passed the organization's tests.<ref>http://www.indeed.com/forum/job/event-planner/Becoming-Certified/t28355</ref> | + | #*Note the difference between "certification" and "certificate". While it is possible to get a certificate in event planning from training, it is not possible to get certification from a school. The difference is this: a certificate is the paper you're given by a school at the completion of a program relevant to the field of event planning. A certification, on the other hand, is a professional designation given by a trade organization and it will only be obtained after you have a proven track record of professional experience and have successfully passed the organization's tests.<ref name="rf18287">http://www.indeed.com/forum/job/event-planner/Becoming-Certified/t28355</ref> |
#*Each program varies in the level of professional experience required, so you'll need to contact the organizations individually to find out if you meet the requirements; if not, keep working until you meet the requirements, as the certification will definitely improve your reputation within the industry. | #*Each program varies in the level of professional experience required, so you'll need to contact the organizations individually to find out if you meet the requirements; if not, keep working until you meet the requirements, as the certification will definitely improve your reputation within the industry. | ||
| − | #*The most recognized certifications are those offered by the Certified Special Event Professional (CSEP) offered by ISES; the Certified Meeting Professional (CIC), and the Certified Meeting Planner (MPI).<ref | + | #*The most recognized certifications are those offered by the Certified Special Event Professional (CSEP) offered by ISES; the Certified Meeting Professional (CIC), and the Certified Meeting Planner (MPI).<ref name="rf18287" /> |
#*If you are aiming to be very specific in the type of event planning that you're doing, get certified by specific trade organizations, such as the Association of Bridal Consultants and Weddings Beautiful Worldwide if you're planning to be solely a [[Plan Your Wedding|wedding planner]]. The specific organizations are likely to be of more assistance when you are tailoring your event planning services narrowly. | #*If you are aiming to be very specific in the type of event planning that you're doing, get certified by specific trade organizations, such as the Association of Bridal Consultants and Weddings Beautiful Worldwide if you're planning to be solely a [[Plan Your Wedding|wedding planner]]. The specific organizations are likely to be of more assistance when you are tailoring your event planning services narrowly. | ||
#Become a member of a relevant trade organization. The benefit of belonging to trade organizations is the fact that you'll meet many contacts and find job opportunities through networking and resources only available to members. If you are or have been a student in a recognized event planning course, ask about possible membership discounts, as memberships can be pricey when you're first starting out. | #Become a member of a relevant trade organization. The benefit of belonging to trade organizations is the fact that you'll meet many contacts and find job opportunities through networking and resources only available to members. If you are or have been a student in a recognized event planning course, ask about possible membership discounts, as memberships can be pricey when you're first starting out. | ||
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*Get help choosing a legitimate formal event planning study program. Check with Meeting Professionals International before enrolling in any formal program. They can tell you whether the program offers the kind of education and training you’ll need to become certified. | *Get help choosing a legitimate formal event planning study program. Check with Meeting Professionals International before enrolling in any formal program. They can tell you whether the program offers the kind of education and training you’ll need to become certified. | ||
*It can be very helpful to be bilingual, such as having Spanish and English. If you are planning for diplomatic events, even more languages is a great advantage. | *It can be very helpful to be bilingual, such as having Spanish and English. If you are planning for diplomatic events, even more languages is a great advantage. | ||
| − | *The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has suggested that planners with degrees and certification will do better than those without professional credentials.<ref>Bureau of Labor Statistics, http://www.bls.gov</ref> The BLS found that the median annual salary for event and meeting planners in 2008 was $44,260, with those being paid the most living in areas with large concentrations of business and government, such as New York and the District of Columbia and Maryland. | + | *The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has suggested that planners with degrees and certification will do better than those without professional credentials.<ref name="rf18288">Bureau of Labor Statistics, http://www.bls.gov</ref> The BLS found that the median annual salary for event and meeting planners in 2008 was $44,260, with those being paid the most living in areas with large concentrations of business and government, such as New York and the District of Columbia and Maryland. |
== Warnings == | == Warnings == | ||
