Event planning is vast, and one-person event management professionals can be just as important as large companies. Clients need people who can prove their skills and have a detail-oriented personality and adaptability to manage their events. Even if you don’t have event planning experience, you can find plenty of opportunities to start your dream career.
In this article, we look at some techniques to get your first client, build a portfolio and even start your own event planning business.
How to get into event planning with no experience
Here are 12 strategies to help grow your new event management career, find your first clients and increase your experience:
1. Get an education
Consider pursuing an education in event planning or a similar field. Professional event managers have widely differing degrees that all teach necessary skills for a future in event planning. Some relevant college degrees include:
- Hotel and restaurant management: A degree in this field allows you to learn essential aspects of running large-scale events, best practices for guest management, and an introduction to the catering industry.
- Marketing: Any large event is going to need a strong marketer in charge, one who can attract guests, organize promotional events and maintain consistent messaging.
- Public relations: A public relations professional serves as the liaison between the public and an organization, and they are often highly involved in marketing and developing events that bring the organization greater public awareness. This degree would offer practical skills in people management, leadership, attracting the public and working with subcontractors to develop business relationships—all essential skills for an event management professional.
A degree could increase your marketability and demonstrate proof of important skills.
2. Earn professional certifications
Your local university might also offer classes and professional certifications in event planning. Apart from your local university or college, you can pursue other professional certifications like these:
- Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) is developed by the Convention Industry Council (CIC)
- Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP) is suggested by the International Live Events Association (ILEA)
- Certified in Exhibition Management (CEM) is run by the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE)
3. Find your niche
Finding your niche means determining the part of event planning you want to specialize in. Since event planning is a diverse field, featuring everything from stockholders’ retreats to fundraisers and children’s birthday parties, you can specialize in nearly any type of event. Be flexible enough to work with any client, especially when you are starting, but focus on your own strengths and interests in the field so you can develop expertise in particular areas. To find your niche, identity events you enjoy coordinating the most and tailor your search for experience around those events.
Having a niche can increase your marketability since proven interest and passion for a type of event can attract businesses or organizations looking for the best planner for that type of event. For example, if you care most about corporate retreat planning, make sure your experience and portfolio present you as the optimal choice in retreat management.
4. Engage online through social media
Join online groups to find other aspiring event planning professionals and more experienced planners. And, with many events being planned online, an active and successful online network can help you appear more marketable to employers looking for digital expertise.
5. Attend local events
Local events, whether they are fundraisers or corporate events, offer an extraordinary opportunity to observe and learn about event planning. Going to an event as a guest can give you a unique viewpoint into logistics and guest experience. Attend some functions, and note how the events are structured, how space is used and the vendors and resources the planner uses. You can also introduce yourself to the event planners to ask them questions about their approach and gain relevant contacts in the industry.
6. Research industry leaders
Once you’re more familiar with the event planning scene, research the most influential industry leaders in the industry and discover some of their experience and qualifications. If you meet people at local events with connections to larger companies, contact these people about opportunities to meet their contacts. Researching industry leaders can give you names and businesses to reach out to and offer an opportunity to volunteer or become involved with well-known event planners and learn their methods.
7. Find a mentor
A mentor is a more experienced individual who can help guide you in your career and aspirations. As you network, research and attend local functions, be on the lookout for event planning professionals with qualifications and abilities you admire. Consider asking them to mentor you in your growing event planning career.
Whenever you meet with a mentor, be respectful of their time and listen to their experience and advice. They might be able to offer you unique connections, training and access to resources.