Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners Career
This profession requires a
bachelor’s degree and a combination of good personal traits to keep you
up on the ladder of success. If you like to organize college events,
then do consider it seriously to take it up as career, as this gives you
a lucrative earning opportunity.
Event planners travel regularly
to attend events they organize and to visit prospective meeting sites,
sometimes in exotic locations around the world. Planners regularly
collaborate with clients, hospitality workers, and meeting attendees.
The
work of meeting, convention, and event planners can be fast-paced and
demanding. Planners oversee many aspects of the event at the same time,
face numerous deadlines, and orchestrate the activities of several
different groups of people.
You can work in different settings as meeting, convention, and event planners, some of them are listed below:
- Association planners organize annual conferences and trade shows for professional associations.
- Corporate planners organize business meetings, usually under tight deadlines.
- Government meeting planners organize meetings for government officials and agencies.
- Convention
service managers help organize major events as employees of hotels and
convention centers.
- Event planners arrange the details of a variety of events, including weddings and large parties.
Role of Event Planner
- Review event bills for accuracy, and approve payment.
- Evaluate and select providers of services according to customer requirements.
- Meet clients to understand the purpose of the meeting or event.
- Plan the scope of the event, including time, location, program, and cost.
- Work with the client to choose where to hold the event and whom to contract with for services.
- Inspect places to ensure they meet the client's requirements.
- Coordinate event services such as rooms, transportation, and food service.
- Confer with on-site staff to coordinate details.
- Monitor event activities to ensure the client and event attendees are satisfied.
- Review event bills and approve payment.
Skills of Event Planner
Customer-service
skills: Planners should act professionally and must understand their
clients’ needs so that customers are satisfied.
Communication
skills: Meeting, convention, and event planners must have excellent
written and oral communication skills and be able to convey the needs of
their clients effectively.
Computer skills: Planners must be familiar with computers, database software, budgets, and online social media.
Interpersonal skills: Planners must be good at establishing and maintaining positive relationships with clients and suppliers.
Negotiation skills: Planners must be able to negotiate service contracts that get the best prices for their clients.
Organizational
skills: To provide high quality meetings, planners must be
detail-oriented, good at multitasking, and able to meet tight deadlines.
Problem-solving skills: When problems arise, planners must be able to come up with creative solutions that satisfy clients.
Work Schedules of Event Planners
Meeting,
convention, and event planners work full time and many are required to
work long, irregular hours in the time leading up to a major event.
During meetings or conventions, planners may work very long days,
starting early in the morning and working late into the evening.
Sometimes, they must work on weekends.
Some Job Titles:
Convention
Services Manager (CSM), Conference Planning Manager, Conference
Services Manager, Catering Manager, Events Manager, Conference Planner,
Director of Conference Services, Conference Manager, Director of Events,
Event Manager
Where to Study
To work as Event Planner you need a minimum of bachelor's degree. However in some colleges you may also find programmes like Meeting and Event Planning. Higher qualification is an advantage. To find a programme go to
University Hub.
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