What Does an Event Planner Do? A Comprehensive Guide

Event planners are responsible for planning, managing and organizing sensational events in the most efficient and cost-effective manner. They work closely with their customers during the planning process to closely manage all aspects of the event. Event planners are tasked with creating experiences and bringing visions to life, and they must be experts in juggling many tasks. From idea conception, preparations and day logistics, to finding locations, requesting bids, managing supplier relationships and customer communications, creating and negotiating contracts, and managing budgets - event planners must ensure that everything related to an event is taken care of.

In general, it is their job to ensure that the customer or company can focus on the conference, meeting, seminar or other event in question, while covering the details. Event planners may vary depending on the company and industry in which they work. They are responsible for planning, organizing, managing and coordinating various types of events. This includes conceptualizing thematic ideas, planning budgets, booking venues, liaising with suppliers and customers, managing logistics and reporting after the event.

Business Perspective Event planning involves soliciting on-site bids, ensuring quality products and services, negotiating and verifying service contracts, reviewing event invoices, approving payments, and other related tasks. Although you don't need a specific degree to become an event manager, a degree or HND in event management, hotel or catering management, leisure and tourism, marketing or business may be useful.

It is not unusual for event planners to be asked to create calm in the midst of potential chaos and to appear unswervingly as if chaos had never been a possibility. Education and training requirements vary for event planners by area of expertise. This may include weddings and other personal events, as well as business meetings, conventions, and conferences.

Review sample resumes and cover letters for event planners to ensure you have an edge in the competition. Event planners often manage all logistics on-site, leading them to work long hours and non-traditional hours. In addition, the best event planners have strong organizational, budgetary and time management skills.

Start by searching for job sites specific to the event planning industry such as the International Live Events Association Career Center and Meeting Professionals International Career Center. Some may gain related experience working in a hotel or other hotel business before becoming event organizers.