Event planning as a business idea can cover many different niches including parties, conferences, meetings, weddings, holiday events and more.
Do you think you might have what it takes to build a successful business in this area?
Well - do you like to party? Are you organized, creative, and almost unflappable?
Are you on a first-name basis with the folks at the party-supplies store?
Do you know who the best caterers are in town, the most elegant halls, and the most vibrant entertainers?
If so, event planning may be just the business idea you have been looking for.
What does an Event Planner do?
Again, many different specialties fall under the general category of “event planner”.
What, specifically, you do will depend on your own experience and interests, as well as the demands of your local market. You can choose to specialize in one or more of these:
1) Special Events: This would involve organizing and promoting such things as fundraisers for local charities, grand opening for businesses, gala dinner-dances, awards ceremonies, and the like.
You will need to be highly organized, and have a good grasp of marketing as well. Frequently the sponsors of these events will want you to handle publicity, as well as organize the event itself.
2) Conference/Meeting Planner: You will work with businesses and organizations of all sizes to plan conferences, retreats, and business meetings.
You'll need to have good negotiation skills in order to get the best possible rates at the conference centers or hotels, as well as knowledge of the travel industry (or contacts who are travel agents) in order to arrange cost-effective travel and transportation.
3) Party Planner: One day you could be helping plan a birthday party for a six-year-old; the next, you could be working on a 50th anniversary; the day after that, a baby shower.
You will need a lot of creativity to come up with innovative and original party themes, as well as cost-effective decorations, food, and entertainment.
4) Wedding Planner: Whatever you do, make sure you get them to the church on time! Help couples (and their parents) have lovely memories of this very important event. Make sure the rehearsal dinner, wedding ceremony, and reception go off without a hitch.
You'll need to be a Jill-of-all-trades, as you'll have to locate venues, obtain or make decorations, hire a caterer, book entertainment...you name it. You might even be called upon to help with travel and lodging arrangements for the honeymoon or for out-of-town guests.
Evaluating your Event Planning Skills
Planning any type of gathering takes a certain degree of dedication. You have to begin the event planning process with the intention that you will see it through to the end.
Event planning is a busy and sometimes fun process. Depending on the event, you may get to pick everything from what the main course is to when the last drink will be served.
For people who love handling small details, event planning is an enjoyable process.
However, for those people who wince at even the mere mention of choosing what to have for dinner, they might not excel in the event planning department.
Easy Steps That Ensure Success
If you've ever planned or hosted an event you know how overwhelming it can be.
Attending to every small detail can leave you wishing the party were over before it even began.
This is even more magnified if you are overseeing a large event such as a wedding or a dinner party for business associates.
Something always seems to go wrong and it leaves the person in charge of event planning carrying the burden of the blame.
There are steps people can take to guarantee that the party will be a roaring success. One of those steps is to hire YOU... an event planner.
All you do is have the client explain the event to you, including their preferences, when they wish to have the event, the theme of it and the menu and you will handle the rest.
With your experience, you can create exactly the type of gathering that they envision.
Here are a few ideas to help in the planning:
* Keep an ongoing list. Plan the event by writing down everything you need to do. As you complete those tasks, strike them off the list and add new ones as needed.
* Ensure the theme is appropriate for all guests. It might be difficult for some people to rent or purchase special outfits for a theme party (unless you have a contact with a local costume shop), so try to ensure it's something that is accessible and affordable for every guest.
* Send out invitations well in advance. Life is busy for many people, and giving them sufficient notice will enable them to handle any arrangements they need to make, such as child care.
* Review the menu to ensure that it isn't too exotic. Although many people welcome new tastes, it's often more appropriate to offer menu items that all guests are familiar with, this way they won't be concerned about possible food allergies or digestive problems.
How Can I Learn More?
This is one of those small business ideas that requires a good foundation of information and research to get going.
FabJob Guides are nationally known complete business and job starting guides that have been featured in many well known magazines, and even in movies and television shows.
The next thing you might want to do is check out various organizations.
ISES offers local chapter, regional and national meetings and conventions; educational opportunities; a certification program (Certified Special Events Professional); plus networking and leadership opportunities and Special Events Magazine.
The International Society of Meeting Planners boasts members in over 90 countries. They offer a quarterly newsletter, discounts on meeting and event planning related products and small business services, and a listing in their vendor directory.
They sponsor five professional designations: Registered Meeting Planner (RMP), Certified Event Planner (CEP), Certified Entertainment Managers (CEM), Certified Destination Specialist (CDS), and Incentive Travel Specialist (ITS).
