If you’ve ever thrown a party, you know the hard work it takes to pull it off. But after, there’s an incredible feeling from knowing you were responsible for so many people having a great time. And you can’t wait to throw the next one.
If that sounds like you, then it’s time to think about a career in event planning.
What is event planning?
It’s the professional art of throwing successful parties and events. The know-how to develop and manage conventions, trade shows and large-scale events is one of the most in-demand skillsets across every industry.
An event planner develops themes, chooses venues, handles negotiations, plans refreshment, schedules entertainment, manages logistics, and does anything else that needs doing. Whether they’re planning corporate parties, weddings, conferences or award shows, event planners need to be organized, creative, and resilient.
Thinking of becoming an event planner in Toronto or other cities? Here’s 5 careers that might be perfect for you.
Conference Planner
A conference planner, or a corporate event coordinator, finds appropriate venues large enough to hold an event. They also help with scheduling and ensuring the event has everything it needs to stay on track. They’ll often book airfare and hotel accommodations for attendees, and even line up options for entertainment outside of the conference.
In the case of high-security events, conference planners may coordinate with local law enforcement and other authorities to keep locations secure.
Convention Coordinator
Large-scale events like conventions can range from upscale gatherings for investors and stockholders, to public events like science fiction, horror, comic book and car conventions.
An event coordinator needs to know the convention and its location inside and out: entrances and exits, floorplans and crowd flow, scheduling and security, refreshment and first aid stands, and even where to find more power for vendor booths.
Event Planner
These are the kinds of planners who do it all. They’re a jack of all trades in the planning industry, handling small conferences all the way up to high-end galas.
Event coordinators need to be on the ball, handling staffing agencies, caterers, decorators, guest lists, entertainers, and scheduling. They’re on-site for the entire event, handling any conflict or drama that pops up. Their breadth of knowledge and versatility makes them respected and invaluable experts.
Special Events Organizer
These kinds of planners cater to specific groups, like the music and entertainment industries, high society organizations, and serious fan groups. These groups want spectacle and perfection, and it takes a special insight to know what they want.
Award shows, exclusive lunches, fundraising galas, film festivals, and sporting events are just a few of the kinds of events you can create and manage in this career.
Trade Show Planner
Trade shows are all about the opportunity for businesses to meet new clients or partners and build brand awareness within their own industry.
Being an event planner for trade shows brings together skills from the entire spectrum of event planning. You’ll market and outreach to potential vendors, create floor plans, and negotiate for booth space. You’ll ensure that vendors have ample power and time to set up, manage disputes or scheduling conflicts, and potentially handle flights and accommodations for high profile guests.
Pursue the event coordinator career that’s perfect for you with the Academy of Learning College.
The Conference and Event Planner diploma at Albion College will help you develop the skills and insight necessary to lead or assist in the planning and execution of conferences and events across a wide variety of industries.
Contact us today to learn how you can be ready for an event planning career in less than a year.
