Starting An Event Planning Business
Over the past decade the event planning industry has grown enormously. According to Certified Special Events Professional Dr. Joe Goldblatt, special events spending is $500 billion worldwide each year. Dr. Goldblatt is the founding director of the Event Management Program at George Washington University, founding father of the International Special Events Society (ISES), and he co-wrote ‘The International Dictionary of Event Management’.
Goldblatt says that the market for event planning is so large that it will sustain any event planning endeavor no matter the size or direction. ‘If you’re working in one special events area, there are many directions in which you can expand. If you’re just entering the profession of special events, there’s a lucrative market awaiting you on many fronts, says Goldblatt.
What exactly is event planning? Professional event planners may handle any or all of the following tasks:
- Create an event layout in terms of space as well as schedule
- Conduct research
- Find a suitable site for the event
- Arrange décor, entertainment and food
- Send invitations to participants
- Plan transportation to and from the event
- Arrange necessary accommodations for participants
- Supervise at the event site
- Coordinate the duties and activities of event personnel
- Conduct evaluations of the event
Many event planners get their start as service providers for one particular area of events before becoming planners of entire events. For this reason, many event planning businesses provide one or more event services in addition to planning services.
You may wish to consider getting a degree or certificate in event planning or event management. You can work toward becoming a Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP) or a Certified Meeting Planner (CMP). Many businesses as well as some members of the general public look for these designations when choosing an event planning business.
