Careers in Event Planning

If you're searching for your an event job for the first time, it's important to understand just how large this industry is before you begin your search. Here's what you need to know.

What advice or tips would you offer to someone who is just starting out when it comes to structuring their event planning contracts and fees?

social media, client buy-in, sustainability and professional development are among the top issues facing event and meeting planners in 2010 and beyond.

The event planning industry has experienced tremendous change since the recession. Hundreds of thousands of positions have gone away, and unemployment rates are high. The employment situation in the hospitality and leisure industry impacts business events and event planning significantly. Learn more about the employment situation for event planning and hospitality.

For those interested in learning more about meeting and event industry magazines, MPI produces a monthly events magazine that's worth receiving.

And it may be good news to some to hear that meeting professionals increased their compensation by $3,000 vs. 2006, bringing the average salary to nearly $70,000, according to recent survey by PCMA.

Some people are interested in taking their event and meeting planning experience to the next level by starting their own event planning business. This is an exciting idea, but it takes more than the desire to plan weddings, seminars or golf outings. Learn more about how to approach creating your event planning business and some of the...

Whether you've been working in the business for a while or just starting out, some consider it a dream job to start their own event planning business. But how do many event planners structure tehir fees for services? Check out these five ways to collect fees as an event planner.

For those who are interested in pursuing an event planning career, there are thousands of listed event planning jobs. Check out htese postings from a variety of job listings from major job boards, newspapers, associations and company career pages.

Event planners should create a network of suppliers such as destination management companies, event photographers, stationery shops, chocolatiers and more. The right team will create incredible events and make the event planner look great in the eyes of the client.

The CMP designation helps event planners distinguish their credentials and expertise in planning and executing professional events.

Event jobs can be found throughout most corporate organizations. This list will provide you with information about various departments within businesses that include jobs with event planning responsibilities.

The Convention Industry Council's 32 member organizations represent more than 103,500 individuals, as well as, 17,300 firms and properties involved in the meetings, conventions and exhibitions industries. The CIC offers its members many tools and programs designed to support the industry and meet its challenges, facilitate the exchange of information and ideas, and ensure its credibility and high standards of quality.

An event planner identifies venues for potential programs, reviewing proposals, negotiates discounts, determines food and beverage needs, incorporates transportation needs, and makes overall recommendations for their event programs.

Anyone interested in working in event planning should understand the various types of potential employers in this field. Opportunities exist corporations, associations/non-profit organizations, government agencies, event planning suppliers, and event planning firms.

If you're searching for a career in event planning, check out this listing of job boards on industry web sites.

What is the national average salary for an event planner, including base pay, bonus and other benefits? What responsibilities are expected of an event planner?

Okay, so a reality show really doesn't fall into the category of "event planning careers," but young, aspiring planners may confuse the show with the real experience. For those interested in a critique of the obvious mistakes that constantly take place on the Party Monsters Cabo set, read on for your enjoyment. For serious event planning...

The Convention Industry Council established the Certified Meeting Planner (CMP) designation in 1985 to recognize those who have achieved the industry's highest standard of professionalism. Several of the industry's leading association's have established preparation programs through local chapters to prepare for this exam.

Meeting and event jobs are challenging and rewarding. But this is a competitive industry. Dawn Penfold, president of Meetingsjobs.com, offers 10 tips to recession-proof your resume.

Event planners come from many different backgrounds. Share your story about how you became an event planner, and read stories about how others became event planners. See submissions

Meeting and event professionals are increasingly being asked to measure the impact of their programs, and adopt strategic management concepts. Ultimately, it helps to ensure the success of events and achieve bottom line results. Steve O'Malley of Maxavantage offers 10 tips for a strategic meetings management program.

Planners are increasingly being expected to prove the the value of meetings and events to executive level management decision makers. Learn six ways you can achieve this.

For those who are interested in distinguishing themselves in a catering career, perhaps this is a good time to consider obtaining professional certification. The CPCE demonstrates competencies for catering managers and executives, and is administered by the National Association of Catering Executives. Learn more.

Catering and banquets provide a significant number of job opportunities for those interested in opportunities in the events industry. Learn what salary you can expect to earn as a caterer and what it takes.

Interested in serving the event planning industry through a career in catering? Perhaps the greatest number of event-related job opportunities are found in the food service sector. Whether you're searching for a job as a chef, catering coordinator or catering management, find your opportunities here.