Online Class: Special Events Planning

Mastering the Craft of Special Event Planning

Imagine walking into a mesmerizing gala, the hall adorned with ethereal lights, the tables set impeccably, and the stage set for a keynote speaker. Or perhaps, recollect the last wedding you attended, with its flawless execution and heartwarming touches. Behind all this enchantment and precision, orchestrating every detail, stands the event planner. This unsung hero is responsible for crafting memories, and ensuring that from significant aspects like stage arrangements to minute details like the exact number of cutlery sets, everything is perfect.

As of 2023, the event planning industry has witnessed substantial growth. According to recent statistics, the global events industry is expected to reach a staggering value of over $1,550 billion by 2028. With such a promising outlook, diving into the intricacies of this field has never been more enticing.

This comprehensive course demystifies the vibrant world of special event planning. Providing an unparalleled behind-the-scenes glimpse, it sheds light on an often-overlooked but crucial profession. Whether you're aspiring to orchestrate large-scale corporate events, intimate weddings, or even niche gatherings like book launches, this course is your blueprint to success.

For instance, let's consider Lesson 9, dedicated to corporate events. Here, you'll explore real-world examples such as product launches for tech giants like Apple or Google. Delve into how planners meticulously manage guest lists comprising global media, industry influencers, and stakeholders. Understand how venue choice can reflect brand identity, and how an event's theme can enhance product messaging.

Considering a career pivot? This course is tailored not just for beginners but also for seasoned professionals seeking refinement. An event planner's role is incredibly versatile, demanding a unique blend of creativity, organizational skills, and people management. Thus, individuals from varied backgrounds, be it public relations, hospitality, or even finance, can seamlessly transition into this dynamic profession.

Who is This Course For?:

• Aspiring Event Planners: Lay a robust foundation, learning the ropes of event planning, ensuring every event you manage is memorable.

• Professionals Seeking a Career Change: Leverage your existing skills, channeling them into a rewarding career in event management.

• Existing Event Planners: Enhance your techniques, discover the latest industry trends, and streamline your processes for increased efficiency.

• Hospitality Professionals: Augment your skillset, adding a feather to your cap, and expanding your professional horizons.

In Summary:

"Mastering the Craft of Special Event Planning" is not just a course; it's a journey into the world of creating unforgettable experiences. In an age where experiences triumph over possessions, the ability to craft impeccable events is more valuable than ever. Through this course, you will gain the knowledge, insights, and skills required to shine brightly in the galaxy of event management. Enroll now, and set forth on a journey towards creating moments that last a lifetime.

B) A significant happening or occurrence.

C) A social gathering or activity. 

No, this is not a multiple choice question.

Corporate:

• Meetings
• Trainings
• Fundraising
• Conventions

Social:

• Celebrations
• Rites of passage
• Family events

Regardless of the type of event, an event planner does very similar work for all events.

The facts, however, cast a very different light on the occupation. Most of an event planner's duties are done behind the scenes: talking to clients on the phone, checking out potential vendors, creating and reviewing contracts, preparing timelines for upcoming events, marketing for and contracting with new businesses, investigating new venues, or shopping for deals on items such as vases, candlestick holders, and other various items.

Event or meeting planners coordinate everything necessary to put together an event that will be memorable, meet the criteria of purpose, be well organized, and achieve everything within a budget. Some event planners work on smaller events, while others work with a team of people putting on very large events, ongoing events, or annual events.

My mother-in-law would have made a good event planner. Every family holiday, she would scour magazines for months ahead, looking for menu and decorating ideas. She would clip the pictures and recipes and put them in a three-ring binder. As the date approached, she would narrow everything down, creating an elaborate menu and decorating scheme. With those decisions made, she would then make lists: lists for food, lists for flowers, lists for decorations, and then lists for when everything needs to be done, creating what is known in the business as a "timeline."

In the special event business, timelines are the lifeblood of the business. Without them, nothing would be done on time or in the proper order. Each event would have various timelines, the first one well ahead of the event.

As the event draws nearer, the timelines become more and more specific. The final timeline occurs on the day of the event itself, with everything scheduled down to the hour and minute. All of this is done with the greatest attention to detail.

Not everyone has the same skills as my mother-in-law. The people who do not would need an event planner. Perhaps you have a similar set of skills and are interested in becoming an event planner. As we continue through this course, you will learn what it takes to become a successful event planner.

Duties of an Event Planner:

• Consult with clients.
• Set budgets.
• Select dates.
• Choose and inspect venues or locations.
• Negotiate with and select vendors and suppliers.
• Arrange transportation.
• Arrange for food and beverage service or catering.
• Book blocks of rooms.
• Book speakers and entertainers.
• Write publicity pieces.
• Put together participant packets.
• Ship boxes.
• Solicit help from and direct volunteers.
• Prepare invitations, select printers, compile invitations, and send them.
• Create agendas.
• Negotiate room rates.
• Write brochure copy.
• Enter information into a database.
• Interact with chief executive officers, general managers, wait staff, caterers, vendors, housekeepers, and everyone in between.
• Perform any task necessary to make the event a success..

• people skills;
• organizational skills;
• networking skills;
• knowledge of and training in the field;
• versatility;
• leadership;
• team-building capabilities;
• calm demeanor under stress;
• sociability;
• friendliness;
• efficiency;
• creativity.

Most of the time, event planners are created. You may have a great desire to plan things. Perhaps you planned your own wedding or the wedding of a friend. Still others got into event planning by working for a nonprofit organization or by catering banquet events. As you work in this manner, you get to know the people you need to know, you begin to network, finding suppliers and vendors. The vast majority of event planners have experience in catering or banquet functions because food almost always is the backbone of an event. Understanding the flow of food, how it is prepared, presented, and planned for, will help you to prepare for such a career. It actually is a good idea to work in a field very close to event planning, or even enter a mentoring program in which you will work with an experienced event planner, until you understand the job.

If you are the one who rushes to take over organizing anything, from the bake sale at church to the annual summer office picnic at the zoo, you may very well be suited for this job. Evaluate your skills by answering the following questions as honestly and thoughtfully as you can:

• Are you willing to give up evenings and weekends to run and promote your business?
• How much time are you willing or able to give to your business?
• How much support do you have from your family?
• Are you organized? Can you keep the smallest details straight?
• How much of a people person are you? Can you listen to someone, really hear what they want or need, without interjecting your personal opinion?
• How are you with stress?
• How do you handle a crisis?
• Are you creative?
• Can you listen to someone who is just venting without giving advice?
• How well do you work with other people?
• Are you a good leader? Can you create a good and cooperative team?
• Do you want this job for the glamour? If so, stop here. This job is anything but glamorous.

The following two questions are pertinent if you intend to go solo immediately:

• Where will you get the money to finance a new business?
• Are you willing and able to work for almost nothing until your business is established?

An event planner is someone who designs, coordinates, and organizes private parties, conventions, conferences, meetings, seminars, or trade shows. Responsibilities include handling accommodations, transportation, venues, food and beverage, signs, displays, decorations, audio-visual equipment, insurance, security, and budgets.