Very often I receive emails about getting into the event planning business, taking an existing business to the next level, pricing, my background, etc. Because I run a crazy-busy company I can’t possibly answer each email personally which very much bums me out. So….I have written the following blog to try and help out where I can. My apologies in advance for not being able to answer each person’s questions individually.
How did you get into the business? The best way to find out more about my background is to check out my bio. You can also go to www.Google.com and Google my name: “Marley Majcher” to read what other writers have already dug up.
Are there any particular classes I can take? Community colleges and universities offer all kinds of classes. Check the bigger ones in your area. I know in LA that UCLA Extension offers some. This would be a good way to get your feet wet and meet the teacher (who probably has some industry contacts he or she can share.)
How do I get into the event planning business? There are lots of ways.
– Get an internship and work your tail off for someone else for free so you can get your feet wet.
– Join one of our industry groups (NACE – National Association of Catering Executives, ISES -International Special Events Society, MPI – Meeting Planners International or ABC – Association of Bridal Consultants). Google these groups to find a meeting near you and to get some more information.
– Attend one of our national conventions. If you visit www.specialevents.com you can click on the link for the national convention held every January in a different city.
– Subscribe to an industry trade magazine. I particularly like BizBash www.bizbash.com and Special Events Magazine www.specialevents.com .
Need more specific information? You can hire me for $250/hour or you can contact Sharon Jensen at www.SpecialEventBusinessAdvisors.com. I guarantee you she’ll be more reasonable and she specializes in helping event planners grow.
That’s all I’ve got for now. Check back and I’ll keep updating!
Great post! Very informative and well written. Thanks for posting!
Another way to get into the business is to work for a business which services the industry. I recently put on an event and one of the outfits I hired was a supplier of virtual reality simulators. The guys they sent with the machines were bright and attentive, which is to be expected. But they were also very obviously interested in the event as a whole. It makes sense to me, they were studying the party industry overall, not just their slice of it. They’ll be ready for anything when it’s time to go it alone.
Before you start charging people for your services, why not get a little experience by offering to help friends, family, etc, to plan their events? It’s one thing to have put on your own parties, it’s quite another working with someone and their ideas and budget.
This is a great starting point for would-be planners. One important area to master is the world of business speakers (also known as corporate speakers). By having ready access to top speakers from the worlds of marketing, motivation, etc. is a great way to put your stamp on a planned event!
Keep up the good work.