become a corporate event or wedding planner
It's interesting:"Paul is caring, he's generous, he's sensitive… in fact I don't even know him anymore. Linda has changed my best friend. Actually, I should thank you Linda. You've done in 18 months what I couldn't do in 18 years."
Corporate event and wedding planner jobs require the same event planning and organizational skills, even though the target markets differ. While corporate planners help schedule meetings, conferences and professional functions for businesses, wedding planners primarily deal with couples. Corporate planners are often hired as full-time event or meeting planners in organizations, while wedding planners typically work on a consultancy basis. However, both positions involve scheduling, planning and coordinating events according to their clients’- expectations and budget requirements.
Things You'll Need
- Professional experience
- College degree (optional)
- Industry contacts
- Excellent communication and organizational skills
Instructions
1
Earn a college degree in marketing, communications, public relations or advertising. Take courses including consumer behavior, market research, economics and accounting to build business administration and management skills. Enroll in an event and meeting planning, or wedding consultant certificate program if cost and time constraints prevent you from investing in a two- or four-degree.
2
Apply to entry-level positions with hotels, country clubs, churches or private industry companies. Work on different aspects of corporate planning —- venue research, internal and external communications, on-site coordination and follow-up activities —- to acquire enough experience for promotion to a more senior position. Become a bridal consultant or wedding coordinator for a resort, department store, or bridal shop, for example, if you want to learn all aspects of the wedding business.
3
Attend industry events and conferences for corporate planning or wedding consultant professionals to build your network and customer base. Start gathering contact information for vendors, colleagues, clients and referrals. Schedule regular lunches and meetings to trade industry practices and keep abreast of the latest trends in the sector.
4
Develop your “-soft”- and “-hard”- skills. Hone your organizational and financial management skills by maintaining a calendar, monitoring budgets, and creating schedules and checklists. Familiarize yourself with software and Internet tools that assist professional corporate and wedding planners with their daily tasks.
5
Create a resume and portfolio that displays your work in the corporate planning or wedding planning field. Get permission from clients to use them as references or for testimonials to draw client prospects. Consider obtaining a professional designation as a Certified Wedding Planner or Certified Meeting Professional to distinguish yourself from other corporate and wedding planners.
Tips &- Warnings
Consider interning with an event planning firm, or becoming an apprentice to a wedding planner during high school or college. Gaining experience early on can give you a head-start on skills and resources needed to become a corporate or wedding planner.
Join campus clubs or professional associations that allow you to plan and host events on a volunteer basis. Look into membership and volunteer opportunities with professional organizations such as the Association of Bridal Consultants and Event Planners Association.
Corporate and event planners must work with a plethora of vendors and industry professionals. Establishing positive relationships with photographers, caterers, promotional companies and printers can result in discounts and extra perks for you and your clients.
Tags: wedding planner, wedding planners, become corporate, corporate planning, corporate weddingSource: www.ehow.com
