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What is an event planner and how to become one
If you're a people person, enjoy completing projects, organizing, working with procedures, you may flourish in a career as an event planner. Event planning is an incredible choice for people who want to work in a creative environment. Being an event planner, you may plan menus, decorations, and entertainment, which are a few creative aspects of this job. The majority of event planners organize, design, and run various functions and events, from a wedding and educational conferences to corporate or business conventions. Here, your job is to ensure everything related to an event, from idea conception to programming and day-of logistics, is properly planned.
Event planning is one of the most exciting, fun, and rewarding experience, where you may use your innovative new ideas to bring the visions to life. Launching product parties, conferences, and trade shows, you may work with vendors, clients and often interact with guests or celebrities. So the role of event planner not only offers variety in your days but also brings unique experiences with excellent learning opportunities.
Another distinct aspect of event planning is that it's a profession where you can become very successful without earning a formal education. You don't need any specific degree. However, earning a bachelor's degree in event management or hospitality and relevant work experience may help pump your resume.
What's more, a job as an event planner offers you to become self-employed as a freelance or work for short periods upon your set schedules. Not only that, but a job as an event planner provides a fair amount of job security as it's ranked highly among the careers. According to BLS, event planning expects to grow by 10 percent in the next decade, which is much faster than the average growth for all occupations.
What general advice would you give to an Event Planner?
Duane Sunwold
Instructor, Spokane Community College
Avg. Salary $51,542
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth Rate 18%
Growth Rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 0.24%
Asian 5.92%
Black or African American 11.41%
Hispanic or Latino 16.45%
Unknown 4.71%
White 61.28%
Genderfemale 77.61%
male 22.39%
Age - 36American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 36Stress level is high
7.1 - high
Complexity Level is challenging
7 - challenging
Work Life balance is poor
6.4 - fair
Event Planner career paths
Key steps to become an event planner
Explore event planner education requirements
Start to develop specific event planner skills
Skills 
Percentages Customer Service 14.97% Vendor Contracts 11.96% Plan Events 7.76% Event Management 6.38% PowerPoint 4.80% Complete relevant event planner training and internships
Accountants spend an average of 1-2 years on post-employment, on-the-job training. New event planners learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as an event planner based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real event planner resumes.Gain additional event planner certifications
More About CertificationsEvent planner certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific event planner certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.
The most common certifications for event planners include Certified Wedding and Event Planner (CWP) and Certified Planning Engineer (CPE).
Research event planner duties and responsibilities
- Manage client RFP s, develop detailed proposals & client pitches.
- Produce, implement, and manage sales lead forms and online surveys to determine overall ROI.
- Manage VIP & bottle service, sell tickets, hire promoters, promotional models, disc jockeys & staff for venues.
- Manage and ship all marketing and advertising kits and giveaways for career fairs, on-campus presentations, final rounds and orientations.
Prepare your event planner resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your event planner resume.
You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on an event planner resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.
Choose From 10+ Customizable Event Planner Resume templates
Build a professional Event Planner resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Event Planner resume.
Apply for event planner jobs
Now it's time to start searching for an event planner job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
How Did You Land Your First Event Planner Job
Are you an Event Planner?
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Average event planner salary
The average Event Planner salary in the United States is $51,542 per year or $25 per hour. Event planner salaries range between $35,000 and $74,000 per year.
What Am I Worth?
How do event planners rate their job?
Event Planner reviews
I was a theater major who received my CMP and realized I could put on a production in the corporate world. Event Planning allows me to utilize my skillset in a way I didn't know was possible. I also have the opportunity to travel and most venues treat you well when you're the planner (if you're the one in charge of the event).
There is nothing more stressful then this job. As you get closer to an event, the days get longer and the job can become 24/7, especially while the event is happening. If you're looking for a job you clock out from at 5pm, this is not the job for you. You're also in charge of budgets, F&B, Centerpieces, Entertainment, Speakers, Content, App Development, Registration, the list is endless. If you aren't good under pressure, this is not the job for you.
There are times when no matter what you do - a difficult and unhappy customer who has a bad attitude with everything, will not be happy. No matter what you do.
Working as an Event Coordinator/Planner is the most exhilarating and ultimately the most rewarding job - at least for me, it is. I have the passion and drive to turn a simple birthday bash into a themed, carnival affair! I love to see the guests faces when they walk through the door to be whisked away into a different era! I enjoy getting to know the client and to understand their vision. Because in the end - if I have done my job correctly as an event planner and the final outcome was successful - then I have done my job to the best of my ability
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Updated January 8, 2025
