Event Services
How long does it take to plan?
Depends on the event. You work on things in different stages. For our events, typically around 6 months.
Are there other people involved in the planning?
Event planners are needed for all these events. However, event planners also work on thousands of smaller events. Any time people gather together for a purpose, someone is needed to oversee all the details to ensure the event happens and that it is a success. That someone could be you!
When you get a job as an event planner or start an event planning business, you might specialize in planning particular types of events, such as social events or business meetings, or you might be hired to plan a variety of events. Which types of events would you like to get paid to plan?
* Annual meetings
* Award events
* Board of directors meetings
* Book launch events
* Conferences
* Meetings
* Music festivals
* Neighborhood block parties
* Parades
* Political rallies
* Social events
* Seminars
* Sports events
* Any other major events
* Other types of events
Etc
What do you understand by conference?
What is a conference? How often do you hold a conference?
What type of conference do you hold? What was presented?
When was the last conference organised? How many participants were there?
Did you see each other face to face?
Did they see each other face to face?
What aspects of these conferences do you like?
What do you dislike?
What was the best conference you ever attended?
What would you do to improve any future conferences you were to attend?
How would you run a conference?
There are few jobs that offer so many benefits. As an event planner (also known as a special events planner, meeting planner, events coordinator, or events organizer) you will have a job that is fun, interesting, and rewarding.
If you start your own event planning business you can enjoy the freedom of being your own boss.
As long as you have the desire, you can become an event planner, and get a job as an event planner or start an event planning business. No special education or experience is necessary to break into event planning and succeed.
If you would like to get an event planning job or start an event planning business, the FabJob Guide to Become an Event Planner is for you! In this guide you will discover how you can get started and succeed in the exciting career of professional event planning.
The authors of this guide are expert event planners who have planned hundreds of events in more than two dozen cities throughout North America. Their experience ranges from planning social events to business meetings to public events attracting thousands of people.
For over 15 years, lead author Jan Riddell has planned a variety of events ranging from annual meetings to family reunions to television premieres. In this guide Jan and her co-authors share with you their own experiences as well as insider tips and expert advice from other successful event planners. The event industry professionals who share advice in this guide include:
The guide covers topics of vital importance to anyone who wants to become an event planner, including:
How to Plan Events
Step-by-step advice for organizing a successful event (includes many helpful samples you can use in event planning):
* How to do a client consultation (includes a list of sample questions to ask clients)
* Carrying out the preliminary steps in event planning:
o Setting objectives for each event
o Choosing a date for the event
o Deciding who to invite to the event
o Creating a theme for the event
* Preparing a timeline schedule for the event
* Budgeting for the event (includes a sample budget and budget planning form)
* Choosing a place where the event will take place (the venue)
* Finding and selecting reputable vendors (e.g. transportation, food services, audiovisual, and other services)
* Getting entertainers and celebrities for your events
* How to get companies to sponsor your event or donate products and services
* Marketing your event to get people to attend (includes ways to get free publicity for your events)
* Backup plans to help you avoid event disasters
* How to negotiate contracts and save money
* Evaluating the success of the event
Getting an Event Planning Job
o Educational programs in event planning plus ways you can get educational credentials more quickly and less expensively
* Identifying event planning experience you already have (even planning birthday parties!)
* Advice to help you ace the interview
o How to prepare for an interview (what to bring, what to wear, and more)
o Samples of questions to expect
o Following up after an event planner job interview (includes a sample thank you letter)
* Considering a job offer (includes resources with salary information to help in salary negotiations)
Plus, you will discover:
* Where to get creative ideas for events
* How to develop the skills you will need as an event planner, including organizational skills
* How to be certified as a "professional" event planner
* Samples of what you need to become an event planner and start an event planning business, including:
o Sample questions to ask clients when doing an event consultation
o Sample event planning meeting agenda
o Sample event timeline
o Sample event day itinerary
o Sample event budget form
o Sample room set-ups
o Sample site survey sheet (to evaluate event sites)
o Sample venue confirmation letter
o Sample questions to ask _______
o Sample press release for an event
o Sample letter seeking a donation for an event
o Sample resumes for event planners
o Sample cover letter for an event planning job
o Sample thank you letter
o Sample script of what to say when talking to prospective clients
o Sample proposal
o Sample reference letter for an event planner
o Sample event evaluation form
* Links to templates for creating business stationery and marketing materials
* Worksheets and checklists to help you keep track of the event budget, venue, tasks, and supplies
* And more! (including free updates)
You can have all this and more for an incredible special price. People pay hundreds of dollars for courses on event planning. The FabJob Guide to Become an Event Planner contains the some of the best event planning career and business advice you could get from other sources, plus much more.
NOTE: Only a very limited number of copies of the new edition of this popular guide have been published in print, and are available on a first come first served basis. The previous edition sold out, so if you would like to have a print copy of the new edition, we strongly suggest that you purchase it immediately.
You will earn back much more than the price of the guide with your next event planning job. And with this guide you can get get hired to plan events much more quickly.
If you believe you deserve to have the career of your dreams, this guide is for you. It gives you what you need to know to become an event planner, find event planning jobs, or start an event planning business.
Don't miss the opportunity to have the career of your dreams. If you are undecided, take advantage of our guarantee. Buy the event planning guide, read it, and if you are not satisfied, your money will be refunded.
A special event is a one-time event focused on a specific purpose such as a groundbreaking, grand opening or other significant occasion in the life of a library. Special events may also be created for other targeted purposes such as a jobs fair; awards banquet or logo contest.
These one time special events are different from "programs" offered on a continuing basis such as a lecture series, summer reading club or story hour. The following steps are offered to help guide your event planning:
1. Develop strategies for success
* Make sure the purpose for the special event is important enough to merit the time and expense needed to properly stage, publicize and evaluate the event.
* Carefully match the type of event that is selected to the purpose that it serves. Do you want to reach out to new users or thank your supporters?
* Ensure that the library staff fully supports the special event. Select a working committee with broad representation.
* Target groups that have a special stake in the event such as library users, funders, politicians. business leaders, senior citizens or parents.
* Start planning at least three months, and in many cases, a year ahead of time.
* Develop ways to evaluate the event's success. Measurable event objectives may include attendance, the amount of money raised, the number of library cards issued or increases in circulation.
* Talk to other librarians who have successfully staged similar events.
2. Make a checklist
A checklist provides a step-by-step guide to organizing and executing a special event. See sample checklist on next page.
3. speakers, food. supplies, security).
4. Consider logistics
With many activities going on simultaneously, there are many details to be checked. Major areas to consider and plan for include: size of space or building used, utility support needed, setup (tables and chairs. tents, portable toilets, parking, signage) coordination, cleanup, emergency plans. transportation, and public services such as police and fire departments.
5. Plan publicity
Promoting a special event takes creative thinking balanced with practicality. The primary objective is to publicize the event, but secondary objectives should be considered.
* Are you trying to inform, educate or entertain?
* Increase awareness or attendance of the event?
* Build a base support from a specific audience?
* Facilitate good community relations?
Brainstorm all the available media in including marquees, school newsletters, church announcements, and cable and commercial stations. Make a detailed list with names of whom to contact and when.
6. Evaluate the event
Take time to evaluate right after the event while the details are fresh. You may want to consider having a questionnaire for participants to fill out. Some general evaluative criteria include:
* Did the event fulfill its goals and objectives? Why or why not?
* Identify what worked and what needs fine-tuning. Which vendors should be used again?
* What items were missing on the checklist?
* Was the event well attended?
* Was informal and formal feedback about the event positive?
* Given all that went into staging, was it worth doing?
The following checklist provides a step-by-step guide to organizing and executing an open house. Include projected deadlines for each step.
Select chair and members of your planning committee.
Develop a master plan and set the event date.
Select chairs for subcommittees such as refresiments, setup and cleanup, tour guides, traffic and safety, volunteers speakers, and invitations.
Organize volunteers for each committee.
Formulate a publicity plan. Decide when/how media should be contacted. Be sure to alert the media of photo and interview opportunities.
Prepare copy for program and printed materials.
Hold a "tie down" meeting the day before the event Distribute a schedule of events to each committee member. Discuss assignments. Distribute identification badges. Answer any questions.
Set up several registration tables and stagger tour schedules to avoid bottlenecks. Distribute a program as guests arrive, so they know what to expect.
After the event, mail the printed program with an appropriate letter to "significant others" who were unable to attend.
Remember to thank everyone who participated. Send photos if possible.
Conduct an evaluation
Who fixed the price for events?
What advertisement law is applicable?
How is the place of birth of guests or visitors documented?
How is their identity verified?
How is intelligence and police informed about the same?
You need to verify information before you circulate and publish in any form of media.
What should you keep in mind while doing your duty and fulfilling your responsibility?
What should you keep in mind after doing your duty and fulfilling your responsibility?
You don't harm anyone.
You don't use these promotions to trick others and violate their rights.
You don't lead to inaction.
You keep yourself updated with recent advances and international standards.
You don't misinterpret the facts.
You get the proper solutions and remedies.
You don't maintain criminal silence.
You don't misguide. don't give a wrong referral. don't give wrong recommendations.
You don't lie.
You don't violate anyone's fidelity.
You don't violate anyone's conjugal rights.
You don't trick anyone for vested interests.
Who is the regulator of these promotions?
What are their duties and responsibilities?
Is security available or required on campus?
Is there a fee associated with parking on campus?
Where can I park on campus?
I would like to plan an event at ______. Where do I begin?
You will be paired with a qualified staff member who will review your needs and prepare for you a preliminary cost estimate and budget. Conference and Event Services gives special attention to individual needs: any coordination and registration charges will be based upon unique requirements. Whether you are planning an on or off-campus event, we can provide services from site selection to the management of income and expenses, and serve as liaison between you and a wide array of ______.
Can conference and event participants use the university sports, recreation and arts facilities?
Do I need to arrange for an external AV provider?
Our staff will arrange affordable audio visual equipment to fit your needs, however if you wish to bring in outside audiovisual equipment, that is also permitted.
What is the weather like in ______?
What is the largest group you can accommodate?
Are there long distances between facilities?
What is your cancellation policy?
Are your conference and event facilities available year round?
Do you accept credit cards for payments of university services and facility rentals?
What is your job title and description?
What is the typical salary for an event coordinator?
Do you have any tips or suggestions for people just starting into the field, in terms of what
to do for experience?
Do you think your course of study helped prepare you with your job?
What skills do you think an event planner should have?
How do you make an event more memorable for your audience?
Always try to keep it fresh. Add at least one new or exciting element to every event you do.
Keep it fun. Once the event is over, dissect it to see
what you could have done better or different,
and write it down.
Are there any personality characteristics that would be helpful with this kind of job?
Committed, passionate and dedicated. Easy-going, self-starter, friendly with a good sense of
humor. Confident, detail-oriented, flexible, positive, outgoing and focused. Also need to have a
thick skin and be a team player.
Is there a process you follow to plan the event?
Timeline and basic outline of tasks. Best if you have an ‘event bible’ that gets updated annually.
Is there a list of pros and cons to go along with the work?
Pros-Exciting, challenging, definitely not boring, fun, gratifying—it’s nice to be the person that
has the answers, satisfying because you now you are doing something positive for your
community (all our events are non-alcoholic). Your family-friendly events are bringing people
together and creating memories. When you see children smiling and people having fun, you kind
of forget the stress and sleepless nights.