Event Planner as a Career
From choosing venues to receiving contracts, from creating guest and judge lists to supplying name badges and from transportation facilities to event sponsors everything must be perfect to make an event successful. But, all these things don't get over in a blink of an eye. Planning and management is essential to organize any event, no matter how big or small it is.
Event planners are responsible for executing an event successfully. Meetings, conventions, musical concerts, film festivals, etc. are all part of events which these professionals have to manage numerous events every year. There is no formal education required to become an event planner, however, certain skills in event planning are beneficial. A bachelor's program in hospitality or public relation can present good job opportunities. Here are some other requirements in order to take event planning as a career -
Requirements: Education requirements and experience varies from organization to organization; however, a bachelor's degree is what most of the employers prefer. If you don't have a degree in hospitality management related field, 1-2 years of experience will surely be beneficial. On the other hand, a certified event planner is mostly preferred by major organizations. Certificate exams vary according to event planning area; one such exam is Certified Meeting Professionals designation exam.
Payment: Income of an event planner generally varies with the type of event and the level at which it is organized. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics- May 2011 report, the average annual wages of event planners in USA is around $49,840. In Missouri, the same is observed to be around $45,110 with just over 1,000 event planners.
Job scenario in the field of event management is changing rapidly. By 2020, USA may witness growth of 44% in event management and planning field. This above average growth rate will surely attract more people to take a career in the field of public relation and hospitality.
In Missouri, there are very few institutes which offer courses in event and meeting planning as well as hospitality administration. Some of them include -
Bachelor's Degree:
- College of the Ozarks- Point Lookout
- Lindenwood University- Saint Charles
- Missouri State University- Springfield
- University of Central Missouri- Warrensburg
- Southeast Missouri State University- Cape Girardeau
Other institutes, Southwest Baptist University- Bolivar offer Master's Degree while Three Rivers Community College- Poplar Bluff offer <1 year Certificate Course in the same field.
This field can many-a-times be stressful but the outcome can provide soothing effect. The above average job opportunities and a contemporary career will surely attract many people with its unique qualities.