Event Jobs

9
Feb

Start a Home Business as an Event Planner for Love and Money

Siriol Jameson

If you love people, parties, and planning, why not start a home business as an event planner. Everyone is throwing events today and there are not enough planners to go around. Plus that, you can have fun and make money.

According to the International Special Events Society (ISES), the event planning business has annual sales of about USD$500 billion. Dr. Jose Goldblatt, founder of ISES, says that profit margins are 30% to 40% and they continue to rise. There is room for your endeavor.

An event is a one-time occasion that is put on for a specific reason. The three most common reasons for an event are weddings, fund raisers, and cocktail parties.

People also hold events for graduations, birthdays, anniversaries, debutant coming-out parties, and baby showers.

Companies and institutions often hold events. They include political rallies, fundraisers, in-house parties, team homecomings, award ceremonies, product launches, fashion shows, and reunions.

Full time event planners can make $80,000 to $120,000 a year. The start up costs can be as low as $2500 including insurance.

Recommended skills and training for an event planner include classes and certification. Particularly valuable are classes in sales and management as well as accounting.

To help you make money fast, it is important to become certified. As a Certified Special Events Planner, or CSEP, you have the benefits of education, networking, and a list of jobs available. The same is true if you become a Certified Meeting Planner, or CMP.

Consider membership in The Event Planners Association. They offer insurance, legal assistance, marketing help, and job search services. They also have a forum, marketing tools, and networking resources.

Other organizations to join are the International Special Events Society (ISES), the Chamber of Commerce, and the Better Business Bureau.

As an event planner, you have to actively market yourself to find new clients. Set up a Web site. Do some direct marketing. Spot ads on the radio, an ad in the Yellow Pages, and word of mouth all help drive business.

An event planner’s work is to make sure an event goes off as planned. After conferring with the host, the planner chooses the venue, sends out invitations and publicity, arranges for food, music, entertainment, decorations, flowers, and guest accommodations. The planner is in charge of all personnel, vendors, caterers, photographers, wait staff, security staff, and clean up.

Here are a few helpful tips from experienced event planners:

Work with an established event planner before starting out on your own.
Know the goals of the host and make them your own.
Stay within budget.
Make a written agreement with the host.
Send a gift and thank-you letter to the host after the event.

Becoming an event planner is a great way to make money – but it also takes being a cool-headed organizer. Event planners are in demand so this is the perfect time to start a home business as an event planner. You can make hundreds of new friends and a lot of money while you have fun.

Siriol Jameson helps you make m0ney from home. Drop by Siriol’s Web site and choose from over 40 terrific home businesses. You are sure to find one that makes you m0ney forever. Visit http://www.easy-home-businesses.com/work-from-home-businesses.html Plus get free money tips at http://www.easy-home-businesses.com/newsletter.html

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Siriol_Jameson

Category : Event Jobs | Blog

6
Feb

How to Become an Event Planner

Posted by Randy Wilson (0) Comment

Randy Wilson

Some of you may be wondering why learning How to Become a Party and Event Planner would be of interest to anyone. But, if have always dreamed of owning your own business and having the freedom that comes along with it, then you will definitely be interested in the event planning industry. Worldwide, the annual sales generated in the party, business, and event planning industry exceed $500 billion dollars (Source: International Special Events Society). Anyone entering into this industry has a wide range of options available to them and a huge market to tap into.

Estimated start up costs:
The start-up costs of becoming a party and event planner are relatively low but they will depend upon what services you intend offering. For most, the essential equipment includes: cell phone, laptop, business cards, Yellow Pages ad, and a good organizer of some sort. If you intend on offering catering as one of your event planning jobs, then clearly you will need a fully stocked kitchen but it is possible to outsource this function if you are coordinating the entire event. Bare bones start-up costs including a rough estimate for liability insurance would be less than $2500 if you did your homework and found some deals along the way.

Recommended experience, skills, and training:
Although college degrees are available for an event planner, most of the entrepreneurs within the industry do not have one. The majority of business owners started out in catering or business meeting planning and expanded into event planning. However, many owners have attended classes and attained certification. In addition to education, learning how to become a party and event planner includes experience in the following areas: marketing, accounting, management, and sales.

Marketing tips:
To obtain credibility as a competent event planner, it is imperative that you present a professional image at all times. All of your invoices, e-mails, business cards, and correspondence should bear your company logo and have continuity in visual presentation. You will probably see good results from joining networking groups and the local chamber of commerce. Word-of-mouth will be critical in the early phases while working with the public but you will need a completely professional image and marketing strategy to land the corporate accounts.

Creating a website and filling it with a lot of useful content will land you a high ranking in the search engines and provide you with a powerful marketing tool to help promote your business. Be sure to include a link to this website in all of your e-mails and correspondence as a cheap but effective way of driving traffic to your site. Finally, use direct mail campaigns to local businesses that include some kind of promotion or discount for using your services.

Financing sources:
Learning how to become a party and event planner takes years of experience and a knack for organization but it does not require a lot of start-up capital. This is very fortunate because most banks are not going to loan you the money anyway if you are a brand new business. But, if you already own a catering business and are merely seeking to diversify your services, then your local bank is definitely an option. For everyone else, consider your friends and family if you do not already own a computer or have the cash.

Income Potential:
The income potential of learning for an event planner is only limited by your ability to sell yourself and your services to the clients. With over $500 billion dollars out there up for grabs, there is no reason why you cannot see six figures within the first three years. Like any business, however, you will only be successful if you deliver unparalleled service time and time again. But, if you love planning an event and seeing people happy, then becoming a party and event planner is for you and a way towards financial independence.

Randy has dozens of home based business articles such as Medical Billing Business. You can also sign up for Randy’s free newsletter and 8 different FREE e-courses: Profitable Home Business Newsletter.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Randy_Wilson

Category : Event Jobs | Blog

31
Mar

Corporate Event Planning and Corporate Culture

Posted by Natalie Aranda (0) Comment

Natalie Aranda

Team building, leadership quality, and different management skills are what most corporations are concerned about. Driven by a motive to maximize the out-put from the employees, corporate events are planned to hone these skills of their employees. Indoor and outdoor corporate events are designed in a way that is entertaining as well as rewarding for learning experiences.

Corporations take their entertainment part seriously. Due to this event, managers have prepared to accommodate their corporate event entertainment in their portfolios. Tour operators and vacation operators are increasingly eager to cater to corporate event entertainment. Simply having a dinner to the accompaniment of music and dance is only a part of what is offered for corporate entertainment. Many facets are included in corporate event entertainment. To develop the quality of risk a company may decide to send its top management on a sky diving trip. Alternatively, if the idea is to develop a sense of humor for its customer service department a company may plan for screening of comedy movies, jokes by stand up comedians and workshops to encourage the participants to narrate humorous incidents, among other things.

Corporations are aware that their culture is instrumental in deciding their productivity and profit as much as their product. Most of the corporate events are aimed at instilling a desired culture or acquaint new staff to the existing culture. So when a merger takes place, it becomes necessary for the weaker company to be acclimatized to the acquiring company’s culture. This can be done easily through entertainment rather than passing strict official rules that may be met with resistance. In addition, what better way to get to know one’s colleagues than through fun events?

Magicians, clowns, jugglers, balloon artists, stilt walkers, dance instructors, caricaturists all can be part of a corporate event. Interactive comedy shows are now a rage in corporate event entertainment circles. The variety of interactive games is designed to improve communication skills and other management skills in a fun way.

The choice of location is also important. For a company that puts a premium on ideas, an open and natural setting is preferred to trigger off creative ideas. Horseback riding, trekking, mountain climbing, parachute jumping, canoeing and river rafting are some outdoor events, which aim at improving team spirit among corporate clients.

Music has always been the life of any event. Corporate events are no exception. A manager who is known for his tough exterior can lead his executives to have a glimpse of his humane side by the choice of songs to be played by the DJ in a corporate party. Live music entertainment is also the central theme of many corporate events. Music can really loosen up people to relate better with each other.

Copyright @2006, 4th Media Corporation

You have permission to publish this article electronically free of charge, as long as the bylines and links in the body of the article and the bylines are included.

Natalie Aranda writes about marketing, sales and corporate culture. Simply having a dinner to the accompaniment of music and dance is only a part of what is offered for corporate entertainment. Many facets are included in corporate event entertainment. To develop the quality of risk a company may decide to send its top management on a sky diving trip. Alternatively, if the idea is to develop a sense of humor for its customer service department a company may plan for screening of comedy movies, jokes by stand up comedians and workshops to encourage the participants to narrate humorous incidents, among other things.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Natalie_Aranda

Category : Event Jobs | Blog

19
Mar

Starting a Hospitality Career

Posted by J Stone (0) Comment

J Stone

To start out on a realistic note, working as a professional in the hospitality industry is no easy living. You are going to work long hours around the clock. You will most likely work weekends and holidays, because that’s the busiest times. And, even though most people are at least pleasant, there are those guests who are so rude that they give the others a bad name.

It takes an iron will to face all this and more. You’ll need to have a selfless, sacrificing nature to see your kith and kin have the time of their life holidaying while you slog to please others. And you’ll be expected to never be without a perpetual smile on your face. But the offered perks, the potential for good tips or attaining a high-ranking position, and the benefit of working in a recession-free industry draws potential workforce towards it. If you have all that, you can set up a pretty nice life for yourself.

Enjoying being among people is the first and foremost requirement to be able to chart a course of success in the hospitality industry. The job of a person serving in this field requires one to be people-friendly, adaptable, and energetic. Other traits that will come in handy include the ability to work in a team, problem-solving capabilities, and working in a customer-centric atmosphere. If the smiles on your guests’ satisfied faces make you forget all your difficulties - including the pressure of working on your feet for late hours without the weekends for yourself - you are probably tailor-made to suit this profession. On the contrary, a reclusive, introverted personality who likes keeping to themselves, working in a cubicle for a stress-free job, or likes a typical office-hours shift is a complete misfit.

If you know your calling in life lies in the hotel and hospitality industry, you need to take a path that will provide you an edge over the others as far as employment is concerned. You could go in for any of many educational paths to take your plans forward.

Though not always necessary, enrolling for a full-time course is an option. Identify your area of interest and enroll for a full time program affiliated to a specific industry. Choose a program depending upon the eligibility and the time you wish to spend on your education. Chefs, especially, will need some form of culinary school, and those aiming for management will probably be best served by a simple business degree.

Another option is a company-sponsored training program. Join a program that is conducted by an employer or an agency that is associated with employers in your target hospitality industry. Such programs are generally the blend of theory or off-site training at a community college or institution, and practical or on-the-job training at affiliated businesses, similar to an internship.

Finally, you find an employer who will hire a first-timer. This is your ‘break-in’ period, and it’s wise to remember the old Chinese saying, “The temptation to quit will be strongest just before you succeed.” The first year will arm you with the necessary and invaluable experience.

Though it has been recognized as a full fledged industry relatively late in history, the hospitality trade is as old as scriptural times. The current trend of globalization, coupled with the exponentially rising spending power of the new world economy is at the core of the boom that the hospitality trade has received in the past few years. But, people who are short-sighted about the many dimensions of the trade fail to see the myriad hues that this industry offers its workforce.

A mere mention of the hospitality industry brings to our mind the images of chefs with high white hats, or pleasant, tidy front desk executives and alert, courteous waiters. It is helpful to be aware of the deluge of other opportunities that await a young hospitality industry graduate. Amusement parks, resorts, golf courses, spas, gyms, retreats, bed and breakfasts, and casinos all fit under the wide umbrella of the hospitality industry.

You might not think of working in a restaurant waiting tables sounds like a fun career, but have you been to Disneyland and seen that restaurant they have inside the Pirates of the Caribbean ride? Or perhaps you’ve thought of working your way up to head hostess at Ceasar’s Palace? Or have you figured how much a wine steward at a South American beach resort makes, all under the warm equatorial sun and drenched in the ocean breeze all day? See, there’s more options available than just slinging hash in a truck stop!

Contrary to the common perception, hospitality most definitely does not pertain merely to hotels. We tend to overlook the fact that hospitality has entered our lives in more ways than we can think of. Small and big eateries, coffee shops, ice-cream parlors, lodges, cinemas, workplace canteens, and event management agencies are as much a part of the hospitality industry as hotels and restaurants.

A qualified hospitality professional might have a choice of working as a hotel manager, concierge, front desk manager, food and beverage manager, housekeeping manager and sales and marketing professional. Apart from this, openings in restaurant management, catering, event planning, consulting, and research firms beckon the trained graduates with a modest run of experience.

A common question that comes up: What matters more in the hospitality trade, qualifications or personality? Since employers believe that success in the hospitality industry isn’t always related to the qualifications that you have, personality and charisma is more of a score over the list of qualifications of a prospective employee. Outgoing people focused on business goals are always the most sought after. Qualifications are definitely a value addition, but not a must-have. Some believe in the credibility provided by these qualifications but nonetheless fervently advocate the performance-oriented nature of the industry, since you can always pick up an extra certificate while you’re working.

But really, a winning attitude, a positive personality, and excellent people skills are most important, and in many cases will be all you need. And what school could teach those? You’re either born with it or you aren’t. If you were born with it, it’s yours to put to work for you.

Freelance writer for over eleven years.Chef Pants Restaurant Uniforms

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=J_Stone

Category : Event Jobs | Blog

27
Feb

Looking for a Career in Events?

Posted by Tariq El Kashef (0) Comment

Where to Start?

So you’ve decided you want to work in events? You’re outgoing, organised, methodical and resourceful and looking for a career with plenty of variety, challenge and job satisfaction. So where do you start? And who employs event managers anyway?

One way of narrowing down your search is to decide which industry sector most appeals to you.

Agencies

Big brands will often outsource their events to agencies which create, plan, produce and execute events on behalf of these paying clients. Agency work is competitive and sales driven but offers the opportunity to be creative. Event Management agencies constantly need to chase clients for new business and need to offer unique and original solutions to stand out from the competition.

Many of the larger event agencies do their recruitment through specialist event recruitment agencies, but considering this is a service they have to pay for it’s always better to recruit directly. One extensive (albeit expensive) resource for finding event agencies is the White Book.

Not for Profit

For not-for-profit organisations such as charities, events form an integral part of their marketing communication and fundraising tools. Gala dinners, auctions, golf days and concerts are all effective ways to promote the organisation, spread its message and raise badly needed funds for the cause in question. Think of any major charity in the UK and almost all will have an events department.

Simply Google their website, search around for the careers section and you’ll usually find an email address for employment enquiries. Alternatively Third Sector Recruitment is a specialist jobs board for Charities and Not-for-Profit organisations.

Associations

Most industry sectors have a membership association which protects its best interests, and some sectors have many. Whether it be the BOA (British Olympic Association), the AEO (Association of Exhibition Organisers) or SEMI (the Association representing the SEMI Conductor industry), members of industry associations such as these are entitled to benefits like training, legal representation, insurance, employment opportunities and invites to specially organised industry events.

Event managers working within an association may be required to organise networking events, exhibitions, conferences, seasonal get-togethers and fundraisers. If you have a background in another profession, working as an event manager for the association which represents that profession maybe a great way to combine your skills and experience and work for a movement you believe in.

Commercial Conferencing

Commercial conferencing companies research and develop highly focused subjects around which a conference is built. These may include finance, defence, automotive, logistics and many more. A program of specialist industry speakers is compiled and revenue is generated through tickets sales, sponsorship and the sale of space at the exhibitions which usually accompany the event.

In-House

Some event managers work in-house at large companies responsible for the planning and execution of all events for that organisation. In some cases the in-house event manager will work along side an agency on the production of their events. These event managers are often marketing professionals for whom event management is just one aspect of their role.

Venues

Whether it’s a hotel, conference centre, football stadium or museum, almost every venue has an event manager. Although the setting stays the same, working venue-side will put you in touch with clients from all of the above sectors who hire your venue to stage a variety of events. Customer service and unlimited patience is a must as you work tirelessly to keep your clients happy.

And Finally

There other kinds of companies which recruit event managers which are not discussed here, but when perusing the jobs boards of event management websites, most vacancies will fall into one of the above.

When searching for an event management job (something that was difficult enough prior to the economic downturn), now more importantly than ever your search needs to be targeted and decisive. If you’re searching for your first event job, you need to know what you’re looking for and why? And why your skills are best suited to that role.

Tariq El Kashef is a tour and events organiser and editor of the Event Manager’s Career Guide: www.eventmanagementpeople.co.uk

Category : Event Jobs | Blog

17
Oct

How To Become A Wedding Planner

Posted by Suzanne Daykin (3) Comment

Suzanne Daykin

How to become a wedding planner, where do you start? Firstly you have to be passionate about organising parties and love all the little details, if that is you then you are in the right place.

I started my wedding planning career in 1997, a month after I got married and found I just loved talking weddings and helping others plan their big day. I was working in a big 4 star hotel and had graduated with a degree in Hospitality Management. Since then my event management skills have taken me to working in Europe and the UK, I have organised huge corporate functions to small family events and loved every minute of it. In 2006 I decided to go it alone and set up my own event company it was the best decision for me and now along with planning exhibitions I also get the chance to help brides and grooms plan their big day, and save them money!

My advice would be to get as much experience as you possibly can before you launch yourself as a wedding planner. Help family and friends organise their celebrations, it doesn’t have to be a wedding, all event management experience helps. Keep notes on all of the ideas that come up, I find it best to have seperate files on suppliers, venues and procedures. I have a checklist that I use for all of my weddings to ensure I don’t miss anything.

While you are gaining experience and contacts think about whether you need any professional training. Check out local colleges and online event management courses, there are even wedding planner courses - these are specific to weddings and if you want to build on your confidence they could be worth investing in.

As with all business start ups it is worth writing a business plan to see if this is a viable option for you. You don’t want to pay for training and spend valuable time if this is not going to provide you with an income.

Questions to ask yourself are;
How many weddings can you manage in a year? There are 52 weeks in a year but the summer wedding season is the busiest. Will you be able to organise and manage more than one wedding a week? Remember it is best to start off planning fewer while you build up your business.

Can your local economy support a wedding planner? The national average wedding cost is over £20,000, a wedding planner normally charges around 20% but an average is just that, what is the average cost of a wedding in your area? How much will your local brides and grooms pay for your services? Don’t know - then ask them, most brides and grooms love talking about their wedding day!

How many weddings are there in your area in the year? Gain stats from your local registery office.

Have a think about what your unique selling point (usp) is, mine as you can see is cheap, are you an expert of jewish, christian, hindi, muslim weddings or humanist or gay weddings. Would your usp provide you with enough business?

Your costs will be pretty minimal as you are not having to buy any goods before you pay for them - all the costs will be your clients. Your biggest cost will be your marketing/ advertising, I have found being online really helps my offline business. The great thing about being online is that you can generate extra income on top of your usual wedding planning business with adverts and an online shop!

Other ways to advertise your business are by building relationships with other local vendors, word of mouth is one of the best ways to get bookings. Ask existing clients if they have any friends or family that are getting married soon. You could attend wedding fairs but I don’t find them cost effective for the amount of business that you get, however when you first start out it is worth going to build public awareness. Write articles for local publications, become their expert on weddings, this all increases your profile. Register with local wedding directories. I have found all these help my business grow!

Now then what are you waiting for? You are ready to fly, you know how to become a wedding planner!

Suzanne Daykin is owner of http://www.cheap-wedding-solutions.com

Suzanne has spent the last 12 years working in the Hospitality Industry as a wedding planner and event manager. Organising thousands of functions from small personal parties to large corporate product launches in the UK and Europe. Currently a work at home mum, Suzanne set up her own event company in 2006 and now looks to help future brides and grooms save money when they are planning their wedding.

Make it look like you spent thousands with simple Cheap Wedding Solutions http://www.cheap-wedding-solutions.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Suzanne_Daykin

Category : Event Jobs | Weddings | Blog

5
Oct

Starting Out In Event Management

Posted by Shaun Bird (0) Comment

Shaun Bird

Event Management and Wedding Planning are both big business. Huge shows, sporting events, charity events, as well as a memorable occasion for that ‘special day’, have made Event Management into a multi-million pound industry.

Humans are sociable creatures. We all love a good ‘get together’ - whether to celebrate an event such as a birthday, wedding or anniversary; or to promote something such as a product launch, political party or new season’s fashions. An event can also be educational in nature (conference, meetings, graduations etc.) or even an opportunity to remember someone special via a funeral or memorial service.

Whatever the occasion, if you enjoy socialising, are hard working and good at organising, it can be a highly lucrative career running your own Event Management business.

Becoming an Event Manager or Wedding Planner is a marvellous opportunity to make money and have fun at the same time. It can be genuinely glamorous, and you have the satisfaction of knowing that you are there to make people happy. In today’s fast-moving world, people don’t have the time to organize their special event, so they increasingly rely on event management professionals to do it for them. Yet good Event Managers are in real short supply, even though the demand for special events is growing all the time.

So what does Event Planning involve? It’s a massive topic, but you need to consider things like background research, creating a theme, finding a suitable venue, arranging good quality food and entertainment, arranging transport, sending invitations, organising event staff and supervising on the big day. And it’s not even over then! Post-event, you will need to conduct a thorough evaluation of how things went.

A useful way to start on a new career in Event Management or Wedding Planning, is to sign up for a distance learning course on the subject. By studying in your own free time, you can gain a considerable amount of knowledge and learn important kills that help you on your way to becoming a successful Event Planner and Manager. The distance learning (or ‘home study’) course will also give you practical advice about starting up in business and how to ‘sell’ your business to potential clients.

If you do go down this career path, whatever the occasion, the real challenge as an Event Manager or Wedding Planner is to make sure your event is such a success it will be remembered for years to come. What could be more empowering than that!

Shaun Bird
http://www.uk-open-learning.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shaun_Bird

Category : Event Jobs | Blog

5
Apr

How To Become A Wedding Planner

Posted by Suzanne Daykin (0) Comment