How can I become an Event Planner or Meeting Planner?
Asked by sojournerme
I have tons of travel experience, but am tired of my job. I don't know where to begin. Any advice?

Best Answer:
I have been an event and meeting planner for 15 years. The answer to this is a long one - too long to post; but I do have a website dedicated to this and every other question about event planning. It is: www.careers-in-event-planning . com. I am not selling anything, and I provide in-depth explanations of the event industry, what types of events you can plan, and how to break into the industry. I also discuss schooling and whether it's right for you, as well as other resources. The short answer is, you need to start volunteering for local events. The industry is just too competitive to get a job with no experience. Summer is a great time to get some experience, with so many events and festivals! I cover this topic in my upcoming newsletter (due out later this week) so if you hurry and go to my website and sign up for my newsletter, you can learn a lot more about this. Volunteering is also a great way to see if you really like the business....it's a lot of work but very rewarding and always, always exciting! You also need to find a mentor or go on some "informational interviews," which I cover on the "Career Planning" page of my website. Informational interviews are a way to interview someone in the 'biz, not for a job, but just for some advice and tips. These can be very helpful in guiding your career. Your travel is helpful, although not every planner has to travel. But if you love to travel, then being an on-site coordinator is a great way to break into the business - you travel all over the world, helping out with meetings and events (that's covered on the "On Site Managers" page). Good luck and don't give up - it's the best career path you could ever take!
15 years of being an event planner; and as owner of my business, www.careers-in-event-planning. com.
Answered by Sirena