How to Become a Corporate Event or Wedding Planner
- 1). Earn a college degree in marketing, communications, public relations or advertising. Take courses including consumer behavior, market research, economics and accounting to build business administration and management skills. Enroll in an event and meeting planning, or wedding consultant certificate program if cost and time constraints prevent you from investing in a two- or four-degree.
- 2). Apply to entry-level positions with hotels, country clubs, churches or private industry companies. Work on different aspects of corporate planning — venue research, internal and external communications, on-site coordination and follow-up activities — to acquire enough experience for promotion to a more senior position. Become a bridal consultant or wedding coordinator for a resort, department store, or bridal shop, for example, if you want to learn all aspects of the wedding business.
- 3). Attend industry events and conferences for corporate planning or wedding consultant professionals to build your network and customer base. Start gathering contact information for vendors, colleagues, clients and referrals. Schedule regular lunches and meetings to trade industry practices and keep abreast of the latest trends in the sector.
- 4). Develop your “soft” and “hard” skills. Hone your organizational and financial management skills by maintaining a calendar, monitoring budgets, and creating schedules and checklists. Familiarize yourself with software and Internet tools that assist professional corporate and wedding planners with their daily tasks.
- 5). Create a resume and portfolio that displays your work in the corporate planning or wedding planning field. Get permission from clients to use them as references or for testimonials to draw client prospects. Consider obtaining a professional designation as a Certified Wedding Planner or Certified Meeting Professional to distinguish yourself from other corporate and wedding planners.
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