Becoming a successful event coordinator is easy if you put in the work and have the right personality for the job.
Today, everyone has an event that they need help planning. Whether it is for a wedding, a birthday party, a work-related event, a fund raiser, or some other special gathering, event coordinating is quickly growing into a sought-after profession. Becoming a successful event coordinator is relatively simple if you put in the time and hard work and have the right personality to fit the job.
Instructions
1. Complete high school, and while in high school become a member of some sort of board that organizes events, such as the Homecoming or Prom Committee, to gain experience in planning community functions.
2. Earn a bachelor's degree in event coordination, marketing, advertising, public relations, hospitality administration, business or communications. While in college, become a member of a board that allows you some hands-on experience planning events, such as the campus' student union.
3. Become certified as a Certified Meeting Professional through the Convention Industry Council. You must have experience managing meetings, and you will be expected to take a written exam. Consider a graduate degree in meeting or hospitality management in order to continue your education in event coordinating and improve your resume. A Master's degree is not required for event coordinating, but it will help your professionalism.
4. Make calls to local venues, distributors, caterers, decorators, music groups, florists, bakeries and other party- or event-related companies. Explain that you are building your business as an event coordinator and ask to do use each company's business information for your business. When you obtain the consent of a company, gather as much information directly from its own printed resources, or compile a sheet with information. Place all information regarding a business or service in a binder that is well-organized for your customers' perusing.
5. Have business cards created to drop off at local vendors and to give to potential customers. Include name, contact information, certifications or business name.
6. Meet with clients and customers in a setting that will provide a professional atmosphere. Choose a place where your customer will be comfortable explaining what he wants for his event, and be sure to choose a location where conversation can be kept at a comfortable volume, such as no loud places, or places where you will receive constant interruption. Make detailed notes of the description of the event to be planned.
7. Find a price range for your clients. Call your vendors from your binder and find the businesses that have services that will fall into the price range of your clients. Bring all relevant information to a future meeting with your clients, and when something is approved for the event, book it immediately with the business that offers the service.
8. Keep the customers and businesses involved informed of any decision made throughout the process. Check with your clients to make sure that all aspects of the event are to their liking. Be sure to keep notes of the event and how it goes.
9. Have satisfied businesses and customers write up referrals and comments regarding your performance to add to your binder. Quality performance reviews will help to promote future business. Be sure to leave business cards with satisfied customers so that they will be able to refer friends and family members to your service easily.
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