Overview:
It takes a very specific type of person to become an event planner. It's an industry where experience matters less than your ability to think things through logically and solve problems quickly, on your feet. There are certain, inherent personality traits and professional aptitudes that just can't be taught, but which are essential to become a great event planner. However, you most likely already have established, on some level, that you possess these qualities, or else you wouldn't be interested in pursuing such a career!
Characteristics:
1) To be extremely organised
2) A multi- tasker- Your mind must be able to "switch gears" at any given time without notice, and remember to complete every detail of every task.
3) Great at time management
4) Problem solver- You must be able to see a problem, work it through calmly in your head, and think through to find the most logical, economical, and all-around-best solution.
5) Creative- Are you able to come up with concepts that continually "wow" your clients, time after time, year after year?
6) People Person
7) Customer service oriented- it's all about the client and the attendees, not you. You need to do whatever it takes to get the job done. you need to have a never ended sense of customer service, or else your client will go elsewhere.
8) Eloquent at speaking or writing- You must be able to convey your ideas, thoughts, and opinions in a clear and concise manner.
9) A good Budgeter
Top 5 Qualities of the successful event manager
Statistically here is what the majority agreed on:
Chris Catoggio – Independent Event Services Professional says:
1. Great people skills. You must be communicative, understand what the client is looking to achieve and convey that concept when selecting and negotiating with vendors.David Schenberg – CEO Busy Event – a div. of Panamedia says:
2. Organized. The event manager needs to coordinate a number of responsibilites and manage many teams simultaneously.
3. Flexibility. In any event, things can and will change with a moments notice. The event manager needs to be able to, for lack of a better word, PUNT.
4. Responsibility. Regardless of what goes right and what goes wrong, the success of an event, and all it’s coordinates, is the managers responsibility.
5. Enthusiasm and passion. They bring about creativity and generates excitement. Maybe, this should be #1!
1. Treats everyone as a peer and with respect.. even under pressure
2. A level of experience that allows the client to sleep at night
3. Ability to diffuse an explosive situation
4. Extensive network of trusted professionals they can count on
5. Active exploration and listening skills that translate into critical knowledge
Kevin R. Johnston, CMP – CEO, Advantage Event Group says:
1) Blackbelt Contract Negotiator – Ultimately, the event measurement is two fold, satisfaction and budget. A great event with superior satisfaction is often viewed as unsuccessful when the finances are all in.
2) Must have a huge rolodex – you cant me a master craftsman in all areas. Having the ability to assemble the right players that will deliver consistently is a must.
3) Must be respected – if a producer is not respected by his boss, peers and contractors, the results may be good, but never great.
4) Must double as a janitor or fireman – often, dealing with cleaning up messes and putting out fires is part of the job. Quickly, quietly and efficiently. Get it done, then get bact to the task at hand.
5) Passionate – if it is just a job or a paycheck any event planner will be viewed as average. The passion to make it more productive, more exciting ,more more more is what drives this business. Other wise we’d all be eating on white table cloths with votive candles and parquet dance floors.
Dare to be different, take calculated risks and make sure that you have a great team that has your back (and you theirs).
Anuroopa Banerjee Gupta – Marketing Communications expert says:
1. Plans for the best -is well prepared for the worst and equipped to turn around the worst to the best advantage
2. Excellent interpersonal skills
3. Is a great negotiator
4. Has excellent time management capabilities.
5 Is a driven go getter, self motivated and never crumbles under pressure
Greg Ruby, CASE CEM CMP – Experienced Event Management Specialist – Baltimore Convention Center says:
1) Be detail-oriented, but don’t sweat the small stuff. Focus on the more important items with the bulk of your work, but do a cursory check on the less important items.Salary:
2) Never let them see you sweat! Always remain cool, calm & collected when dealing with other people, while you may be a bundle of nerves on the inside.
3)Have a sense of humor. We are not talking rocket science here. Have fun with the work and the peope you work with, and in most cases they will want to work with you again in the future.
4) Be well connected. You can’t do it all and are going to need help. Have names in your rolodex of people who can help you.
5) Think outside the box. Just because it has always been done that way doesn’t mean that it still has to be done that way. Take risks and be bold.
According to data from Salary.com in March 2010, the national average base salary for an event planner falls between $47,000 and $64,000 per year.
References:
1) http://www.careers-in-event-planning.com/event-planner-checklist.html
2) http://www.eventmanagerblog.com/event-management/top-5-qualities
3) http://eventplanning.about.com/od/eventcareers/qt/salary.htm
4) http://www.ehow.com/about_5300850_salary-range-event-planners.html
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