what postsecondary course of study is needed for an event planner

by Bradley Zieme 5 min read

Generally, professionals are required to earn a bachelor's degree in meeting and event management. Some of the courses that students may complete in these programs include human resource management, event sales and sponsorships, financial accounting, agreement negotiating, and relationship management.Feb 17, 2022

Full Answer

What degree do you need to be an event planner?

In the end, event planners with bachelor’s degrees in hospitality along with the Certified Meeting Professional credential will ultimately have the best career prospects. Experience with social media and virtual meeting computer software are also advantageous. What degree should I get for medical school?

What are the job prospects of an event planner?

Applicants can increase their job prospects if they have hospitality experience and experience with social media outlets and virtual meeting software. Event planner positions often fluctuate with the economy, and an economic downturn leads to fewer events and fewer planning jobs. Event planners spend time both in and out of their offices.

Which college has the best event planning program?

Best Colleges for Event Planning Degree Programs 2018 1 Iowa State University -. The top university in our rankings is a public co-educational college ... 2 University of Central Florida +. 3 College of the Ozarks +. 4 Central Michigan University +. 5 Lasell College +. Students who study event management and hospitality-related coursework in ...

How can I get an entry-level event planner job without formal education?

Although you may be able to get an entry-level event planning job without formal education, it could limit your chances for career growth. Education: Many event planners earn at least a bachelor's degree in hospitality management or a related major.

What should I study for event planning?

To become an event planner, you will typically need a Bachelor's Degree in Business, Communications, Public Relations, Marketing or Hospitality Management. Individuals without a degree may qualify for an entry-level position, but they should have at least one to two years of experience in the field.

What is the best major for an event planner?

The most popular majors for aspiring event planners are hospitality and tourism management. Other common areas of study include: business. communications.

What should I major in college?

Top 10 College MajorsComputer Science. ... Communications. ... Government/Political Science. ... Business. ... Economics. ... English Language and Literature. ... Psychology. ... Nursing.More items...

What degree I need to be a event manager?

bachelor's degreeGenerally, an event manager is expected to hold a bachelor's degree at least. Only a few colleges offer event management degrees, however. Hence, most hold a degree in business management, business, or communications. Others have completed additional courses in hospitality, event management, and/or meetings.

How long does it take to get an event planning certification?

Most online event certifications can be completed in less than a year and offer career-ready training so you can begin working right away.

What is corporate event planning?

Corporate Event Planning. Corporate event planners are more likely to work for an existing company or corporation, but you can also start your own corporate event planning business. In this role, you’ll focus on events such as product launches, holiday parties, internal and external social events, conferences, and more.

Can you study on your own schedule?

You’ll study on your own schedule and at your own pace, submit ting assignments as you go without worrying about strict deadlines or exams. QC allows you to study with digital and physical materials, and you can access all of your course books, videos, and assignments in the Online Student Center at any time.

What degree do I need to become an event planner?

In order to become an event planner, you must have a related bachelor’s degree. Event planning, along with conventional and meeting planning, has become somewhat more complicated.

How to become an event planner?

Along with training, hands-on experience is critical to landing a position as an event planner. Employers will typically require a minimum of one year related work experience if you possess a non-hospitality degree – for instance, a catering coordinator. Actually, hospitality degree programs usually include internships as a part of the requirements for graduation. Whether or not you are specifically majoring in hospitality, you can easily get experience by working or volunteering on campus or special community events. For instance, you could help prepare and serve at alumni association meetings and student award dinners.

What is the career outlook for event planners?

According to BLS, the career outlook for event planners will multiply by 45% between now and 2020 – much quicker than the average career. As meetings continue to gain momentum in each type of organization, new jobs will continue to open up. Because a career as an event planner is so attractive to numerous people, career competition will be intense. In the end, event planners with bachelor’s degrees in hospitality along with the Certified Meeting Professional credential will ultimately have the best career prospects. Experience with social media and virtual meeting computer software are also advantageous.

What is an event planner?

Event planners are responsible for arranging all the details relative to special occasions such as professional conferences or weddings. They must have the ability to keep their composure under extreme pressure and demonstrate strong interpersonal ...

How to advance in event planning?

Advancing in event planning frequently depends on your personal work experience and skill sets. You can dramatically improve your prospects by taking classes via certain colleges or professional associations or by volunteering for additional work on the job. Another great way to display your eagerness for advancement is to obtain professional certification. For instance, the Convention Industry Council awards the CMP (Certified Meeting Professional) credential for those planners who meet their requirements of continuing education and experience, and can pass the exam.

How long does it take to get a bachelors in hospitality management?

A bachelor’s degree in hospitality management usually takes about 4 years going full-time and consists of coursework across a variety of disciplines including hospitality, food, and business. For instance, students attending the undergraduate program may take various classes including lodging operations, communication, financial accounting, food production, and nutrition. Additional subjects may include writing, hospitality marketing, human resource management, cost management and analysis, and macroeconomics. If you select a different major, like business, you could possibly include a few of the hospitality and food subjects as electives.

When is the next event planner?

December 12, 2019. May 06, 2020. By Maryalene LaPonsie. Trained and talented event planners are in high demand throughout the hospitality industry. Events are a people-driven business, and directors of resorts, convention centers and other venues need quality candidates to build successful sales and marketing teams.

How many credits do you need to take event management?

Students are required to complete between 21 and 24 credits in event management classes such as conference and meeting planning, special events coordination, global tourism management and similar areas of study. Professional business classes include study in financial accounting, marketing, management and hospitality law.

What is an event planner?

Event planners coordinate the setting, time, budget, food service, transportation and other specifics needed to execute a meeting or event to their client's satisfaction. They may also manage payment to any vendors and other related logistics. While a degree isn't strictly required, most employers look for event planners with postsecondary ...

Why is it important to be an event planner?

For this reason, it's important that you be capable of working effectively with large numbers of people. As an aspiring event planner, you might wish to consider joining athletic, extracurricular or civic organizations at your school or in your community to hone your communication skills.

What do you study as a marketing major?

As a marketing major, you'll study such subjects as world languages, managerial accounting, macroeconomics, sales administration and marketing research. If you want to brush up on your skills, several colleges and universities offer continuing education classes in convention and meeting planning.

Do you need a degree to be an event planner?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), you don't have to have a college degree to break into the field of event planning. You do, however, stand a better chance of getting a position of greater responsibility if you have a bachelor's degree ( www.bls.gov ).

What is an event planner?

Event planners coordinate meetings, parties and other events. They sometimes specialize in a particular type of event, such as weddings, conventions, nonprofit gatherings or corporate meetings.

What degree do you need to be a hospitality planner?

Employers prefer event planners who have a bachelor's degree in hospitality management. A program in this discipline teaches you about management theory and business. You learn how to market your services, manage events and projects and provide customer service. Many hospitality management programs also provide training in nutrition, food preparation, events planning and human resource management.

What is a public relations degree?

A bachelor's degree program in public relations teaches you how to strategically manage communication and relationships. You learn how to advertise your event planning services, meet with new clients, present party and meeting ideas and coordinate projects and events.

What is a marketing bachelors degree?

A bachelor's degree program in marketing will prepare you to determine client needs and translate those needs into a successful event. Coursework provides you with the analytical and creative skills you need to plan an event from beginning to end.

What is a business communication degree?

A bachelor's degree program in business communications prepare s you to effectively communicate with clients and vendors. Through program coursework, you learn to make effective presentations, speeches and sales pitches. This will help you communicate your event plans and ideas.

Hospitality

First on our list is hospitality. The opportunities for an event planner in this field are near limitless, and it brings with it the added benefit of opening up a number of jobs in hotel and restaurant management. These careers complement an event management job quite well, and provide a great fallback if you decide event planning isn’t for you.

Marketing

Next up is marketing. Taking this major will give you a good basis in promotions, and help you develop a business sense for when you decide to open up your own event management firm. On top of that, a background in marketing will help you better understand what’s involved in promoting your event, while better equipping you to keep guests engaged.

Public Relations

Although public relations and marketing are very similar fields, they’re nevertheless distinct enough that I’ve included them here as separate entries. See, marketing is the act of selling a product; PR is the process of improving a brand’s reputation.

Communications

Next up on our list is communications – which might seem like a rather odd choice, given the clear business-oriented bent of the other entries here.

Business Administration

Running an event can be a logistical nightmare – which is precisely why a degree in business administration is so valuable for a budding event planner. Learning business administration will teach you how to better manage a team, while equipping you with the necessary skills to handle the logistical challenges of event planning.

What degree do I need to become an event planner?

In fact, most companies seeking event planners call for an earned bachelor’s degree in business, communications, hospitality management, marketing, or public relations. In some cases, individuals without a bachelor’s degree or those who hold an associate’s degree may qualify for an entry-level event planner position. However, without a degree, employers often ask for a minimum of one to two years of work experience in the field.

What can I do with a bachelor's degree in event planning?

With the proper education and training, you may qualify for a role as an event, convention, or meeting planner. Below are several job opportunities for individuals with a bachelor’s in event planning, or a closely related discipline.

How many job openings are there for event planners?

Of course, for most professionals who choose a career in meeting and event planning, the nature of the work itself is rewarding. Approximately 15,200 job openings for event planners are projected each year, according to BLS. Job openings are expected to result from job transfers and retirements.

How much will the event planner industry grow in 2029?

According to BLS, employment for this occupation is projected to grow eight percent through 2029. The demand for meeting and event planners should remain stable as businesses and organizations prepare to host annual events in the upcoming year.

How much does an event planner make?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), meeting, convention, and event planners earn a median salary of $50,600 per year. The lowest ten percent of earners working in this occupation earned less than $28,590, while the highest ten percent made over $86,000 annually.

How long does it take to become a meeting planner?

To qualify for the CGMP certification, candidates must have worked as a meeting planner for at least one year. Also, candidates must have been a member of the Society of Government Meeting Professionals for at least six months.

What is a convention planner?

A convention planner is responsible for the planning and organizing duties associated with conventions and conferences. Advanced leadership or management roles in this occupation require a four-year degree in business, event planning, hospitality management, or a closely related discipline.

What degrees do event planners have?

The most common degree held by event planners is Event Planning, held by 1% of event planners.

What level of education do event planners have?

Event Planners often have similar levels of education. 51% of event planners have a certificate or associate degree, with the second most common being a bachelor's degree at 41%.

Event planner resources for beginners

A comprehensive list of articles, books, and videos you need to dive into the world of event planners.

What degree do you need to be an event planner?

Education: Many event planners earn at least a bachelor's degree in hospitality management or a related major. Some people who work in this field have degrees in public relations, marketing, communication , and business .

What does an event planner specialize in?

Some event planners may specialize in certain types of events, such as meetings, conventions and trade shows, festivals, parties, or weddings.

How does an event planner work?

Event planners spend time both in and out of their offices. They often travel regularly to event sites and venues in the time leading up to the events and during the events themselves. The work can be fast-paced and demanding since an event planner must coordinate several aspects of an event at once.

What is the job outlook for event planners?

Bureau of Labor Statistics, the outlook for event planners over the next decade relative to other occupations and industries is above the average for all occupations, driven by a strong and continuing demand for professionally arranged events and meetings.

What are the skills required for hospitality management?

In addition to an understanding of hospitality management from a business aspect, you'll increase your chances of success if you have well-developed soft skills, such as the following: 1 Communication skills: Excellent listening, speaking, and writing skills will facilitate your ability to communicate with vendors, event attendees, and staff. 2 Attention to detail: Your ability to notice the most minute details of an event, from the typeface on the invitations to the kind of salad that will be served at the reception, is essential. 3 Coordination: You must be able to work alongside other people and adjust your actions to theirs. 4 Problem-solving: You have to be adept at not only solving problems but maintaining your composure when doing so. 5 Interpersonal skills: The ability to establishing and maintain relationships with vendors is essential and will make your life easier when it is time to plan future events.

What is an event planner?

An event planner structures an event, coordinate all of the moving parts, and makes sure everyone has a good time. Also called convention and meeting planners, they do everything involved in making sure these events go smoothly, including choosing locations, hiring caterers, entertainment, and other vendors.

Can I become an event planner without formal education?

Although you may be able to get an entry-level event planning job without formal education, it could limit your chances for career growth.