Do you wonder whether or not it’s important to have an event planning certificate for people to take you seriously or to get started in the events industry – especially when you don’t have a lot of experience?
Let’s say you’re deeply passionate about event planning and all things related to events; you read everything you can get your hands on and spend countless hours surfing the Internet for that one piece of information that’s going to change everything for you.
But…
You’ve never been paid to plan an event nor have you been hired by another event planner or client to plan their events. Is it necessary to get an event planning certificate so you start getting paid to plan events and feel like a professional event planner?
Must I have an event certification to be an event planner?
No.
Obtaining an event planning certification is not necessary to get started, nor will it assure you get hired.
Education is important but without actually planning and managing events, you’re getting little more than theory-based information.
Yes.
Make a list of the areas where you need experience. For example, catering.
Then, create a list of caterers in your area that you’d like to work with and schedule a call or send them an email introducing yourself and letting them know why you’d like to work with them, how you will benefit their business, and what you’d like to gain from the experience.
Note: Most professional event certification programs require you to have 3-5 years of experience before you can apply for their program.
Clients (and employers) typically require event experience before they’ll hire you to plan their events, so it’s important to make a list of the areas where you need experience (for example: catering, floral design, décor, logistics, sales, marketing, etc.), then highlight this experience in your event planning portfolio.
Needing an event planning certificate is a big misunderstanding that many event planners believe is required to break into the industry and to getting hired.
In the comments below, I’d love to hear from you.
What’s your take on getting an event planning certificate? If you’re an established event planner, what did you do to learn and get experience in the event industry?
Please share your story in the comments below.
We love hearing from our community, but links to outside posts and videos are seen as SPAM are deleted 🙂
Thank you, as always, for reading and sharing your experience with our International community.
Let’s say you’re deeply passionate about event planning and all things related to events; you read everything you can get your hands on and spend countless hours surfing the Internet for that one piece of information that’s going to change everything for you.
But…
You’ve never been paid to plan an event nor have you been hired by another event planner or client to plan their events. Is it necessary to get an event planning certificate so you start getting paid to plan events and feel like a professional event planner?
Alternatives to an Event Planning Certificate
That’s exactly what we’re talking about today on EventPlanning BlueprintTV. We’re sharing 2 reasons why you do not need an event planning certificate to be successful, especially when you’re starting in the industry.Must I have an event certification to be an event planner?
No.
Obtaining an event planning certification is not necessary to get started, nor will it assure you get hired.
Education is important but without actually planning and managing events, you’re getting little more than theory-based information.
Find an event planning course that teaches you the basics and gain experience by planning your own events or by working with an event mentor to gain hands-on experience.
Is it more valuable to get experience in sales, marketing or even catering than it is to take a general event certification program.Yes.
Make a list of the areas where you need experience. For example, catering.
Then, create a list of caterers in your area that you’d like to work with and schedule a call or send them an email introducing yourself and letting them know why you’d like to work with them, how you will benefit their business, and what you’d like to gain from the experience.
Note: Most professional event certification programs require you to have 3-5 years of experience before you can apply for their program.
Clients (and employers) typically require event experience before they’ll hire you to plan their events, so it’s important to make a list of the areas where you need experience (for example: catering, floral design, décor, logistics, sales, marketing, etc.), then highlight this experience in your event planning portfolio.
Needing an event planning certificate is a big misunderstanding that many event planners believe is required to break into the industry and to getting hired.
In the comments below, I’d love to hear from you.
What’s your take on getting an event planning certificate? If you’re an established event planner, what did you do to learn and get experience in the event industry?
Please share your story in the comments below.
We love hearing from our community, but links to outside posts and videos are seen as SPAM are deleted 🙂
Thank you, as always, for reading and sharing your experience with our International community.
I am just starting out as an event planner with my own business, so this article gave 2 very important points about the alternatives to getting a certification. I do still feel like there are some basic classes that I want to have under my belt, since I’ve been doing events unofficially for some time.
Education is important and we strongly suggest you learn and improve your skills and knowledge.
I been doing events for a while now. Mainly decorating and event planning in college. I had a former coworker tell me I was not a real event planner because of my lack of educational experience of the industry( note her mother was a event planner). So you can only imagine me searching for this educational experience. Getting the certificate is a give and take. It is good to have one when wanting to go bigger and work with larger clients( like corporate companies) but like stated above its not a guarantee hire. Most people pick event planners based on 3 things…..1.their work and the quality of it.
2. Capturing the vision one is seeking and of course 3. Money. Becoming a event planner is a journey that is constant building and growing in yourself. Getting a certificate for me is more about the skills than the actual paper itself. If the skills behind the certificate is going help my physical work, it’s something to consider. But if only a piece of paper with a fancy planner name on it , I can go without.
Angelia, getting real life experience is key to being an event planner. Many large organizations require a certification, but typically the kind from Certified Meeting Planner’s, and you need 3-5 yrs of experience before you can apply for most professional certifications.
I do disagree with your list of 3 and believe it’s (not necessarily in this order) 1. event experience 2. the relationship you have with the client, and 3. your reliability – do you follow through on your commitments?
I don’t think you need any certification to be an event planner. I’m starting my business and I beleve that experience is the best thing about planner can have. I’ve only had one person ask me if I had a certificate, others wanted to know what types of event I have done. I’m taking your advice and I’m reaching out to other vendors in the wedding industry to try and learn more about, flowers, food cake, even music.
Well done! I’m not surprised most ask about your actual experience. Focus on that and you won’t think twice (nor will your clients) about not having an event certificate!
I’ve been doing event operations for over 16 years. I started out in a Fortune 10 company in NYC helping out on any event I could. I went on to oversee all event operations for a major sports sponsorship with the same company and after I became a mother I’m now doing fundraising events for non-profits.
All of this without “educational background”. It’s about your own level of interest, time willing to invest in learning the ropes and quite honestly, an intuitive sense for events, operations…and details!
Good luck to all of you just starting out!
Couldn’t agree more, and congratulations!
I am very interested in a career change into event planning. I have been following you on youtube for almost 2 years and still afraid on what to do. This blog was a good insight on where to start… I have one question. As a woman dominate industry, what are your thoughts of a straight male getting into the industry? Would it be harder for people to trust our vision and input?
Absolutely not! While the industry is predominantly female, there are many successful male event planners. Colin Cowie, David Tutera and Preston Bailey, to name a few. To help you get started, check out http://howtobeaneventplanner.com
I am very interested in a permanent career change and that would be event planning. I am the one everyone comes to in the family when their is an event going on or coming up. I am talented in different areas of this field. I would like to get more information and stop procrastinating
about getting started. I definitely feel that I have the energy and the talent to get started.
That’s often the way many event planners get started and change their career. Be sure to visit: http://eventplanningblueprint.com/courses/ and let us know if you have any questions about any of our programs. We’re here to help!
Melanie,
Love this article.
Though from personal experience, you do need even 3-5 years experience to get hired. I currently have 2 years so every time I’ve applied at a company, I have been knocked back as I “don’t have enough experience” though how do you get experience if nobody will hire you so you can get experience….
best wishes
Glad you liked it, Aaliyah, and sorry to hear this has been your experience.
While we don’t know your personal story past what info you’ve provided here, we do know many event planners with less experience who are getting hired. In fact, Melanie got started with no clients and built a business in 8 months, Amanda registered for our training program, How to Be an Event Planner, and built her business (and quit her job!) in 4 months. Learn more here about what she said: http://eventplanningblueprint.com/Reviews
We’d be happy to help you figure out why you’re running into trouble, just reach out through email or our contact page and we’ll book a call with you 🙂