The Everything Guide to Being an Event Planner: Insider Advice on Turning Your Creative Energy into a Rewarding Career

by Jennifer Mancuso

Overview

Do you love throwing parties? Are you the most organized person you know? Can you thrive in a fast-paced environment? If so, event planning could be your perfect career choice! Seasoned event planner Jennifer Mancuso helps you to get started and succeed in this exciting field.

This book's insider tips and step-by-step guidance will teach you how to:

• Tailor events to each client - from a corporate dinner to an intimate wedding
• Market and network to keep business coming
• Hire vendors that your client will love
• Build a great reputation in your area and beyond

Whether you've recently earned a hospitality degree or are simply looking for a fun career change, The Everything Guide to Being an Event Planner will help you break out of the routine and start a new, creative endeavor-one celebration at a time!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781605502267
Publisher:	Adams Media
Publication date:	11/01/2007
Series:	Everything® Series
Sold by:	SIMON & SCHUSTER
Format:	eBook
Pages:	304
File size:	697 KB

About the Author

Jennifer Mancuso has been a restaurant and event-planning professional for more than seventeen years. She has held jobs ranging from restaurant management and high-end catering to management of a bed and breakfast in Napa Valley. Mancuso is the marketing and special events coordinator for the Beehive in Boston, MA. She lives in Boston.

Table of Contents

Top Ten U.S Cities for Event Planning     x
Introduction     xi
An Introduction to Event Planning     1
What Is Event Planning?     1
Important Characteristics     2
Helpful Experiences and Specialties     4
Why Clients Use Event Planners     10
Is Event Planning for You?     11
How Events Are Born     13
Determining the Client's Needs     13
Types of Events     14
Creativity and Individuality in Events     17
The Event Planning Formula     22
Beginning the Planning Process     25
How to Get Started     27
Obtaining a Salaried Position     27
Starting Your Own Business     30
Getting Paid     34
Bonus Programs     35
Interviewing Other Planners and Potential Clients     36
Breaking Into the Business     39
Degree Programs     39
Internships and Co-ops     42
Volunteering     44
Stagier Programs     44
Staff Member and Specialty Training     45
Where to Find Event Planner Positions     47
The Role of an Event Planner     51
Gaining Your Client's Trust     51
Anticipating Your Client's Needs     54
Managing an Event     56
Cohosting an Event     56
Honesty Is a Virtue     58
Organization     61
Filing Systems     61
Calendars     63
Clipboards     65
Photocopy Everything     66
Organizing Folders     67
Double-Checking Invoices     68
The Key to Being Thorough     70
Establishing and Maintaining Relationships     71
The Client Relationship     71
Handling Subclients     76
Establishing Good Vendor Relations     78
Repairing a Relationship with a Vendor     80
Nurturing Staff Relationships     82
Considering Other Contacts to Make     83
Marketing     85
Letters of Reference     85
Business Cards and Collateral Materials     86
Advertising     89
Press Coverage     91
Hosting an Event for Event Planners     92
Collaborating with Industry Members on Events     94
Networking     97
Business Bureaus     97
Volunteering Your Time for Fundraisers     99
Meeting with Other Event Planners     101
Using Your Marketing Dollars Creatively     102
Trade Shows     106
Ethics     109
Accepting Gifts     109
Disclosing Gratuities     110
Ways to Keep Support Staff Honest     112
Conflict Resolution     114
Social Awareness     116
Maintaining a Standard of Professionalism     117
Legal Matters     119
Permits     119
Contracts     120
Insurance     123
Getting Paid     124
References and Background Checks on Vendors     125
References and Background Checks on Your Staff     127
The Client Interview     129
The Importance of Phone Etiquette and Manners     129
Your Availability to Clients     131
The Meet and Greet     134
What to Accomplish in the Initial Meeting     135
Creating an Event Sheet to Gather Details     136
Developing a Task Calendar with Your Client     140
The Proposal, Budget, and Deposits     141
It's All in the Details     145
The Process of Securing a Venue      145
Working with Chefs to Develop a Menu     149
Finding Professionals Who May Enhance the Event     153
Choosing Staff That Will Complement the Event     155
Decorations     156
Extras an Event Planner May Provide     157
Confirming Details with Your Client and Vendors     159
The Final Count     159
Food and Beverage Minimums     161
Itemize All Charges     162
Developing a Timeline     163
Confirming the Menu with Caterer or Client     166
Listing Miscellaneous Information     168
Troubleshooting     170
Final Preparations     173
Five Days Ahead     173
Three Days Ahead     176
One Day Ahead     178
Five to Seven Hours Prior     180
Three to Five Hours Prior     181
One to Two Hours Prior     183
The Event Itself     185
Your Role with the Client     185
Stationing Staff     186
Greeting Guests     190
Taking Precautions     191
Putting out Fires     193
Thinking on Your Feet     194
Security Issues      195
The Follow-Up     197
Calling Your Client     197
Thank-You Notes to Vendors     200
Checking Back with the Venue Manager     201
Going above and Beyond     203
Calendar of Future Events     205
Acknowledge Your Client for Any New Business     205
The Wedding     207
The Venue     207
Securing the Venue     210
Keeping with Tradition     213
Ceremony Details     214
The Personal Touch Couples Look For     215
Details of Planning a Wedding     216
Planning a Wedding in Less than Six Months     219
The Gala     221
What Makes an Event a Gala?     221
Types of Event Planners for a Gala     222
Creating New Aspects of Annual Events     225
Company or Brand Sponsorships     228
Favor Bags     230
Entertainment Ideas     232
Large Casual Events     235
Finding Suitable Venues for Families     235
Creating a Theme     237
Creating a Fun, Approachable Menu     239
Choosing Diverse Entertainment     241
Juggling the Needs of Different Guests      242
Corporate Events and Dinners     245
Securing a Restaurant or Hotel     245
Differences Between Private Rooms and Conference Rooms     247
Securing a Room for a Corporate Event     248
Booking Lodging and Transportation     249
Reserving Supplies and Equipment     251
Guest Speakers     252
Event BEO and Resume     253
An Intimate Dinner     255
The Destination and Details     255
Creating a Three-Plus Course Menu     256
Wine Pairings     258
Place Cards     259
Table Settings     260
Table Etiquette     263
The Cocktail Party     265
Defining a Cocktail Party     265
Setting the Atmosphere     266
Imaginative Plate Ware and Flatware     267
Seasonal Aspects     269
Appetizers, Hors d'oeuvres, and Tapas     270
Specialty Cocktails     272
Wines and Punches     274
Simplifying Labor for the Host     275
Sample Event-Planning Documents     277
Resources     285
Index     286