How to Become a Event Planner

Being Creative

One of your prime selling points is your creativity. It is the main reason people hire event planners. Your employer or clients expect you to come up with the fresh ideas they can’t. Our job is to deliver the ‘wow’ factor.

This is sometimes easier said than done. And it gets increasingly harder the more events you do for the same client or company. 

So, how do you pump up your creative juices? Where do you find inspiration? How do you stay current with new trends? 

There are many non-conventional sources seasoned professionals look to find ideas. Here are a few places I turn to when I need a boost:

Television and movies

I have picked up so many theme ideas watching movies and television programs I should probably ask my tax man if my cable bill could be a business expense! 

I have used ideas from TV and movies for everything from a Night of the Iguanas party we did at the original film location in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico to a 1950’s Beach Party for a corporate client that was borrowed straight from Elvis’s Blue Hawaii. 

  We’ve created game shows for corporate meetings and team building events – really, who doesn’t want to be a Millionaire? Fabulous themed events have also been created from the Flintstones, Jurassic Park, Field of Dreams and even Forrest Gump (that was a favorite – we went through each of the eras he experienced in the movies – from a John F. Kennedy look-alike to sixties protesters to the wharf serving Bubba Gump Shrimp!).

Even your regular old sitcoms and drama shows can provide a spark now and again. You may find inspiration for a new décor idea or spot a trend on the horizon you can capitalize on now. 

I mentioned the hit show Survivor in the Introduction.  I watched every episode with a pad and pencil! I loved the different ‘challenges’ and the teamwork each required – not to mention the psychological aspects.  The décor was too cool – all the tiki torches and the tribal council area had me sketching designs like crazy.  Even the daily rations of rat, snake and rice gave me terrific new names for my Survivor-inspired menu (imagine, quail could look a little like rat?). I’m in the middle of creating a spin off of this for a corporate client – on a private island in the Cayman Islands. 

Other Events

I love invitations! Time permitting, I try to attend all the parties, fundraisers, parades and festivals I can squeeze in. Only by going to events can you come to understand the event from the guest’s perspective – an important element in your job. 

When you’re at an event, think through all the steps that had to go into the organization. Colors, décor, table placement, registration – note in your mind what you like as well as what doesn’t work and your suggestions for changing it. 

I usually keep a little camera in my car to capture various design ideas I’d like to modify in the future. I also pay attention to the vendors being used – the rental company, caterer, florist and entertainment – to determine if I may want to use them myself in a future event.

In addition, what better place to meet people who may need your services? Many of these events are coordinated in-house, by volunteers or other inexperienced planners. There may be an opportunity for you to sell your services for future events.

This article is an excerpt from the fabjob.com How to Become a Event Planner. Visit www.fabjob.com for information.