What it takes to become an event planner

Summary

In this video, Billy Bowie, founder of Elevate Experiences, shares essential skills for becoming a successful event planner. Drawing from over 20 years of experience, he highlights four key abilities: staying organized, being flexible and prepared for the unexpected, thinking quickly on your feet, and building a strong professional network. Billy provides practical tips like creating contact sheets, using checklists, and preparing backup plans. The video empowers aspiring planners, emphasizing that passion and dedication are more important than inherent traits, and offers resources like a free event planning checklist to help viewers confidently launch their event planning careers.

Takeaways

• 😀 Successful event planning requires mastering multiple skills, not just one type of personality.
• 😀 Organization is crucial: keep track of every detail to prevent anything from falling through the cracks.
• 😀 Creating and sharing a contact sheet with your team ensures everyone can access key vendor and client information.
• 😀 Use an event planning checklist, ideally broken down into a timeline, to stay organized from start to finish.
• 😀 Flexibility and preparation for unexpected events are essential; always have backup plans ready.
• 😀 The concept of 'flex IK' emphasizes both planning ahead and adapting on the spot when situations change.
• 😀 Being quick on your feet is critical: practice problem-solving for last-minute issues and surprises.
• 😀 Mock scenarios and thinking through worst-case situations can strengthen your adaptability skills.
• 😀 Networking is a vital skill: building relationships with clients, vendors, and industry contacts increases visibility and credibility.
• 😀 Persistence and passion for connecting people and organizing events are key indicators of success in the event industry.
• 😀 If certain skills don’t come naturally, deliberate effort and practice can help you grow in those areas.
• 😀 Leveraging recommendations and referrals from your network helps establish yourself as a top choice in a competitive market.

Q & A

What are the four key skills needed to succeed as an event planner?

The four key skills needed to succeed as an event planner are organization, flexibility, quick thinking, and networking.

Why is organization critical for an event planner?

Organization is crucial for an event planner because you are responsible for managing hundreds of details. Having a structured plan helps ensure nothing falls through the cracks and allows you to manage the event efficiently.

What are two tips for staying organized as an event planner?

1. Create a contact sheet and share it with your team, so everyone has access to key information. 2. Use an event planning checklist, ideally with a timeline, to help track tasks and deadlines.

How can being flexible benefit an event planner?

Flexibility helps event planners deal with unexpected changes, such as last-minute vendor cancellations or weather issues. It ensures you are prepared to adapt quickly and keep the event running smoothly.

What does the term 'flex ik' mean in event planning?

'Flex ik' is a term used to describe the ability to plan and prepare as much as possible but also to remain adaptable. It encourages having a back-up plan (Plan B) and even a Plan C, while being ready to improvise if things go wrong.

Why is it important to be quick on your feet as an event planner?

Being quick on your feet helps you solve problems that arise unexpectedly during the event. Whether it’s dealing with a last-minute issue or managing an unexpected change, quick thinking is essential to keeping things on track.

What strategy can help improve the ability to think quickly during an event?

You can improve quick thinking by practicing strategic problem-solving. For example, simulate scenarios with friends and think through potential solutions to anticipate problems and become more comfortable with fast decision-making.

How does networking play a role in an event planner's success?

Networking helps event planners build relationships with vendors, clients, and other industry professionals. It’s essential for gaining recommendations and referrals, which can make you a top choice in a competitive industry.

What are some ways to expand your network as an event planner?

You can expand your network by attending industry events, building strong relationships with vendors and clients, and asking for referrals or testimonials. Being active in your local event planning community also helps build your reputation.

What should you do if you find some of the key skills for event planning don’t come naturally to you?

If key skills don’t come naturally, you should make a conscious effort to develop them. For example, focus on learning organizational techniques, practicing flexibility, and improving problem-solving through mock scenarios. With dedication, these skills can be cultivated.