So you have decided to explore the field of Event Planning, but you don't know where to start. Well a good start is to take a course to familiarize yourself with the subject matter.
Have a look at this upcoming Event Planning & Coordination workshop, see if it interests you.
Apart from gaining knowledge and invaluable templates and tools, you need to a key element: real life event planning and/ or coordination experience.
So you may be asking yourself, how do I gain this? How do I get real life experience if I don't have the funds (or need) to plan my own event?
1) By volunteering at events in your community
2) By joining a party planning committee
3) By offering your services to family , friends, neighbours
Volunteering at Events in your Community
Nothing in life is free, but you can get invaluable event planning experience by giving your time and energy to organizations in your community.
Did the church announce that they are having a fundraiser in a few months? Join the planning team.
Is your neighbourhood planning a Toy Drive for Christmas? Volunteer to help plan it!
See a not for profit organization doing a series of beach clean ups? Attend one, meet the people and find out how you can get involved in the planning of future clean ups and other events.
Don't worry about persons seeing you as "being pushy" many of these organisations in the community are spread thin and would gladly welcome aboard additional help.
Shy? Bring a gal or guy friend along!
By Joining a Party Planning Committee
This one is very specific, and will not appeal to everyone. But if you are into clubbing, parties, fetes, etc then this may be a good option for you. Joining a party planning committee can usually be done if you know one of the committee members, or if the committee is a local one based in your community.
However, you'd have to make sure you don't just end up selling tickets, and that you gain access to the core committee where the actual planning is done.
You'd want to go along on site visits, witness negotiations and hiring of event vendors, and on the day of the event you'd want to be going along to ensure the tents were set up correctly.
By offering your Event Planning services to family, friends, neighbours, coworkers
This is a fun way to build your portfolio!
Is your cousin having a baby? Offer to help her plan her baby shower.
Your work lunch buddy's birthday is coming up and he wants to have a small shindig? Tell him you'd be happy to help.
You get to work alongside someone you know and gain experience in budgeting, site visits, hiring event service providers and day of the event coordination.
You can get their permission to take photos of elements you worked on so you can build a portfolio to show your future prospective clients.
So you see, gaining real life Event Planning experience doesn't have to be a hassle. All it takes is the courage to let others know that you are trying to gain experience, and willing to trade your time and energy to do so.
Organizations in your community such as schools, churches and NGOs are usually in need of additional assistance and would welcome a willing soul and an extra pair of hands.
Party planning committees may not be for everyone, but if you happen to know people in an existing committee and you enjoy the party vibes then its a great ( and fun) way to get an unfiltered look into the world of event planning.
Don't overlook your friends, relatives and colleagues as sources of great event planning experience. By offering to help them plan events to celebrate their special occasions, you are not only benefitting from the experience gained, but you are also saving them time and money, and making the experience much less stressful.
Interested in learning more? WhatsApp 494 3328 for the upcoming Event Planning & Coordination Course Information Package ( Cost, class dates and times, payment plan)
Very useful information. Thank you 😊