I would like to know how to get started in event planning or meeting/conference planning. It seems like they all require previous experience, but how do I get that experience? ((Sigh))
126419
I work in that field and started out as a marketing assistant in a financial services company
132320
I went to teaching conference before I gave my first lesson.  I didn't have to, just felt I should have some training before I start.  Two of the main speakers have articles out almost every month.  They both said what they write and what ends up in print are not the same.  One lost his job when he made the statement in public. \n\nI was so confused after the second day, felt out of place sitting in a room with coat tie and half everyone age.   This was 20 years ago.  I went to a driving range just outside of Austin Texas to check it out.  I started watching this guy give lessons that I could relate to.  Two guys sat behind me and made comments but I didn't turn around.  This guy kept everything  simple.  When the guy behind starting taking he lesson, I realized it was Tom Kite.  I asked his dad what the instructors name was and he said Harvey Penick.  I said Harvey who?\n\nThe PGA is coming up with some volunteer certification programs, I don't think that will solve the problem.  \n\nOne problem no one has prove anything and no checks.  I came unglued one night when I came across a infocomerical with my cart boy in it.  He said he played on the Pepsi Tour and was Teacher of the Year....... I set him to take his PAT the next week and never saw him again.  The PGA section called me and said he shot 115 on the first round, so they sent him packing.
116727
Here are some sites to get you started.  There are so many great sites that I have sometimes spent hours just browsing.  Enjoy, and best of luck with your new job.
598398
You should look into hiring a public relations team. But if you don't have the money for that...\n\nCompanies don't sponsor something unless they KNOW they're getting something in return. What are you giving your sponsors? Media exposure? Clients? \n\nPlay off your connections. Have you met people with contacts at some of the functions you've spoken at? Don't be afraid to use your contacts! \n\nWhat you need to do is have a pretty solid concept of an event you want to hold. Then, TEAM UP with other people. As a single motivational speaker, who I am assuming isn't super-well known (you're not a Dr. Phil, right?) you're going to need to draw more media attention, ie, more people/companies.
184312
Do as much research you can into the company and what your responsibilities will be. Brush up and polish your skills. But relax no one expects you to be perfect....esp. being a newbie.
475055
USBOURNE BOOKS is an ideal start!  If you are interested, I can help you get started!  Please forward an e-mail to me and I would be happy to tell you about this opportunity!!
58939
I have a site that you an request a free book about how to and thingss needed for wedding ? and a book for new mothers about babys and there first 5 years too..\n\ngo to :\nhttp://www.statefarm.com/lifevents/married.htm\n\nNEar the bottom you will see this: For current customers\n(Contact your agent for the login ID and password.)\n\nDon't let the actual planning of the wedding cause you undue stress. Order our Wedding Planner to save you time … and headaches.\nClick on the wedding planner  it will open up ..\nIt will than ask you for your name and password ..\nEnter:\nUser Name: good\nPassword: neighbor \n(WATCH - this is USA spelling)! \n\nHOpe that helps ya out some :)\nHappy Going
106026
I am with Arbonne, and I LOVE it! Do you want to "sell" it, as in retail it or have home parties? Many people have succeeded quite well by giving parties, but my team has chosen not to do that method, because we have found that most people don't have time for them these days. Also, my team has become the fastest growing team in Arbonne's history, doing it this way! \n\nArbonne itself has some wonderful training tools, and my team can supplement what they have to offer, with our own calls, webcasts, etc.\n\nHave you been using the products, and have you already signed up with somebody? I will be more than happy to talk at length with you, if you'd like. Feel free to contact me at the site below!\n\nGood luck with whatever you decide. Arbonne is a wonderful option for anybody!  :-)
178148
I'm doing the same thing!!! Training for the very first time to run a marathon.\nA few of my friends have run marathons the last couple of years and all of them trained with this book (the one I'm using too) "The non-runner's marathon trainer" David A. Whitsett, Forrest A. Dolgener, Tanjala Mabon Kole.\nThis book is based on the marathon class offered by the University of Northern Iowa and all but one student finished the marathon (aprox. 200 people). People of all ages have followed this program.\nI started the pre-training and will be done with it by the end of April. You have to be able to run for 30 min. to start the marathon training which is 16 weeks long.\nGood Luck!!!
141328
1.  Before you start planning, figure out what your objective is.  You wouldn't believe how much energy is wasted on planning without having any clear idea of what you're planning.  Ask questions like "What is the product or output I want to produce?"  "What would success look like in this case?"  "How will I know when I'm done planning?"\n\n2. Once you know what you want to plan, figure out who cares about that thing.  Some people call these the "stakeholders."  That just means the people who have a "stake" in the outcome, the people who are affected by it.  You want to make sure all the stakeholders are involved in your planning, or at least aware of your event.  So if you are planning an AIDS benefit concert, you naturally would put down "the musicians," "the funding organization," and "the volunteers."  But you might also put on the list "the neighbors," "the traffic cops," and "the NGOs working with people living with HIV".\n3. In a big event, no one person can know and control everything.  You MUST have a team, and you must delegate.  List on a piece of paper all the different kinds of tasks that will be needed.  At this point, don't start worrying about solutions to problems, just list the kinds of work needed:  "find venue.  arrange refreshments.  control funds.  raise funds.  rent chairs, tent, sound equipment.  create and sell tickets, advertise event.  security and coordination with the police and fire marshall.  parking.  first aid."  Once you have a big ol' long list, group things into natural committees: Organizing committee. Food.  Treasury.  Public relations.  Health and safety.  Artists.  Volunteers welfare. etc.\n4.  Once you know the kind of volunteers you need, list teh committees, the kind of tasks they will be involved in, and about how many people you need for each.  Print a bunch of copies of this list.  Have a meeting (with refreshments if you can--amazing what a better mood people are in to volunteer if you feed them!) and explain what you hope to accomplish (raise $10,000 for care of local AIDS victims) and how you plan to do it (a benefit concert.)  Go over the kind of work that's needed, and ask for volunteers.  Ask the volunteers right at the start if they will commit to see the event through. If people get offended and drop out, so be it. You're better off with 10 people who really want to do it than 25 who won't show up half the time.\n5. Now your job is to get the committees meeting.  A leader usually emerges for each committee or you can ask them to choose a point of contact.  Make sure you have theeir  names, email, and phone numbers so you can pass info to everyone involved in the effort.\n6. Your job is also to make sure volunteers are getting plenty of warm fuzzies.  Plan ways to say "thank you!" at regular intervals.  Give out pins, baseball caps.  Have a "volunteer of the week" prize for extra effort.  Put up a poster listing the volunteers where others can see it.\n7.  Keep a close eye on the money.  Nice people do dumb things when money is involved.  Donors need to know their money is safe and being used properly.  Report to them regularly on how things are coming along.  Do regular cash counts and keep written records of expenses.\n8. Check your objective from time to time.  Are we still headed in the right direction? \n\nGood luck!
133204
take a breath and create a Plan B. This happened the day before my WEDDING!!!! My outdoor wedding was forecast to rain, and I mean dump rain, all day long. There was no Plan B. So I got all the people I could find eager to help me for the wedding, and we came up with 2 additional places to have the wedding at! \n\nAnother example is I was supposed to go to my employer sponsered school that wouldve givin me a license and a raise. It was a dream. For some reason, another person was chosen over me, despite my qualifications, and I was seriously bummed. A whole year of planning down the drain. That very same day, someone called and said I won a contract to open my own store. It was meant to be. I had applied for this contract the same day my boss was supposed to be signing me up for the school.\n\nSo, be quiet, and think alone. Then if you are not successful, ask certain friends and family to help you brainstorm. Just relax and let fate take its course. Sometimes Plan B is what was meant to be in the first place, and it will feel right.
216786
The problem is that most courses like "Wedding Planning" actually don't lead to any work. In this business it is experience that is A&O. The best two ways to get that experience is to contact a Wedding planner/company in for ex Sidney, tell them that you have a deep desire to do this kind of work, and then ask to do a mounth practice at there office or side-by-side with an experienced planner(that mounth will probebly be unpayed, so you need some savings). If they think you have potential to exceed in that carrer, they might take you on as a wedding-assistant and train you up to be a Wedding Planner. This is by far the best option to get into a very competetive business, and you will bypass LOADS of outher people with "WP-courses" behind them. The outher thing you can do means a lot more work from you from day one, but you don't need to move to do it. Plead with your friends(and even people you used to know from school, but only know by name). Offer to take care of all there arrrangemangs for there wedding-day(for FREE) and tell them they only have to pay for the actual cost of the arrangements, such as the food, the venue, the Church etc, but you give your services for free. This will not only give you a lot of important experience, but if the wedding goes well and smouth, use them as a reference. I can promiss you one thing: If it (the wedding-arrangements) go goes well and the cuple are happy, they will tell there friends and you will get work automatically... but by then you need to charge for your services. Good Luck!!!
33265
Google "professional organizer" and you'll get lots of links to people who do it (whom you can ask for advice) as well as the professional societies (of which there are some).
47642
Most 4 star hotels expect to see previous hotel experience, so I would recommend getting some experience first.  Also, they look for skills related to the position you are applying for, and leadership experience in the positions you list (we're you a shift leader, etc.)
211398
As a former event planner myself, I can offer some practical advice.\n\nYou COULD take classes, but what will be much more valuable is real-life experience.  You need to get hired by someone who is already doing what you want to be doing.  I would recommend Walt Disney World or Disneyland.  They are constantly looking for conventions/special events sales managers (which is their term for "event planner").  What's really cool about working for Disney is that you don't have to go out and find your own clients...you get leads from people that call Disney wanting to have their event there.\n\nOnce you've gained some experience with Disney, you might decide to go off on your own, or you might decide you want to try to advance within the company.\n\nThere are also many other companies that do this, but I'm biased towards Disney because that's the career path I chose.\n\nGood luck!
70098
Try this site - it looks like it may be of help. congrats and goodluck with the planning
376369
I would need to know where you are located before I can suggest who you can contact. If you want, you can contact me so I can point you in the right direction.\n\nAnd good job at keeping a journal!!! That is exactly what I tell most of my clients to do. Once you have found someone to discuss this with, the journal will come in quite handy so you can recall all of the events.