The event planning industry is the fastest growing business all over the world. It is a kind of business that is well recognized and very lucrative. You too can become a successful event planner in Nigeria.

This involves having experience in the field and knowledge of the business before you start. Being an event planner could be rewarding though stressful, but when you adapt you find it easier.

The event planning duties involves catering, getting familiar with event, production, entertainment, transportation, decorating of halls, planning conferences, birthdays, rental equipment and so on. knowing the right steps to take would give you a broad knowledge of how to start.

Understand The Duties Of An Event Planner

Event planning, is more than just planning for wedding and birthday parties. You need to have a broad knowledge of the business first before you operate among many other competitors who already exist in this line of business.  Associating with already-existing event planners, doing non-profitable works for them when they have events. Obtaining a professional certificate in hotel management, public relations, and marketing can also be an added advantage.

1. Acquire Experience

Engaging yourself in activities by participating in events, going out with the ‘GURUS’ in the business, taking part as a volunteer in what they do, such as, decorations, catering and so on. The more time you spend with them the more advanced your skills and experience become. This would develop you and give you a perfect knowledge on how to run the business.

2. Be Organized

To become a successful event planner, you need to be properly organized. You should outline your events and put them in schedules as they come, by so doing, it makes it easier for you to get prepared for upcoming events. When you are unorganized, planning an event could be a hitch.

Getting yourself prepared should be the first thing you should have in mind in order to get the best result for your job. Being organize includes.

• • Having a well scheduled plan for upcoming events

• • Always keep to dates and times of upcoming events

• • You should be known for consistency

• • Make arrangement of space for upcoming events

• • Contact people that would be needed on ground for the events e.g musicians, security e.t.c

• • Make reservation of halls or space needed.

3. Be Specific

There are different types of event planning, examples are; wedding planners, corporate events planners, sports event planners, and so on. Having a general knowledge about the industry would make you decide on which area you want to specialize.

4. Be Creative

As an event planner, it is good to be very creative, creating new ideas of how an event should be planned.For instance, decoration; your client may give you a particular choice of decoration and you present a plan which surpasses theirs. This makes your clients count on you whenever there is an event, and even market you to a new client through “word of mouth”

5. Network

Working with established event planner as a volunteer gives you an exposure and the chance to meet clients of your own. Getting familiar with people from different walks of life will help you to interact well and make them understand what you can offer. Create a good relationship with new vendors to work with and help them to plan their budget for their events. Here are ways you can also network.

• • Gather information about vendors and their addresses

• • Contact your vendor to remind them of upcoming events you want to help them plan for

6. Create a Website

Make a website that would carry your business name  showcase photos or pictures of events you have handled in the past,  update them from time to time . By so doing, you will create awareness. This helps to promote your business and allow people to contact you for upcoming event.

7. Always Have a Plan B

As you are planning an event, always have a backup plan. Sometimes, things can go wrong on the day of the event, you can always fall back on your plan b and it would help you.  Also you are sure of a successful event without any odds at the end of the day.

8. Communication is Important

This is an  important part, always carry your team along, for them to know their duties and roles assigned to them,  because there might be a new development in a particular role an individual plays, he or she should be informed about it. Always have meetings with them about how they can get prepared for upcoming events. Also talk to them  about your vision and ideas.