If you’ve been exploring a career change that involves becoming an event planner, you’re in for an incredible entrepreneurial experience! There’s so much to love about life as a New York event planner. But there’s also a lot to learn. We’ve compiled a quick reference list of the most frequently asked questions about becoming a NYC event planner with answers to help provide you with insights on your journey.
1. What do you need to know before officially becoming an event planner?
There are some core competencies that all successful planners have. See how you rate in these key areas to see if you have what it takes to become a New York event planner.
- Strong organizational skills
- Effective communication skills
- Comfortable networking and selling
- Genius problem-solving skills
- Negotiation and budgeting skills
2. What are the most important characteristics of a successful NYC event planner?
All successful event planners will have a shortlist of must-have characteristics to suggest as an answer to this question. But most will agree the following are deal-breaker important to consider.
- Patience
- Grace under pressure
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Unbridled creativity
3. What are the top challenges event planners face right now?
Some event planning challenges are more prevalent than others, but there will always be a hurdle to jump. And most veteran event pros say your ability to bob and weave and contingency plan will ultimately determine your ability to be successful long term. Here are just a few of the regular obstacles that New York event planners often face so you can prepare.
- Budget constraints and event spending
- Finding and booking the best venues
- Coordination of event vendors and event staff
- Last-minute event changes
- Landing new event clients and sales
4. What other tasks are involved with event planning besides booking vendors?
When you’re an event planner professionally, you’ll essentially meet with your event clients and gather details about their event preferences and needs. Then, it’s your job to bring that vision to life with an in-person, hybrid, or virtual event that is memorable and engaging. This means you’ll manage lofty to-do lists and expectations that include:
- Liaising with event vendors
- Setting timelines and itineraries
- Charting out a budget with your client
- Scouting event sites and touring/sampling
- Planning food and lodging for event invitees
- Arranging transportation and/or hospitality
- Selecting a theme, designs, audiovisual, branding, etc.
- Planning various activities and event entertainment
- Setup, facilitation, cleanup, and follow up
5. What are the different types of events a New York event planner curates?
If you’re just starting out, consider niching your event services to just one or a few types of events. You can always expand and grow as you get confident and build your New York network of vendors and partners. Choose from any of these types of events that tend to have greater demand.
- Corporate events
- Product launches
- Company team-building events
- Fundraisers
- Galas and charity balls
- Fashion shows
- Bar/bat mitzvahs
- Weddings, engagement parties, and rehearsal dinners
- Anniversary parties and milestone birthday parties
- Family reunions or retirement parties
- Trade shows and conferences
6. What certificates or educational courses are recommended for event planners?
You can earn Bachelor’s or Master’s degrees in event management or hospitality sectors. And there are certification programs through the various national and international events industry associations, too. Here are just a few of those certificate programs to consider adding to your roster of credentials.
- CMP Certification
- CSEP Certification
- CPCE Certification
7. What is the average or basic salary of an event planner in New York?
Depending on your event planning niche and business plan, starting out as a solopreneur event professional can range in earnings from $54,000 to $110,000 annually, with an average of around $84,184. Working as an entry-level event coordinator for an existing New York firm can pay anywhere from $21 to $45 per hour, based on experience. It’s a lucrative industry and is expected to continue scaling in size in the decades to come.
If you have more questions about becoming an event planner in New York City, you should definitely come to The Event Planner Expo 2023. It’s the premier event for the events industry and spans three full days. There are educational experiences, keynote speakers, fireside chats, high-energy networking opportunities, and the trade show floor exhibitors. Immerse yourself in the industry and among the experts who can (and will) answer all your burning questions about the event planning life. Get your VIP Educational tickets today!
