How to Become an Event Planner (Event Organiser or Coordinator): Skills, Experience, Certifications and Jobs
How to become an event planner, event organiser or event coordinator
In this article
To become an event planner: build core organisation, communication, budgeting and vendor management skills, gain hands-on experience (volunteering, assisting planners, venue or hospitality jobs), consider education or certifications (hospitality/event management courses, and later credentials like CMP or CSEP), choose a focus (weddings, corporate, social, conferences, festivals), build a portfolio with photos and testimonials, and either join a company or start your own planning business.
What event planners do
Concept and budget, venue sourcing, vendor booking (catering, AV, décor, entertainment), timelines, contracts, guest management, logistics, on-site coordination and post-event reviews (see What does an event planner do?).
Event planner vs coordinator vs organiser
| Role | Focus |
|---|---|
| Event planner | End-to-end planning and design |
| Event coordinator | Logistics and on-the-day execution, often supporting a planner or venue |
| Event organiser | General term, often used for community, festival and conference organising |
| Party planner | Social events: birthdays, showers, celebrations |
Skills you need
Organisation and time management, budgeting, negotiation, communication, creativity, problem-solving under pressure, vendor relationships, tech tools (project management, registration, floor plans). (Develop them: How to improve event planning skills.)
Education and certifications
- Hospitality, event management, marketing or business courses (helpful, not always required)
- CMP (Certified Meeting Professional) for meetings and conferences (requires experience)
- CSEP (Certified Special Events Professional)
- Wedding planning certificates and vendor-specific training
Get experience
- Volunteer at charity events, festivals and conferences
- Assist an established planner
- Work at venues, hotels, caterers or AV companies
- Plan events for friends, clubs or your workplace
- Join industry associations
Build a portfolio
Photos, event outlines, budgets managed, testimonials and a simple website (see How to start an event planning business).
Career paths and pay
Corporate event planner, wedding planner, conference/meeting planner, venue event manager, festival producer, freelance planner. Pay varies by sector, location and seniority; corporate and senior roles generally pay more.
Becoming a party planner
Start with birthdays and showers for your network, build a styled portfolio, partner with décor and bakery vendors, and offer packages (see How to start a party planning business).
Frequently asked questions
How do I become an event planner?
Develop organisation and communication skills, gain experience through volunteering or assistant roles, consider courses or certifications, build a portfolio and apply for jobs or start freelancing.
Do I need a degree to be an event planner?
Not always; experience and a strong portfolio often matter more, though degrees and certifications help for corporate roles.
How do I become an event coordinator?
Gain logistics experience at venues, hotels or planning firms, develop organisation skills and apply for coordinator or assistant roles.
How do I get into the event planning industry with no experience?
Volunteer at events, assist planners, work at venues or caterers and plan events for your network.
What certifications are good for event planners?
CMP for meetings and conferences, CSEP for special events, and specialised wedding planning courses.
Can event planners work for themselves?
Yes; many build experience then start their own event planning business.
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AI & automation engineer · websites, apps and motion design
I build AI agents, automations, websites, apps and motion design for businesses. These guides answer the questions people actually search, written from hands-on experience building them.
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