Becoming a Wedding and Event Planner in Colorado
Event planning is an exciting career choice. It centers on organizing meetings, making budgets, managing staff, suppliers and dealing with unexpected occurrences.If you are unsure of your abilities, you can start as an intern or volunteer with an event management team and start your agency when you’ve learned the ropes.
Basic requirements for becoming a wedding or Event Planner in Colorado
Event planning requires you to be creative, organized and detail-oriented. You must also understand the client’s tastes and handle negotiations. Here is a brief rundown of some of the activities you will be involved in:
- Planning and managing meetings
- Negotiating with suppliers
- Coordinating staff and contractors
- Providing stellar customer service
- Interacting with guests to get feedback
- Providing cost estimates to clients
- Having basic computer skills
If you are looking to work for big event management agencies or hoping to land big clients, experience is a must.Potential clients will ask for references and reviews to gauge the quality of your work.
Educational Programs in Colorado
Academic qualifications are not a must when it comes to practicing as an event planner in Colorado. However, some qualifications will help you impress potential clients and employers. a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Hospitality Management, Hotel and Restaurant Management or Human Resource Management is often an excellent place to start.
A high school diploma or GED is an alternative for those who do not have a degree. However, you have to augment it with experience in event management or any related industry. If you’re looking for some educational training, consider the following programs from institutions in Colorado.
- Colorado Mountain College, Glenwood Springs. The institution offers a certification program in hospitality operations. You can go for an Associate’s Degree in Resort Management or a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration focusing on Resort Management.
- Arapahoe Community College. Located in Littleton, this college offers a certificate in event management. Topics include Staff Management, Community Entertainment and Meeting Planning.
- Emily Griffith Technical College. This public school offers a 42-credit event planning program. An internship is required before you can earn your certificate.
- John and Wales University. This University in Denver offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Sports, Entertainment and Event Management.
- Metropolitan State College of Denver. Located in downtown Denver, this school offers a Bachelor of Arts degree program in Hospitality, Tourism and Events.
Certifications for an Event Planner
Your success as an event planner depends on how well you can market yourself and your services. Certifications can help you stand out, increase your networking opportunities and impress potential clients and employers. Here are a few to consider:
- Global Business Travel Association (GBTA).The GBTA offers two certifications: the Global Travel Professional (GTP) and the Certified Meeting Management (CMM). The CMM is relevant to event planners.
- Meeting Professionals International (MPI).This body of event planners offers two certificates relevant to the event planning industry: the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) and the Certified Meeting Management (CMM).
Salary expectations for event planners
A career in event planning is financially rewarding. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average mean wage for wedding and event planners in Colorado is $52,610. Top earners earn an average of $84,940 yearly. in contrast, those starting at the entry-level might earn about $28,970.
Wedding and event planning can be a rewarding, satisfying position for people who want to help others coordinate their dream event from scratch. The satisfaction of giving your client their dream wedding or birthday is unmatched in other industries because you help bring everything together. With some effort and deliberation, you can enjoy a lucrative and rewarding career that brings people together.