Becoming a Wedding and Event Planner in Missouri
Significant events like weddings and large corporate meetings take numerous painstaking hours to plan. Besides coordinating with suppliers and setting up decor, there is also the program flow to write and souvenirs, if any, to prepare. Fortunately, professional wedding and event planners with high levels of expertise can be called on to plan and organize such large-scale events.
With the world constantly finding more and more things to celebrate, event planners are certainly in high demand. If you are outgoing and enjoy planning, communicating with suppliers, delegating tasks and managing different components, wedding and event planning might be the perfect career for you.
What You Need to Become a Wedding and Event Planner in Missouri
As of this writing, there are no official educational requirements needed to work as an event planner in the state of Missouri. However, the two things that would be most helpful in your chosen career path are relevant education and first-hand experience in the field. There are also several essential skills that effective event planners should be capable of, regardless of their education and experience. Some of these skills include:
- The ability to work well and communicate effectively with other people
- A high level of creativity
- Being meticulously detailed
- Excellent organization skills
- Maintaining a calm demeanor even in stressful situations
- The capacity to make quick and effective decisions
Some universities offer courses such as Hospitality and Event Management, Public Relations, Marketing, Communication and Human Resources to help you develop these necessary skills.
Universities That Offer Relevant Education in Missouri
Multiple colleges and universities in Missouri offer practical courses that help aspiring event planners prepare for their field. Here are some institutes and a brief description of each to get you started on your journey:
- Missouri State University in Springfield, MO, offers degrees in Hospitality Management, Communication, Marketing, Public Relations and Human Resources.
- The University of Missouri in Columbia, MO, offers degrees in Hospitality Management, Communication and Human Resources.
- Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, MO, offers degrees in Hospitality Management, Communication, Marketing, Public Relations and Human Resources.
- The University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, MO, offers degrees in Events Management, Communication, Marketing, Public Relations and Human Resources.
Apart from these degrees, there are also numerous online courses you can take to learn how to be an exemplary event planner. Online schools like The QC Event School or the Quincy College Event Planning Program specialize in teaching courses directly related to planning special events like weddings.
Another way to earn valuable knowledge and first-hand experience is by applying for an internship in a well-established wedding or event planning company in your area. It’s also important to dip your toes in the water and get a feel for it first before jumping headfirst into the profession.
Salary and Career Growth of Wedding and Event Planners
Event planners in Missouri make an average hourly wage of $20.55, which is a bit lower than the national wage of $24.79 per hour. Higher-earning event planners, however, can earn up to $34.91 per hour.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there are an estimated 2,600 convention and event planners employed in the state of Missouri as of this writing. The average long-term growth rate for convention and event planners for 2019 to 2029 is at 8 percent, higher than the average growth rate for other professions.
Job Opportunities for Event Planners in Missouri
A couple of important career choices have to be made as a wedding and event planner. You can decide to provide services to clients by creating your own business, or you can work for another company. There are numerous employment opportunities for meeting, convention and event planners in Missouri, especially in larger cities such as Springfield, Kansas, and St. Louis.