How to Become a Wedding and Event Planner in Nebraska
If you like the idea of orchestrating memorable events like weddings, festivals or corporate meetings, a career in event planning could be for you. Event planning is an exciting and rewarding career that comes with many opportunities. However, due to the stressful nature of the job and the multiple details that you need to coordinate at once, it can seem daunting for those who do not have experience. If you’re detail-oriented, well organized, confident, articulate, and love making dreams come true, you could have what it takes to succeed in this industry. If you’ve made up your mind and are looking to get started, read on to familiarize yourself with the Wedding and Event planning industry in Nebraska.
Requirements and Useful Skills
There are no required qualifications to work as an event planner in Nebraska, but there are a few skills you’ll need. Event planning is highly pressurized, with extended hours and late nights. You’ll need the skills to turn your clients’ ideas into reality, which means understanding what they want and expressing yourself clearly. Excellent communication and organization skills are essential! You’ll also need to be confident working with and directing large numbers of people. Experience working in hospitality, communications or public relations will be helpful, as will any experience running or working on successful events.
Education and Training Opportunities
A degree is helpful when setting yourself up in business, and event planning is no exception. If you’re interested in studying for a degree in Nebraska, Universities.com lists the following four colleges as providing the best Business Administration, Hospitality Management, and Public Relations courses in the state:
- The University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln: Business Administration, Hospitality Management, Public Relations
- Bellevue University, Bellevue: Business Administration, Public Relations
- Hastings College, Hastings: Hospitality Management
- The University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha: Business Administration
Other degree courses explicitly aimed at those who want to work in event planning include:
- Recreation, Outdoor and Event Management, The University of Nebraska at Kearney
- Minor in Event Management, The University of Nebraska at Kearney
- Event Management Emphasis, The University of Nebraska-Lincoln
If you’re not ready to dive into a degree, taking a shorter course can be an excellent way to get a feel for the event planning industry. The following courses are available online:
- Event Planning Suite from Northeast Community College, Norfolk
- (CWEP) offered by The Wedding Institute and other providers
- QC Event Planning courses including wedding and corporate event planning
- American Association of Certified Wedding Planners (AACWP) offer online or in-person training
Additionally, Metropolitan Community College, Omaha, offers an in-person, non-credit course in Event and Wedding Planning. You could also try Event Planning Training in Omaha, a one-day course from Mangates.
Suppose you’ve been working in hospitality, events, communications, or public relations for a while or have a degree in any of these areas. in that case, you may be able to take a professional certification. Certification is a great way to showcase your skills, stand out from the crowd and advance your career.
- Event Planning Specialist Certification (CEPS)
- Certified Meeting Professional (CMP)
- Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP)
- Certified Professional in Catering and Events (CPCE)
Salary Expectations and Career Outlook in Nebraska
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that Meeting, Convention and Event planners in Nebraska earn an annual mean salary of $46,310, which is below the national average of $55,890. The good news is that the cost of living in Nebraska is generally below the national average, from 0.5% below in North Platte to 9.2% below in Norfolk. As well as being an affordable place to live, Nebraska has one of the highest employment rates in the country and some of the lowest poverty and violent crime rates.