How to Become a Wedding and Event Planner in Oregon
Significant events like weddings or elaborate parties take hours of hard work and intense organizing to plan appropriately. Because of this, most people opt to hire wedding and event planners to take charge of everything instead of worrying about every little detail themselves. These professionals perform and keep track of all the components, from calling up vendors to being present during the event. This is to ensure that all the pieces are in their proper places and the program is flowing smoothly.
Being an event planner is hard work and is certainly not for everyone, but the rewards can be lucrative and fulfilling. If you have a passion for working with various people and helping make someone’s dream event come to life, then being an event planner may be the perfect job for you. to see if this profession is up your alley, here are some primary duties and responsibilities that an event planner does in a regular workday:
- Connect and communicate with clients to visualize the overall concept and purpose of their events
- Arrange and plan the primary details of the event, starting with the date and location
- Organize the services and products that would be needed, such as vendor services, decorations and food
- Keep the client updated and in the loop throughout the planning process
- Keep track of all the expenditures to make the invoicing and payment process easier
- Be present during the event to make sure that all the components are present and working smoothly
Requirements and Certifications for Becoming an Event Planner in Oregon
There are currently no specific educational requirements to become an event planner in the state of Oregon. However, going to school and learning about the trade would be helpful in your journey to becoming a professional planner. Having a degree in Hospitality Management, Event Management, Communications, Public Relations or Human Resources would undoubtedly be an advantage.
Event planner certifications are another way to earn credentials and valuable insight to continue working as a planner. Although not a requirement to practice in this profession, becoming a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) or Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP) will certainly help you learn more about the field and set you apart from others.
Where to Get Relevant Education in Oregon
Several colleges and universities in Oregon offer some of the courses listed above in various degree levels. Here are some educational institutes around the area:
- Oregon State University in Corvallis, OR, offers degrees in both Hospitality Management and Human Resources Management.
- Mt. Hood Community College in Gresham, OR, offers degrees in Hospitality Management, Marketing and Communication.
- Chemeketa Community College in Salem, OR, offers degrees in Hospitality Management, Communication, Marketing and Public Relations.
- Lane Community College in Eugene, OR, offers degrees in Hospitality Management and Marketing and Public Relations.
Aside from these institutions, online courses are also available to learn how to be an event planner. Online schools like The QC Event School and the Quincy College Event Planning Program specialize in teaching courses directly related to planning special events like weddings and corporate meetings.
Career Growth and Salary
An event planner in Oregon earns an average annual pay of $54,880, which is significantly higher than the national average of $51,560 per year. The highest-earning planners in this state have reported annual wages amounting up to $81,530.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there are currently about 1,420 convention and event planners practicing their craft in Oregon. This is subject to change as the average growth rate for this occupation is at a high national average of 8 percent.
Working as a Wedding and Event Planner in Oregon
There are a couple of paths you can take after deciding to become a wedding and event planner. You can choose to establish your own business and provide event planning services to clients, or you can work for another company. Several companies are now looking to hire competent event coordinators and planners, especially in Portland and Bend.