The growing event planning industry provides work opportunities to serve a variety of companies and institutions. Event planners need to be creative and resourceful organizers who are able to skilfully interpret a client’s requirements and put together a package to suit all needs. They must be careful and sympathetic listeners capable of brainstorming ideas to come up with a practical arrangement that satisfies the client’s breif.
Event planners work on conferences, weddings or private parties and, in the absence of an event coordinator, may coordinate with various professionals to ensure that the created event happens as planned. Typical organizational duties include booking speakers, arranging multimedia equipment and organizing transport, parking and seating.
A person in this role must enjoy the process of turning an initial concept into a functional event. They must work well under pressure and be able to find solutions to any problems that may arise during the planning process. A number of provinces in Canada offer college courses in event planning, including Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Saskatchewan. Salaries are between C
$32,000 and C
$61,000.