Interviews with Planners

Experience is everything. I think getting your hands dirty in the industry is the best way to prepare yourself for this business. Relationships are everything, so making meaningful connections in the early onset of your career will pave the road to success.

Know what you are selling as its very easy to talk up the dream but can you deliver what you promise? You get one shot with your clients to create a first impression. Make it a good one so that you can grow in a business that is based on reputation and your ability to execute.

I think we are going to see more and more technology integrated into events – everything from virtual reality and augmented reality, to social sharing technology. The purpose will be to take the offline experience online, and an online experience to a real-world setting.

My ability to approach a hiccup with urgency and humor is what makes me successful. I am able to think very quickly on my feet, and I stay on task.

Technology will increasingly take over events, from live streaming, interactive stations and more, tech is going to play a huge role in not only how people experience events but also how people plan them. It will be imperative for event planners to stay ahead of the curve and learn to keep up for their business sake.

I never take it for granted that I have the best job on the planet. I never forget the economic impact we have on the cities we bring meetings to, or how much our industry contributes to the Gross Domestic Product. I never forget how our skill set has the power to put so many people to work in so many industries. When people meet, they change the world, and I march forward with that responsibility gracefully resting on my shoulder each day!

Learn to manage expectations. Always under-promise and over-deliver. You need to be super detail-oriented, nothing can get past you the day of the event. You need to be able to instantly recognize if someone else isn't doing their job and react accordingly. There are no second chances!

Avoid being repetitive in design without just doing something to be different. Quality and creativity need to be combined.

Take time to develop your network and remember that this is a small industry.

Behind all the lights and flowers is a lot of coordination and process implementation. Be prepared to work long hours and learn on the job.