Applying for a position as an event staff member is the easiest way for an event planner to break into the business. As a staff member, you can increase your earning potential and gain experience throughout different fields. In event planning, there are many positions that are needed specifically on an on-call basis. Working on call would be beneficial to those getting started who are in college or those who may not be able to sacrifice a lower-paying job as they transition into this field.

Specialty training as an event planner will always be advantageous as well. Whether you are just starting out or you are a twenty-year professional, expanding your training can be beneficial to you, your clients, and your company. Expanding your training can include many specialized areas:

Cooking Classes

Knowing your way around the kitchen can enhance your event-planning skills. If a cook burns his hand and cannot work, you can fill in depending on your skill level. Being familiar with a kitchen setting will also better prepare you to design menus.

Signing up for a cooking class is a good idea if you want to increase your knowledge of the culinary arts. In a beginner class you may learn basic kitchen skills and how to prepare simple recipes, while participating in an advanced class can inspire your culinary flair.

Wine Education

There is a seemingly infinite universe of information on wine. A beginner's class will teach you about the different ways wines can taste and ways to distinguish between varietals. Advanced learning will build your understanding about the idea of terroir and how a region's climate and soil contributes to the personality of a wine. Another benefit to a wine class is participating in the many wine tastings. Even if you do not enjoy wine, studying wine can increase your ability to suggest wines to your clients.

Business or Finance Courses

Studying business or finance can equip you with a firm understanding of the business side of the event-planning world. You'll learn about ways to manage your finances as well as the idea of budgets, profit and loss, and business management. No matter how glitzy an event is, it still needs to be properly accounted for on the administrative side.

Team-Building Workshops

Team-building workshops are a great tool for event planners. Methods for conflict resolution are introduced at team-building workshops. Communication techniques are also a highlight at these events. Event planners can translate social skills like trust and delegating to on-the-job management techniques.

Professional Writing Classes

With e-mail being the preferred way to communicate, a professional writing class should be a must for most professional people these days. Professional writing classes can also enhance basic skills you may have learned in school. Drafting a letter, designing a menu, or writing a biography are all writing assignments you may have to tackle in your career.

Photography Classes

Event planners as a profession wield cameras second only to photographers. In this line of work, part of your job will be snapping photos for your guests. Taking a photography class will allow you to learn basic lighting and focusing techniques. And while you may not be a professional with a camera, you will smile knowing your client will have a memorable shot.

Floral Design Training

A walk through a flower market with a client will give you more confidence if you are educated on botanicals. A floral design class will introduce you to annuals, perennials, and topiaries. Knowing what is in season and when will help you help your client decide on bouquets, centerpieces, and boutonnières months before the event.