What skills do you need to be an event planner such as either a party planner or a wedding planner?

Hey Kelsey - Great question! I used to plan fundraising events so I'd say the best skills would be organization, adaptability to change and great communication skills.

Hi Kelsey!

I am not an event planner by trade, but have planned many events in the tech industry (or personally) with event planners and specialists. I also have a project management background and would love to share my recommendations in the skills that would be helpful for the event planning industry:

1) Strong communication: You'll need to be able to speak clearly with your clients and vendors, articulate needs, visions and deadlines, and also find ways to manage client expectations/emotions in the event that there are bumps in the road in planning. Your client's trust is everything!

2) Organizational and Project Management Skills: Planning an event can be very complex, as there are many different aspects of planning to coordinate and manage. It will be critical to document these clearly, define timelines and ensure that you are communicating/tracking those different requirements to meet deadlines! (Another call out for strong communication!)

3) Creativity & Problem Solving Skills: You'll need to "think outside the box" to be able to take your client's vision and translate it to reality, and even go above and beyond. Creativity also lends itself to thinking on your feet if any issues come in in the event planning or at the event itself - it will be your job to think quickly to problem solve and minimize any issues at the event.

There is also invaluable knowledge you will gain by experience alone. You may want to see if there are any local event planners who may be willing to take on some help in exchange for "on the job training." This is going to be the best way to learn about the real dynamics of event planning and execution.

Good luck!

Event planning skill #1: Attention to detail

A well-executed event is never an accident — it’s the compilation of many, many small details that come together to create a polished, flawless experience.

Event pros are known for their attention to detail, which often manifests itself in comprehensive checklists, to-do lists, and itineraries. To crush it in this role, you have to be on top of the little things, giving each one the attention it deserves, from napkin rings to A/V hookups.

Event planning skill #2: Communication

Event planners interact with a wide variety of people on a daily basis, including C-suite executives, donors, brand sponsors, vendors, and, of course, event attendees. Strong people skills are key to ensuring that everything runs smoothly and everyone involved understands their role.

The best event organizers have sharp written and verbal communication skills, conveying information with confidence, clarity, and respect. And they’re not only good at communicating their own vision — they’re also great listeners, taking extra care to understand their clients’ wants and needs.

Event planning skill #3: Problem-solving

An event planner’s resourcefulness isn’t limited to duct tape and safety pins. (Though they do have infinite uses for such things!) Successful event organizers are able to think on their feet, stay calm, and make quick decisions when unforeseen challenges arise.

Whether they’re killing time for a keynote speaker who’s stuck in traffic or making last-minute menu changes when the caterer falls through, they’re nimble and creative in solving unexpected and complex problems.

Event planning skill #4: Negotiation

Event pros are the kings and queens of bargaining. From convincing a venue to lower their minimum to negotiating a contract with the platinum sponsor, rockstar event planners blend preparation, confidence, tact, and those oh-so-important people skills to get what they need.

Event planning skill #5: Multitasking

Simply put, to be a successful event planner you need to be able to juggle a lot at once. Your job description could include everything from ticket sales and promotion to sponsorship acquisition to day-of logistics, and it’s your responsibility to make sure nothing falls through the cracks.

On top of that, the average event organizer is planning and executing multiple events simultaneously. If you’re lucky enough to have a team working with you, you’ll also need to hone your delegation skills — a great way to save yourself from burnout.

Event planning skill #6: Budgeting

Projecting and tracking spend is an important skill for event planners, who regularly juggle multiple proposals, invoices, and expenses. The best in the biz have discovered the most effective tools and tactics to get the most out of each dollar spent.

Often just as important as managing money, skillfully budgeting your time is essential, as you’ll frequently work on tight deadlines and adhere to strict day-of itineraries.

Event planning skill #7: Creativity

Despite what you might think, creativity isn’t an innate quality reserved for a select few — it’s a learnable skill you can build over time.

Great question! I think empathy is a really important skill for event planning. It's really important to know your audience, and what they want, and what they need, what motivates them, etc. I think also the previous answers are spot on. Communication, organization, and problem-solving. Another final one is; don't be afraid to ask for help. It's crucial the event be a great moment for the attendees. Whether you shoulder all the work yourself, or ask for help from others, won't matter to the attendees.