Expert: Niquenya D. Fulbright, Professional Life Coach - 9/7/2006

Question
do i need to study in order to get certified as an event/wedding planner?  i already have the experience and expertise but i want to certify my self.  i read an article that it is a process with letters of recomendations.  can i get to that part without the study? is there also a license for that?---thanks

Answer
Hello Shy,

As far as I know, there is no officially recognized professional event planning certification.  There definitely is not a professional license.  Event planning is not a regulated industry.  Many spring-up schools and organizations claim to have great certification programs but the only real advantage to these is possible listings in online referral databases and maybe access to discounted prices at negotiated venues. I personally don't believe in wasting $2-6000 for this type of benefit. It would make much more sense to just join a recognized organization for $200 like the National Association of Wedding Professionals: http://www.nawp.com/

Most event planners are promoted from administrative assistants who spend a great amount of time planning corporate functions or caterers who find that many of their clients need more hands-on help with their parties and the caterer has collected many useful contacts along the way.

Most corporate venues prefer to hire event planners with a good deal of experience and who hold Bachelor's Degrees in business or hospitality.  A degree in hospitality is probably your best bet if you are serious about getting some good education for your new career; however, the best way to train for event planning is to start planning events.  Almost all event planners learn just by doing the job.

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Happy Living!

Niquenya D. Fulbright
Professional Life Coach
http://www.niquenyafulbright.com
Buliding Bridges Between Your Dreams & Ultimate Reality