Party Planners and Event Management Companies
What are Party Planners and Event Management
Companies?
Party planners and event management companies specialize in bringing people together
for a common purpose. They do this for life celebrations as well as
corporate and social events. They arrange for the location,
transportation, communications and all of the details related to an
event or meeting.
Consumers spend months, even years planning life events such as
birthdays, weddings and births. When it comes to end-of-life
celebrations, we can give it the same attention by hiring a
professional event planner.
How to choose a Party Planner or Event
Management Company
Do you know someone planning a wedding or other special event?
Did you attend an event or wedding you thought was well planned or
had exceptional details? Like most word-of-mouth professions, start
by asking friends or family members if they could recommend
someone. You could also post the question on your Heart2Soul Community.
Party planners usually have at least a bachelor's degree and
some related work experience in planning. Some event planners
receive a bachelor's degree in hospitality management. Party
planners are not required to have a license issued by their state
though many are members of one or more event planning industry
organizations. These include ISES (the International Special Events Society), MPI
(Meeting Professionals International) and
ADME (Association of Destination Management Executives) and some
of these organizations do offer a certification program. The most
compelling credentials are personal references. A catering manager
at a venue or country club, a hotel group sales person in the
nearest city or a chamber of commerce or visitors' bureau will know
the resources available in your area.
What to expect from a Party Planner or Event
Management Company
A party planner will act as a liaison between the client paying
for the event and all of the vendors and service providers. They
will sit with a family to determine the theme or tone of the event,
research the venues and service providers and present options back
to the family. A party planner should have previous experience.
According to Faith Moore, President, Faith Moore & Associates Events, and
author of Celebrating a Life:
Planning Memorial Services and Other Creative
Remembrances
, "If you have time to
plan a memorial (and even if you don't) event planners will know
what space will be available, how to find the best caterer and the
right way to personalize the service". Ms. Moore offers great tips
and suggestions to plan a memorial or end-of-life celebration in
Heart2Soul's Funerals, Memorials and Celebrations of
Life and Reception sections.
Below is a list of some other qualities you should look for when
hiring a party planner:
- Good interpersonal skills
- Creative personality
- Strong organizational and office skills
- Ability to manage budgets
- Familiarity with locations for event
- Will negotiate rates and get bids from vendors and service
providers
- Coordinate all details of the event such as food, invitations,
hotels and transportation
- Attend event and monitor activities to ensure client and
attendees are satisfied
- Review bills and approve payment
What does it cost to hire a Party Planner or
Event Management Company?
Each party planner is responsible for setting their fee, which
could be a flat fee, an hourly fee or based on a percentage of the
overall cost. If they charge by percentage, a fee in the range of
20% would be reasonable. Variables affecting the price could be
geographic area, event considerations and time to plan. Most party
planners will meet with you at no obligation so they can learn
about your needs and explain their services.
We encourage you to confirm pricing, ask for references and
interview any funeral professional you are considering hiring.
Carefully consider quality of service and references when making a
decision.
