CreativityĮvent planning is more than just making a to-do list. If you have a team, you can delegate some work, but ultimately it is your job to ensure that nothing falls through the cracks. Adding to that, there are multiple events that you need to plan simultaneously. You need to juggle a lot of tasks, including ticket sales, event promotion, sponsorship acquisition, and day-of logistics. Multitaskingįor event organisers, multitasking is not an option but a must-have event planning skill to create unforgettable events. Budgeting requires forecasting and tracking spend while juggling invoices, proposals, and expenses. Negotiating is an art that requires a mix of preparation, tact, and confidence. It is crucial for event planners to be able to negotiate a contract with a sponsor or get the best possible deal while booking a venue. If you consider yourself good at bargaining, then you possess an important event planning skill. The key lies in continuously checking for holes in your plans and creating backup plans in case things turn south. Problem-solving skill also comes with time and if you are just starting, you can improve your response by focusing on pre-event planning to iron out any kinks. This event planning skill keeps event organisers nimble, adaptive, and creative. They can keep an audience engaged while the keynote speaker is stuck in a traffic jam or eliminate long lines for lunch. They can quickly make a decision during unforeseen challenges – all while staying calm. Their resourcefulness is not just limited to sticky notes and safety pins. Successful event planners can solve any problem with a cool head.
When you’re courteous and amicable, it eases any anxieties your client may have. Even if the task is near impossible, you need to be polite with your replies. To do this with grace, event planners need to have a strong dedication towards serving clients. Bottom line: your stakeholder, whether clients or senior management, want something and it is your job to make it happen. One of the most difficult aspects of event planning is making clients happy. These skills require learning and practice and are acquired over time. It is an artistic job that requires a deep understanding of what is realistic and what isn’t. You should also be well-versed in the basics of bands and DJs, A/Vs, florists, décor, etc. As a planner, you should know how to create a floorplan or draft an RFP, how to review a contract and analyse event data. Having an understanding of how events work is an important event planning skill. It may be a no brainer, but to be a great event planner you need to understand events. This is a network of people you’ll bank upon to make your events memorable. It demands a widespread network of vendors, including photographers, lighting and A/V décor, DJs, bands, videographers, etc. Networking is an essential event planning skill since the events industry is based on relationships and is heavily people-driven. Networking SavvyĮvent planners are savvy networkers. Event planners are great listeners, which helps them understand the needs and wants of their clients. You also need to possess equally strong writing skills to convey information accurately with confidence, respect, and clarity. Strong interpersonal skills are a must to ensure everybody involved in the event understands their role and things run without a glitch. Event planners possess great communication skills and aren’t afraid to talk to C-suite executives, event attendees, donors, brand sponsors, and, of course, vendors. CommunicationĪnother must-have quality of an event planner is the ability to interact and build a rapport in a short time. A successful event planner can recall the minutest of details and is on top of everything – forever with a smile. It requires sharp organisational skills and attention to detail – right from planning to post-event analysis. After all, a well-executed event doesn’t happen by accident. This means, keeping your team informed, adhering to timelines, budgets, and appointments as well as keeping important documents and information organised. Some people can work in chaos, but as a planner it’s important to rely on process and method if you are part of a team. Event planners have great organisational skills.