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Props to party planners
December 11, 2009 | | Leave a Comment
When people used to tell me that they wanted to become event planners, I would automatically think that they just liked going to parties and were trying to make a career out of it. I also thought it was taking the easy way out because I was under the impression that planning events was simple and anyone could do it.
However, I was in charge of planning a grand opening event for a domestic violence housing facility, and my perspective on event planning as a career choice has changed 360 degrees.
During meetings with the client, I would present numerous ideas and only a few, if any, would be what the client had in mind. In the beginning this was very discouraging, and I would search Google again for “event planning ideas” and “how to plan a fun event.” From these searches, I would pull ideas that I thought the client would like and present them to the client again, only to be back at square one.
This sequence of events went on for a few weeks until I had an epiphany while doing research. I wasn’t looking for things that the client wanted but was looking for things that I wanted at the event.
With this new perspective, I didn’t search Google for “fun event ideas” but instead information about my client and her business. I researched past events and took notes on color schemes, design, layout, etc.
My job turned from being high stress to fun. I was able to come up with ideas that the client liked, which opened up new discussions that resulted in ideas that the client and my team and I developed.
As a public relations professional or event planner, I have realized that my job will be all about the client, not myself. I know this seems like something everyone knows, but it is easy to get caught up in the fun and fall off the client’s path onto your own.
I definitely have a new respect for the event planning profession and found that there is more to it than just balloons and streamers. It’s about reading the client and designing their dream event, not my own.
-Haley McHenry