Studies & Degrees in Event Production

Choose where you would like to study Event Production:

Preparing an event, big or small, is just as exhausting as it is being exciting. Invitees are excited to come and join the fun, but the host is usually as stressed as one can be in trying to make the event a success. This is why those who have the budget to subcontract the event planning and production do so. Brides pay wedding planner, celebrants pay party organizers, etc.

There are categories of Event Production. Some may specialize on corporate event planning and production. As the name suggests, it is about planning, preparing, and producing an event of a company. These events are usually large and formal business gatherings in hotels, anniversary, ribbon-cutting, team building, etc. Another area of specialization is special events planning and production. This is the one that covers wedding planning and production, planning for birthday parties, reunions, Christmas parties, Halloween parties, thanks-giving, farewell parties, bridal showers, stud parties, baptismal, etc.

Event Planning and Production may seem to be a simple task; but in reality, it is a tedious, breathing-down-the-neck activity. One lapse can lead to “no party.” If it’s just a get-together party among peers, it’s forgivable; but what if it’s about gathering of stockholders and board members of a group of companies? God knows a booboo would really warrant firing someone. The following skills and techniques (applicable to both corporate event planning and special event planning) are taught in event planning classes:

1. Creating the appropriate theme or concept. An event planner/producer would normally have a few meetings with the customer to scope the work as accurately as possible. While customers can actually decide about the theme, event planner/producer should make a sound recommendation on what would fit better based on the need of the event, attendees, and culture.

2. Managing the allocated budget and resources. An effective event planner/producer can make an event happen within the allowable budget and resources. She is the one sourcing for means with reasonable prices, designing a program with minimum cost possible, and balancing between elegance and cost.

3. Coordinating things – lots of things. An event planner/producer goes left and right, top to bottom to check for the availability of things needed to deliver an event on the agreed date and time. This includes, but is not limited to (1) catering services, (2) audio-visual production, (3) decorations, (4) programme, (5) entertainment, (6) souvenirs, (7) venue, (8) invitation, (9) lighting, (10) availability of official photographer and videographer, (11) advertisement in the case of public events or private events that have a number of invitees from distant places (e.g., class reunion), (12) availability of speakers and guest of honor, (13) transportation services for guests, and (14) availability of host.

4. Witnessing the event until completion. It is important for the event planner/producer to attend the event she organized until it gets concluded. This is to make sure everything goes as planned, leaving no worries to the customer. This makes it equally imperative for the event planner to have plan B in case things fall apart.

This vocation requires high level or coordination, communication, and interpersonal skills since an event planner/producer talks to a lot of people from the time she gets an event planning/production order to the time the event is delivered. Event planners/producers can either work as freelancer or as regular employee of companies offering events planning and production services.