so you wanna be an event planner?

[Lord Jason Allan Scott]

Remember way back when the circus came to town?

When you would wonder in awe at all the sights, sounds, smells, noises? You would watch the lion tamer, the elephants parade the ring and the clowns piling into that teeny tiny car. Now think back and remember the plate twirler. You know the ones who pitched a plate high in the air and caught it on the end of a stick in mid-twirl. He would then get another plate spinning on top of another stick and throw it up to land, still spinning, on the first. He would do this over and over until he had sticks with spinning plates on his head, his feet and both hands – 3 or 4 plates tall!

And you would wonder in amazement, “how’d he do that?” Well, if you really want to know, ask an event planner.



That is what we do. I Lord Jason Scott am a international events consultant and A-list specialist, currently based at the newly revamped The Penthouse in Leicester Square. My first contact with celebs was guarding Kylie Minogue’s petite gold hot- pants, and I was recently named one of the top people under 40 working in the industry. I am one of the most demanded consultants in London and currently working on making The Penthouse the event location in Leicester square. I have been the man behind such events as the film premieres for Mamma Mia, The Dark Knight and Valkyrie with Tom Cruise to name but a few. So here is my advice on it all:



WHAT’S YOUR DAY?

An event planner is skilled at overseeing the tedious minutiae of an event from the early stages of brainstorming through to fruition on the day of the actual event. Depending on the type of event and time when the event planner was called in to help, it may take anywhere from a few days to several months to see the project into the final stages. Event planners are usually self employed and can work long and varied hours centered around the time frame of the event that is currently happening. Next step is I meet the clients, a good deal of an event planner’s day is spent meeting with current and prospective clients. A meeting with new clients will consist of looking at the calendar to make certain that the date of the client’s event coincides with free time in the planner’s schedule. From that point, the client and planner will start brainstorming together in order to mesh their individual visions for the event into one smooth plan of action. The planner will also meet with existing clients, either by phone or in person, to touch base about the upcoming event and to make sure that things are going according to schedule. The planner will also take time to reassure the client about any areas that may not be going smoothly and address any other concerns the client may have. Then to touch base with the Vendors where you will need to contact different vendors throughout the day. These tasks may include reserving dates for party locations, double checking menu numbers, getting final pricing on floral arrangements and booking talent acts. A good event planner will be able to set up systems before the event occurs so that things run smoothly the day it takes place. But, because there are always unforeseen glitches to contend with, some portion of an event planner’s day will be spent doing hands-on field work. This may include running around town to locate hard-to-find decorative items, helping a bride get a stain out of her wedding dress or helping the DJ set up his equipment. The best event planners won’t cringe at getting their hands dirty in order to get the job done to the client’s satisfaction. Then on the day the event planner arrives at the venue early in order to oversee the vendors and all other aspects of the day. On the day of the event, the event planner is the director amidst the orchestra of clients, vendors and guests. The event planner acts as a go-between all parties who will answer questions, keep everyone on schedule, direct traffic and see that all goes well until the last guest goes home.

CAN’T DO THIS JOB WITHOUT?

People skills and a great team. To do this job well you need to be able to listen to your client and understand their needs and wants and possible outcome for the event. The Team needs to be having a good time too as the customers pick up vibes from the staff.

WHAT KIND OF PERSON DO YOU HAVE TO BE?

Most people who want to become event planners have been organizing, orchestrating, directing and creating for years without really realizing it. All the birthday parties, family reunions, bake-sales, office gatherings and charity work are, in one form or another, a special event. Can you juggle many things at once without missing the details? Do you have the vision to see the big picture and the personality to get other people to see it too? Are you results oriented but always cautious of the bottom line? If this describes you, you probably do have what it takes But don’t apply to The Penthouse as I don’t need the competition.

HOW DID YOU GET IN?

My adventure in events in London started with the Novus Group in 2006, following a career as a radio DJ and writer in my home country of South Africa. I was based in the group’s flagship, Ruby Blue, after a lot of work I earned a name in the fierce Leicester Square market, and returned the category of top hub to the ailing club, raising celebrity attendance by more than a third and securing the parties of top film premieres before joining the elite in the sky and basing himself at The Penthouse –formerly known as Vertigo- at the end of 2008

SALARY?

Event planners are paid anything from £18,000 to £100, 000 PA plus bonuses and commissions

HOW TO DO IT:

As a planner, once you get involved, you start to love it – really love it — and you want to do more. But to do more business, you have to learn more. And that’s when the passion flourishes. You start to sit through football games so you can analyze the half-time show. The hit series “X Factor” sparks a whole Karaoke theme party idea. The 2012 Olympics has you scouting local bands and checking out ways to re-create the games. Every event you attend becomes a free education to see first hand how things are done. Inevitably, you find yourself thinking of how you might improve upon, tweak or change something all together. You’re always looking for new ideas, everywhere, in everything. That’s part of what makes being an event planner such a great job. In this industry, you don’t have to have a formal education or even a college degree. You don’t need to rent a fancy storefront or office space. It’s not necessary to start with inventory, equipment (except a phone) or staff. This is one of the few businesses you can get into without a penny of capital. As long as you have the natural talent, integrity and sheer determination to do this, you can, and will, deal with the rest. You decide you’re ready, and you are! It may be hard to believe, but without so much as a business card, a fax machine or a NI number, you can easily land your first client. Or, how without a formal education or experience, you can easily land a job in the field.

But there places you can study like:

http://www.eventtr.co.uk/ http://www.hotcourses.com/uk-courses/Event-Management-Training-Ltd-profile/hc_profile.page_pls_profile_details/16180339/0/z/24815/sec_id/1/page.htm

http://www.emagister.co.uk/event_management_courses-ek405.htm

These full time Postgraduate courses some time come with Arranged Work Experience are designed to provide participants with the opportunity to develop Practical Events Management skills delivered by Events Industry Professionals . Either way, I hope this helps you and if you are ever in the heart of London and looking to chat about this amazing career, HOLA!