The Harsh Realities of Being An Event Planner

So much truth here. NO event is simple. If it is, you're doing it wrong. Harsh reality: No matter how much you plan and how perfectly everything else may go, if the food sucks, people will believe the whole event sucked. Food is your make or break, and it's impossible to please everyone, but that doesn't mean you don't do everything in your power to try.

They don't tell you how hard it is before you start and I think you should have a pre test to know if your cut out for it

Harsh Reality: you are going to micro manage your vendors up until the end of the event. Always communicate and watch them execute your ideas. Do not assume they get your ideas and leave them to execute it alone.

Great video and 100% accurate

love this - thanks Xander as so many think it is easy and fun

Planning is great but the executionis where the event managment skillset really comes in

You don't sleep properly the night after execution, your mind always goes into thinking about the event

Nobody tells you that appreciation is rare, you won't always get showered with lots of praise for a good event, so don't expect it - during an event, if my client is speaking to me it usually means there is an issue. I am the happiest person in the world if I am ignored (by the client) during an event, it means nothing is, or has, gone wrong or needs attention :) - your satisfaction comes from being behind the scenes, ensuring everyone up front is happy!

Number 4 hit me hard, haha, since long ago when I was just staffing events I realized that.

Show hangover is a real thing! No time for water or restroom , post event let down, stress and exhaustion leaves you dehydrated and with a big headache the next day

So true! All of it. How about the fact that the events that appear to be the most simple and straight forward are the ones things are most likely to go wrong. And remember, your client is counting on the fact that you are a magician and know a solution to every problem, regardless of the time necessary to produce that solution...even if he created the problem himself

Hmm this sounds horrible. I don't think I couldn't have set work hours and deal with it all. Maybe realestate is better

wow , I found new channel of event planner , greetings from India , same just also always happens with me , Thanks for making video.

Asking for sponsors and support overall is my weakness! Good video :)

ThanKs for being straight forward and honest. ❤

Hi like your video so real. It's almost twenty years in the field and no two events are identical. You are thinking with the end in mind for everyone.

Harsh Reality: Clients who expect the most often are the ones who penny pinch and stive to pay the least. These clients tend to get in their own way with micro management, stonewalling progress and definitely fail to communicate coherently.

Pro Tip: When in consultation phase; Ask your client "what problems have they been facing", "whats worked really well for them in the past?", and most importantly "What objectives are they hoping to achieve in this coming event". Then, take that information and outline clear solutions, roles and responsibilities that address all the chief concerns of the event and then supply them with a working budget. If they can't meet that budget suggest they go elsewhere, or better: refer them to a less skilled competitor who's on the way up. its nice to make sales, but you can't work for peanuts or waste your time: After all you're not the cheapest event producer in town for a reason!

Hi Xander thanks for the great video. What kinds of events are you working on? like expo or conferences. Which do you think do you feel harder to deal with especially? I’ve worked at exhibition organizer but wonder how it’s different with conferences section.

I am still up for it tho😊

Thank you so much for this video. I'm 23 and at crossroads about my career choices. You sharing your experience has really enlightened me. Thanks again!

Ivr been working for an events management company for almost two years now. PGA open in Scottsdale AZ is one of our big jobs. Also the Telluride Film Festival. But Ive seen disaster on jobs involving a dance floor and lighting. You are not kidding about the hours. Three months straight if 12 hour days with no days off. Is not uncommon. You have to love it and details details details. Ive been A behind the scenes grunt. Im considering moving into sales

Harsh Reality: some people in the team aren't fully responsible for their work. They do unless we follow up them. Anyways, thanks for the video. It's so true in Event industry.

I really have one more question, as i want to persue this career further it would be really great if you answer this one....
despite all this hardwork and inconveniences how good is the pay??

30 + years and I still love it! Plan to spend a lot of time on research and in front of the computer, learning new options, looking at speakers etc. for your clients. It's more than just the party! Great reality video!

Hey I want to start wedding planner business but how I don't know?

I loved this. As an event planner for 14 years, I think you were spin on. I would love to see a video about characteristics or personality types of an event planner. I think we tend to all have attributes very much in common.

Spot on, I mean :)

This is a great post; I have asked my HR department to show it to potential entry-level candidates that think they would be great planners because they are a "people person." !

Yeah I get that, question? What would you do if a stage is falling? And the entertainment is on stage.

I'm just starting my event planning business and I'm so nervous thanks for the video more reason to go into it

Who is usually responsible for the email marketing side of things? I'd like to specialize in this specific area since I have email marketing experience via activecampaign.


Maybe I can talk to someone in the comments who is a planner and could answer some questions for me.

This only made me more excited to get situated into my career as an event planner lol I want it all! The cons barely sound bad

Everything said is true. Another reality is facing rude clients proving to be right when they are actually super wrong. Making wrong decisions for their events despite your warnings and when it all goes south, guest tend to point blaming fingers at the event planner. This happens a lot where I come from.