By Jody Long
You’ve landed the job as an event planner. Great! But, now what? Are you the only planner at your company, and not part of a team that you can gain valuable event information from? Looks like it’s up to you to go out and get more training on your own. If you’re the type of person who loves to continue their education, and stay ahead of the game, here are a few resources for you as an event planner.
Free Event Management eBooks:
CVent, a website dedicated to event management, offers three free eBooks on their website, simply by providing your email address. These books are a great way to stay up to date on tips and information in the event industry, while learning how to increase attendance at your events. To download these complimentary books, visit the CVent website below and enter your email address on the right-hand side.
3 eBooks free from CVent.com: http://www.cvent.com/en/sem/ebook-bundle.shtml?cid=70100000000Lxm4AAC&LS=WEB-Event-Blog-Hub
Certified Meeting Planner Certification:
To become a CMP (Certified Meeting Planner), you must pass the two step process that consists of an application and a written exam. For application requirements and exam information, visit the Convention Industry Council’s website below:
http://www.conventionindustry.org/CMP/CMPCandidates.aspx
Certificate in Event Management:
If you’re looking for another Event Management certification, look no further than this website. The International Institute for Event Management offers two certificates, completely online. The certificate in event management is made up of 3 modules (Introduction to Event Management, Fundamentals of Event Management, and Corporate Event management). For those planners looking to take it a step further, the Master’s Certificate in Event Management may be more of what you’re looking for. This offers the same modules, but also includes Social Event Management, Wedding Planning, Advanced Event Management, and includes software templates for budgets, contracts and event planning. For more info, see the their website: http://institute-of-event-management.com/online-courses-event-planning-and-event-management
LinkedIn:
LinkedIn is a great online tool that can help you connect with other meeting & event professionals; from across the world, or right in your own town. To look for groups in yoru area, or the event planning field in general: Sign into LinkedIn, select “group” in the search field, then type in phrases such as “Tampa Event Planning” , “Corporate Event Planner” or “Meeting Planners”. Once you become part of a few groups, LinkedIn will start to suggest more groups to you, based on what you’re already a part of. Groups within your industry can be very beneficial to you, allowing you to chat with other professionals, share event ideas, and meet other planners. Here is a list of well-established event groups already on LinkedIn:
· Corporate and Event Meeting Planners: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=1845723&trk=my_groups-b-grp-v
· Event Planning & Event Management: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=60415&trk=my_groups-b-grp-v
· Event Planning Professionals: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=1917911&trk=my_groups-b-grp-v