New Career Page - QC Event School
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Your Career

A career in the event planning industry is fast paced, ever changing, and tremendously rewarding. But is this career path right for you? Below, we’ve answered some common questions from our students to help you decide.

Will I Enjoy a Career in Event Planning?

The event industry is a great fit for those who

  • Enjoy meeting new people

  • Have excellent organizational skills

  • Have a knack for planning and working with numbers

  • Are creative and enjoy keeping up with the latest trends

  • Love to take on new challenges

  • Can take charge and get the job done

  • Are self-motivated and always strive to do better

Maria

“After planning my wedding I knew this is what I wanted to do. I enrolled in the QC Event and Wedding Planning course to earn my certificate. A year and half later I’ve planned two weddings and three more are in the queue. To see my dreams come full circle has been surreal.”

—Marie Luciano, IEWP and owner of Littles n’ Lace Events

Full Graduate Interview

Where Do Event Planners Work?

You can choose from a number of career opportunities:

  • Start your own business planning weddings and events

  • Plan meetings, fundraisers and industry events for corporate clients

  • Travel the world and coordinate destination weddings

  • Join a team of established event and wedding planners

  • Work with high-profile and wealthy clients planning luxury events

  • Provide event décor services for weddings and other events

Michelle Panton

“I’m happy to have the opportunity to work with amazing and talented people in our industry and the chance to work in completely different and unique wedding locations and venues. From a converted country convent to a glamorous city venue, beach locations, and historic homes and gardens—every day is different.”

—Michelle Panton, IWPP and owner of Belle Weddings and Events

Full Graduate Interview

How much can I expect to make?

The salaries for skilled event and wedding planners are increasing world-wide.

  • According to the US Department of Labor and the Government of Canada Job Bank , North American planners can expect to earn on average $22-23 per hour or approximately $45,000 per year.1, 2

  • MyFuture, an Australian job outlook resource, reports that Australian planners make around $52,676 annually.3

  • UK’s National Career Service suggests that entry level planners may start at salaries of £17,000 to £21,000 but these salaries will increase within a few years of experience to £25,000 to £40,000!4

Cody Grannis

“Amore Events is really taking off and I couldn’t be more proud! One thing that I would really love to do sometime in the future is open up a wedding venue.”

—Cody Grannis, IEWP and owner of Amore Events

Full Graduate Interview

Download our Becoming an Event Planner ebook and find out what your career as an event planner could look like.

Download Ebook

Career Training

We want to help you find your dream job in the event planning industry. Whether that’s starting your own business, joining a team of event planners, or getting hired in-house—we’re going to give you all the tools you need to succeed. Read on to learn about QC Event School’s business and career training.

Complete Business Start-Up Series

Each certification course includes complete business training. Just think, your dream of starting your own event business is now within reach. We know setting up your own business can be challenging but you can do it, and we’re here to help you. We’ll take you through the start-up process one step at a time, from registering your company to invoicing your clients. You’ll have fun putting your ideas together as you draft business and marketing plans.

You’ll also learn how to

  • Conduct market research

  • Manage your finances

  • Set up your office

  • Design your branding

  • Set up a digital marketing plan

  • Price your services

  • Respond to RFPs

  • Manage projects effectively

  • Write contracts, invoices, and change orders

  • Network with vendors

  • And more!

We also teamed up with expert event planner, Candice Coppola to film our ‘Achieving Business Success’ series. Candice talks about what she learned while launching and growing her own hugely successful business, Jubilee Events. Learn more about Candice.

Online Career Resources

QC’s Online Student Center is not just a place to upload your assignments—it’s jam-packed with valuable resources to help you advance your career.

Get lifetime access to

  • Business templates such as budget spreadsheets, contracts and invoices

  • QC’s Pointers for Planner’s Blog filled with articles on the latest best practices for your business

  • The Career Center where you can access useful tools to help you find work in the event industry

  • The Professional Profile Builder where you can easily create your own online profile like this one

  • Continuing education discounts exclusive to QC students and graduates

  • QC Event School certification badges to add to your website

  • Membership information for professional event associations that you can join

  • The student forum where you can exchange ideas with your peers

  1. http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Business-and-Financial/Meeting-convention-and-event-planners.htm
  2. http://www.jobbank.gc.ca/report-eng.do?area=11326&lang=eng&noc=1226&action=final&ln=n&s=1&source=8#report_tabs_container2
  3. http://myfuture.edu.au/explore-careers/browse-occupations/details?anzsco=149311A
  4. https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/advice/planning/jobprofiles/Pages/eventsmanager.aspx