6 Best Cities to Find Event Planner Jobs
If you’re on the cusp of an event planner career, you have a wide variety of options available to you. Choosing which types of events you want to plan is a huge decision, as well as figuring out where you should work. While you should take all of this seriously, it’s also an exciting process to be enjoyed! The world of event planning is totally dynamic and exciting, and there are certain cities around the world that are much better suited to planners than others.
So which area should you settle in and start building your career? Join us as we travel through 6 of the best cities to find event planning jobs, and have your notepad ready!
1. New York City, New York
It’s no accident that we’re starting our list in one of the largest, most thrilling cities in the world. For newly certified event planners, starting a career in New York City is comparable to diving head first into a pool (a pool of other planners, that is)! That’s right – you’re going to need to find ways to stand out as an event or wedding planner. The competition is fierce in the city that never sleeps. If you love a challenge, then this is the place for you!
The neighborhoods are flourishing so you can pick one that suits your own event planning style – Manhattan is known for luxury events, while Brooklyn is more party-centric. Or perhaps your interests lie solely in wedding planning, which means you should set your sights on Queens, instead. Do your research into the best neighborhood for your services, and take comfort in the fact that while your salary will start somewhere around $46,000, you have the potential to earn over $100k in this city of dreams.
2. London, United Kingdom
When it comes to the world’s first class cities, London is near the top of the list. As the biggest metropolis in the United Kingdom, London is universally known for its sophistication and strong economy.
In terms of your event planner career, London is a fabulous choice of location – that sophistication we mentioned is prevalent in luxury weddings, and there are many newly engaged couples looking for planners with a flair for extravagance. As an events manager, which is a role you can work your way towards, you can expect to earn between £60,000 to £70,000 per year. That’s a very comfortable salary to live on in an expensive city like London, and you can expect to meet a great deal of high-end clients who are willing to pay way more for their events.
Keep in mind that London is similar to New York City in terms of the competition you’ll face as an event planner, so you’ll really need to set yourself apart with an event planning certificate and impressive hands-on experience.
3. San Francisco, California
We’re jetting back across the pond to sunny and youthful San Francisco, which is another fabulous city to find event planning jobs! It’s a well-known fact that San Fran attracts career-driven millennials and entrepreneurs, but did you know that it also boasts one of the highest salaries for event & wedding planners? You can expect to earn $62,890 as your average salary, and you’re guaranteed to meet a variety of newly engaged couples looking for a certified, experienced wedding planner to help with their nuptials.
But you’re not limited to wedding planning in this sunny city – San Francisco is also a very popular location in the United States for conferences, which means that you can hone your corporate event skills here quite easily. Be sure to network at these trade shows and conferences, and do your best to connect with other planners in online forums and social networks – this is where you can really get your name out there.
If you have your sights set on San Francisco as the city you want to start your event planning career in, make a list of companies you want to work for in the area and reach out to them – you never know who may be hiring, and hasn’t made it public yet!
4. Atlanta, Georgia
If you’ve always loved the idea of planning meetings and conventions as an event planner, the city of Atlanta is calling your name. It’s not just the Southern charm that makes Atlanta such an attractive city for planners – it’s a rapidly-growing metropolis with a youthful population and affordable cost of living. Atlanta is also known for its hospitality industry, which means there are a plethora of hotels for event planners to choose from when looking for jobs. Hotels and other institutions will need event coordinators to plan both internal and external events, and this will provide you with valuable, hands-on experience (not to mention networking opportunities!).
In Atlanta, you’ll be able to enjoy a profitable event planner career as well as a climate that is sunny and warm, allowing you to enjoy your life while your client list expands. You can also expect to earn a salary of $59,000 as you work your way up in the industry!
5. Toronto, Canada
Think of Toronto as a smaller, Canadian version of New York City. Skyscrapers abound, the population is over 2.8 million, and aspiring event planners can make a name for themselves quite quickly. This city is known for its strong economy, corporate culture, and affluent neighborhoods like Yorkville and the exciting Entertainment District. As an event planner, you’ll have the opportunity to meet a wide range of clients with varying budgets with so many neighborhoods to choose from.
Pro Tip: In Toronto, you’ll want to set yourself apart as quickly as you can, and we recommend focusing on your brand in order to do so. In your first year as a planner, take your time to establish a solid online presence through your website and social media. But don’t stop there! You’ll also need to get out and meet other planners and industry professionals with your business cards in hand, and a strong sense of who you are and what you can bring to the table.
Toronto is a busy, fast-paced city, so keep this in mind when marketing your services. Clients want to see what you can do in a quick and simple way so a portfolio and an enticing elevator speech will help you make a fabulous first impression in a limited amount of time.
6. Boston, Massachusetts
If you’re looking to earn the highest salary possible as a wedding planner, look no further than beautiful, historic Boston. New England is a breathtaking backdrop for weddings, which is precisely why so many engaged couples choose to tie the knot in one of its many cities. Boston, in particular, is a seriously profitable city for planners, with the perfect mix of city and a small town that enchants both residents and tourists alike.
In order to make a name for yourself in this expensive yet down-to-earth city, you’ll need to package your event planning services accordingly. Take some time to research who your target market will be as a planner in Boston, and then build packages around what their needs are – providing “day-of coordination” and/or including vendor’s services such as catering and a DJ are some excellent ideas for Boston-based clients. Also, make sure that your pricing is competitive without being outrageous, and come up with a rate that is similar to other event planners in the area as well as reflective of the quality you can provide.
