The event planning industry has grown enormously in the last 10 to 15 years. Recent research shows that almost 500 billion US dollars (USD) are spent every year on planned events around the world. This growth is due to improved economy and the trend towards corporate businesses outsourcing their meeting and planning functions.

Event planning can involve a diverse number of business or social occasions. Each event can come under a heading, such as Celebrations, Promotions, Commemorations or Education. Celebrations can include parades, weddings, birthdays and anniversaries. Educational events could be meetings, graduations and conferences. Promotional events may be political rallies, product launches and fashion shows. Commemoration events include civic events and memorials.

Organizers involved in event planning have to handle numerous tasks in order to make the event successful. A planner may be involved in finding a site for the event, creating an event design and conducting research into the people requesting the event. Event planning also involves arranging the décor, food and entertainment. Sending out invitations and arranging accommodation also come under an event planner's remit. Event planning duties may also include supervising at the site and coordinating the event personnel.

The reason businesses or individuals hire event planning professionals is for their experience in this particular field. Event planning is a time consuming business and sometimes a stressful one. For example, your wedding day may be stressful enough without having to worry whether the caterers are going to turn up on time. A professional planner has the time and contacts to make sure the occasion runs smoothly.

Event planning businesses themselves are varied. Planners are usually people who originated from one particular aspect of special events. Some may have branched off from catering companies to planning entire events. Some event planners may have worked as planners for a business and then decided to open up their own event planning business. The years of experience they bring to planning an event are vitally important to a hitch free event.

Another way into event planning is to gain a qualification. You can obtain a degree or certificate in event planning or management. You could also consider working to become a Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP) or a Certified Meeting Planner (CMP). It takes a lot of research and study to become either a CSEP or a CMP, and the positions carry a great deal of responsibility in the event planning industry. It may be the edge you need in today's competitive business world.