Want to be an Event Planner?

Nowadays, there are more parties and events than ever before.

They can be big or intimate, happy or solemn, and for business or pleasure. And whether they're planned or last-minute, entertaining has become a feature of contemporary life.

What's more, guests expect parties to be more polished and exciting.

Some people host parties because they need to - to mark life transitions or to entertain clients or bosses. And some have parties just for the sheer joy of it. There are the domestic events, such as surprise birthday parties and children's parties.

Click Play above to watch a short video about the course.

There's no shortage of events!

Dont forget the commercial events. Companies need product launches. And stores need splashy opening events.

Plus there are political events, municipal events, and charity events. For example, towns and communities need celebrations and ceremonies.

In fact, more activities and occasions call for a party or event than you could imagine.

And that means a big opportunity for the event planner - if you know where to look.

What it's like to be an event planner

Being an event planner is hard work. There are real skills to learn, if you want to be a professional. It will take time to get known and find clients. But if you're determined to succeed, there are so many advantages.

1. You get to be your own boss. No one is looking over your shoulder. No one can tell you what to do.

2. You work only the hours you need to. And it's certainly not a boring 9-5!

3. You can fit the work around your other commitments. So you can pick up your children from school, or spend time with your spouse. You can care for an elderly relative. Or just relax.

4. It's your business, so you keep the profits. The more you work, the more you earn. You're not watching the clock, and you're not working endlessly dull hours to earn money for bosses who may not even value you.

Event planning is very flexible. And unlike most businesses, there are very few set-up costs. All you need is a phone and a list of contacts - plus your own talent, enthusiasm and the knowledge that we'll teach you.

You complete the assignments and your tutor gives you feedback

We carefully evaluate your assignments, and show you how to improve. We provide advice that you can't get anywhere else, and we give you the encouragement that you'll need to succeed.

The courses are based on the real world. By the end of the course, you'll have met all the main problems that an event planner encounters. So there won't be any surprises when you face a client.

You'll also have two advantages over event planners who have learned "on the job". They have rarely been taught the craft in a systematic way (so they’re less professional); and they rarely know the full range of opportunities available.

Exclusive information

The course gives you an invaluable insight into the event planning world. You can't find these trade secrets disclosed anywhere else. The course is distilled from actual experience, to give you the answers to questions like:

• What sort of people and organisations need events?

• Where do I find clients?

• How much do I charge?

• What paperwork and record-keeping do I need?

• How do I promote and market my business?

By studying for our Diploma in Event Planning, you’ll give yourself that edge. You couldn’t ask for anything more from a distance learning course.

Competitions. Prizes!

You can enter the regular free competitions we hold for our students. You can win prizes, certificates for your wall, and a boost to your CV.

Accredited by NCFE at Level 4

Our course is fully accredited by the national awarding body NCFE, and on completing it you get a national award equivalent to Level 4 of the National Learning Framework.

NCFE is recognised as an awarding body by the qualification regulators for England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The regulators are Ofqual in England, DCELLS in Wales and CCEA in Northern Ireland.

To read more about NCFE, go to www.ncfe.org.uk

ODLQC accreditation

We're also accredited by the Open and Distance Learning Quality Council (ODLQC). Set up by the government to assess standards in distance education, they check out our instructors, our finances, and our management systems - the works. And they're fussy (but so are we). We're proud of our accreditation, which is why we're determined to maintain it.

And that's why we work so hard to keep our students happy. If for any reason you were unhappy with our service, you can contact them by clicking on this link: ODLQC.

We are also registered with the Department for Education and Skills on its Register of Education and Training Providers.

Plus we're recognised by the Better Business Bureau, and by E-Public Eye, among others.

How not to become an event planner Some people think you can learn from another event planner, by becoming their assistant. Sadly this isn't true. Most event planners are self-employed. And they don't take on more work than they want to. So they don't have a need for assistants.

Our planning system is free with the course, and helps you stay on top of everything.

Moreover, they aren't eager to delegate work to other people. Because they don't trust others to do it right.

And they don't want to train someone else who will then become a competitor in their area.

They get deluged with requests from people who want to become their assistant. (So if you applied, you'd get trampled in the stampede.)

So the fact is - you can't learn from other people.

The good news is, that it keeps a lot of people out of the industry.

No, you have to set up your own event planning business from scratch.

But that's OK, because you already have the experience, aptitude and interest, right? Otherwise you wouldn't be reading this page.

And you know in your heart of hearts that you want to be an event planner.

Because we have low costs, and many of our faculty are home-based, the course is less expensive. And we charge just one all-inclusive price, with no surprise charges.

The entire course comes complete to you in a big box. Some students say it's a bit like opening a Christmas present!

In the course you'll find everything you need. There are the course modules, the Manual, and a Quick Start Guide. Plus everything you need to set up as an Event Planner.

Free mentoring when you complete the course

Once you complete the course, we’ll give you three months’ free business mentoring.

You’ll have a personal mentor who'll help you set up your own business (if that's your choice).

For three months after getting your Diploma you'll get one-to-one advice and support from an active practitioner.

So if you're unsure on how to launch your own business, this mentoring programme will put you on the road to success.

And because it's all part of the Institute's course, it won't cost you a penny.

This means the course is individualised and interactive (many other event planning courses are not). You do your lessons in the comfort of your own home, and at your own speed.

But you don't do it in a vacuum. You join a community of event planners. Apart from your tutor there are Student Advisors, current fellow students, and ex-students who've successfully completed the course.

How busy do you want to be?

Some event planners like to have just one or two events a month. Others choose to work all hours of the day and night. As an event planner, you can easily earn £30,000 ($60,000) a year.

About the course

The event planning course is carefully designed to show you, step-by-step, how to become a professional event planner. It also shows you how to succeed on the business side. It’s structured to give you the right information when you need it. There’s comprehensive documentation and specialist support material.

Your assignments will be assessed by one of our experienced, dedicated instructors, who will be a working event planner. It means your work is reviewed in a friendly, supportive and confidential atmosphere before being exposed to the outside world.

The course is a complete learning package. It's crammed full of information, tips and exercises. Everything is beautifully packaged to provide you with your own permanent reference library which you can consult long after completing the course.

Constructed by event planning experts, the course incorporates years of experience, covering every aspect of the event planning market. Experience and knowledge it's taken others decades to accumulate - at your fingertips.

Plus we add the most common questions and comments from our students.

Having read this far, you know that you already have the talent and enthusiasm that's drawn you to this field. Now you'll gain the skills, business savvy and confidence to stand out. Taking this course will assure your success as an event planner.

Check the course benefits

Unlike other organisations, we provide complete coverage of the subject, and full service. For example, we show you how to market your business on the Internet.

Plus you can demand a full refund at any time within 60 days of receiving your course package - no questions asked. We want our students to be happy with our course, and with their future in event planning. Otherwise, what's the point?

There are 12 assignments for you to complete, and you get a free event planner's manual, not obtainable elsewhere. You’ll have unlimited access to your instructor, who will give you free advice and suggestions on anything to do with event planning, including your own work.

You can also phone a Student Advisor at the Institute whenever you want.

And you can take as long as you want to complete the course. Or you can complete it quickly.

Who signs up for the course?

All kinds of people decide to register for the course. But typically they are:

1. People who are good organisers. They are "doers", people who enjoy making things happen. They mostly have some experience already of running events, however informally. They're the ones who always end up planning granny's birthday party, knowing the right restaurant to take out-of-town relations, or how to get fliers printed for a themed event at the local club. They know how to have fun.

2. People who want to supplement their income by working from home. Many want to fit their work around other commitments, and to be in control of their own time. Some people do event planning full-time, some part-time, and some as an addition to their role as a full-time parent.

3. People who are creative, and fun. They're often frustrated with their current occupation. They have a feeling there's a better way they could use their gifts to benefit themselves and their families, and to make a contribution. Sometimes, after a birthday party or a dinner, their friends tell them, "You know, you could get paid to do this!"

4. People who want to make their dreams come true, and who need a practical way to do that.

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The questions people ask

• Can I join the course without prior experience? YES

• Can I take as long as I want to complete the course? YES

• Can I tackle the topics in any order I choose? YES

• Can a newcomer break into event planning and earn money? YES

• Can I submit hand-written assignments? YES

• Can I get my money back if I don't like the course? YES

• Can I talk to other students, and meet them? YES

• Will you show me how to find work? YES

• Can you provide support after the course finishes? YES

• Will I find the course enjoyable as well as informative? YES

• Is the course run by working event planners? YES

• Can event planning be taught, just like accounting or nursing? (YES - only it's a lot more fun).

Read more frequently asked questions here.

What you'll learn from the course

By the end of the course, you'll have acquired the following skills:

• You will understand exactly what an event planner does, and be able to do those things.

• You'll have learned the skills, techniques, and "tricks of the trade" of the professional event planner.

• You'll know how to confidently get profitable business.

When you complete the course

Once you complete the course, you’ll receive your Diploma. It’s the formal recognition you'll have earned of your skills and knowledge. You also get to use the letters ‘Dip.EP (Inst.EP)’ after your name. We’ll send information about your success to your local newspapers if you want. That’s a good way of telling potential clients about your availability.

We’ll put your name on our list of Certified Event Planners. This is a source that clients will use to search for a legitimate event planner. It's valuable exposure, and it could bring you lots of work.

You can get a free logo (like the one on the right) to put on your website and your note paper. This logo gives potential clients added confidence in your skills.

And after completing your course, you'll be able to join the Institute as a member, at no cost.

It's time to get started

Having read this far, you've got what it takes - motivation. Now all you have to do is get started. Fill out the registration form now, because this is where the adventure and rewards begin.

You've waited long enough - why wait any longer? Go ahead and do something for yourself, to make your dreams a reality. It's easy to start:

1. Click here to go to the registration page. You can sign up online, and you'll receive your course within days. 2. When you get the course, read the first module. It has an easy-to-follow format. Then just plunge in: do the first assignment. It asks you simply to describe your life, your interests and your aims. Send it to your tutor for assessment. Your tutor will return it to you with friendly advice and comments. 3. Do the same for the other modules, until you reach the end of the course. By then, you'll probably be earning good money as an event planner. And you'll be having a great time.

Andrea parcels up a course ready for despatch

We look forward to helping you succeed.

With best wishes

PS Still a little unsure? Click here if you have any doubts.