May 10, 2006 by Sarah Christensen Local Education Columnist
Careful planning and attention to detail can make or break a convention or other corporate event. If you're the sort who carries a needle and thread just in case or can arrange a meal for ten people at a moment's notice, then corporate event planning could be the perfect career to match your problem-solving skills and unflappable personality.
Corporate Event Planning: Keeping It All on Track
Corporate event planning may sound easy, but you need to ensure that your plan meets time limitations and budgets. You will also need to think about contingencies--what if the marquee doesn't turn up, what happens to an outside event if the weather suddenly turns cold and wet? You may also have to deal with accommodations--can local hotels provide enough rooms at the time of your event, or is there another large event in town?
In a corporate meeting and event planning program, you'll learn how to plan, budget, allocate resources, negotiate, and manage the business. You may even learn about marketing and event promotion.
Enjoy a Career in Convention and Meeting Planning in Chicago
If you're looking for the perfect place to study convention and meeting planning, look no further than Chicago, Illinois. This job means that you will be out and about a lot of the time, and maybe Chicago's world-famous convention complex, museums, and restaurants can give you the inspiration you need for your projects.
Chicago left its industrialized and polluted past behind it years ago. New life has been breathed into the city, and today you can enjoy everything from European-style sidewalk bistros to the spectacular skyscrapers that made Chicago famous.
Eclectic and colorful, Chicago is a fascinating melting pot of different cultures and history. A vibrant arts scene combined with a lively downtown makes Chicago an education in itself. Beyond your convention and meeting planning program, you can enjoy live music from jazz and the blues to gospel and opera. And being situated on Lake Michigan, you can enjoy all kinds of water sports.
About the Author Sarah Christensen is the Managing Director of an Internet based footwear company. She has worked for various international corporations including 3M. After many years of corporate sales and marketing, she devoted her time to business development specializing in small start-ups and e-commerce. Sarah graduated from King's College, University of London with a degree in Chemistry and Business Studies. |