The Truth About Event Planning

No matter what kind of public relations you end up doing there will be a time when you have to plan an event.  It might be a facility opening, product reveal, press conference, or even a media cocktail party.  Whatever the occasion, there is a lot that goes into an event from the guest list to pitching its details.  Public relations professionals take care of the various aspects of planning an event, but for the most part never really get to enjoy the activities.

I recently got to help out at the NATAS Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards.  It was a wonderful experience and I really enjoyed it but I dressed in black tie attire and ended up spending the night in the green-room.  We were live tweeting the event, but didn't actually get to sit in with the award nominees in the ballroom.  This is a good example of how a lot of events end up being for PR professionals. I think, however, that the experiences you gain from being a part of the planning process are more valuable than what you would get from attending the event--I know that was true in my case.

If you like being the brains behind the operation and don't mind being backstage instead of the center of attention, public relations event planning will suit you well.  Of course, there are event planning firms that are more than happy to hire public relations students so don't worry if you crave the spotlight and want to enjoy the fruits of your labor. 

What event planning experiences have you had? We'd love to know!