What do you do if your extensive event planning experience isn't translating into late-career success?

Embrace change! Adapt and reinvent. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. There’s no substitute for flight time and experience. If you match that with a constant willingness to learn can be an unbeatable combination. I love the expression” when you’re green you grow and when you’re ripe you rot.”

It might be time to reassess your strategy. You can focus on updating your skills with new trends and technologies, and seek mentorship or networking opportunities to broaden your connections. Sometimes, pivoting to new areas of expertise or taking on different roles can reignite your career momentum

Identify transferable skills beyond event planning (e.g., project management, leadership). Connect with professionals in your desired field to explore opportunities. Acquire new knowledge or certifications to enhance your value. Seek guidance from a career coach to identify potential paths. Showcase your accomplishments through a portfolio or case studies. Explore starting your own event planning business or consulting firm.

Faria várias atualiza??es, me manteria sempre por dentro de todas as novidades da área, pensaria em novas estratégias mais inovadoras. Investiria muito em tecnologia e novas tecnicas de promo??o, divulga??o, faria pesquisas e estudaria outros eventos que atingem sucesso e aprenderia com eles. O segredo é estudar sempre e se atualizar mais ainda.

A few years into my event planning career, I noticed that my traditional methods weren’t yielding the same success in a digital-first world. I had relied heavily on word-of-mouth and in-person meetings, but with the rise of virtual platforms, I realized I needed to adapt. Instead of resisting, I embraced the shift. I took courses on digital marketing, learned to manage virtual and hybrid events, and began networking through social media. This pivot not only expanded my client base globally but also revitalized my career. Embracing change allowed me to stay relevant and thrive in an evolving industry.

As an older job seeker in the event industry I have direct experience with job hunting as an older worker. It is hard to focus on what you want or are even looking for. As someone with event, administrative and sales it is hard to focus. Also the last time I had to seek a job was in the beginning of my career. It is a wholeness landscape.

Networking remains vital throughout your event planning career, even when you're experienced. It: 1. Fosters relationships: Nurture connections with clients, vendors, and peers. 2. Drives referrals: Encourages word-of-mouth recommendations and new business opportunities. 3. Stays ahead of trends: Learn about industry developments and best practices. Late in your career, networking can also: - Lead to mentorship opportunities, giving back to the industry - Open doors to speaking engagements, teaching, or writing Continue to invest in networking through: - Industry events and conferences - Professional associations and memberships - Online communities and forums

Networking remains vital throughout your event planning career, and its importance only increases with time. Additionally, late-career networking can: - Lead to speaking engagements, teaching, and writing opportunities - Facilitate collaborations, partnerships, and joint ventures - Provide access to emerging trends, technologies, and innovations - Offer a sense of community and belonging among peers - Create opportunities for giving back to the industry through mentorship and volunteering Remember, networking is about building genuine relationships, sharing knowledge, and supporting one another. It's a lifelong process that enriches your career and personal growth!

Es fundamental. Mantener conversaciones, charlas, reuniones… Como en el mundo de la Comunicación (los eventos también son Comunicacion, no lo olvides) vales tanto como numeros tengas en la agenda de Telefonos. Así que mírala, repásala y amplia Y una cosa más: piensa Tomate todo el tiempo que necesites pero piensa. Que hacer, para quien, como… Prepara tormenta de ideas, busca en internet opciones nuevas, diferentes, habla con la gente De cualquier conversación puede salir un trabajo o idea para desarrollar

Networking ist der Schlüssel! LinkedIn bietet eine super Plattform, um sich mit anderen Eventplanern zu vernetzen. Tritt Gruppen bei, teile deine Expertise und baue Beziehungen auf. Auch der Besuch von Messen, Weiterbildungen oder Konferenzen sind tolle Plattformen für den Face to Face austausch. Ich freue mich über Deine LinkedIn Kontaktanfrage!

Engage with peers and industry leaders who are utilizing AI and new technologies. Expanding your network in this way can open doors to fresh ideas and opportunities that keep your skills and approach up-to-date.

Diversifying my offerings has been one way that I have been successful. I've encorporated company retreats, team building experiences, along with my individualized services. This also adds to my network of potential clients as the larger events have people who may be swayed to use my services on an individual basis because of the work they have experienced while at a group event.

If my extensive event planning experience isn't translating into late-career success, I would adjust my service offerings to align with current trends. This might involve shadowing someone on a different type of event to learn new approaches, introducing virtual services to meet modern demands, or expanding my team to diversify the expertise available. By staying adaptable and open to change, I can continue to evolve and remain competitive in the industry.

Reflection is a powerful tool for growth! Taking time to examine your career can help you: 1. Identify strengths and weaknesses: Recognize areas of excellence and those needing improvement. 2. Analyze choices and consequences: Understand how past decisions led to your current situation. 3. Recognize patterns and habits: Become aware of self-limiting behaviors or thought patterns. Reflect on questions like: - What were my goals and aspirations when I started my career? - Have my goals changed over time? If so, how? - What decisions or choices led to my current situation? Through reflection, you can: - Break through the plateau and reignite growth - Develop a renewed sense of purpose and direction

Self-reflection is indeed a powerful tool, especially for those of us who have built extensive experience across various fields. Recognizing patterns and making strategic adjustments isn’t just about staying relevant—it’s about evolving in sync with the dynamic demands of our industry. Whether it’s refining a niche, reassessing our pricing model, or shifting our focus to a new target audience, these reflections can guide us toward greater alignment and impact. After all, adaptability is the key to staying ahead, and it’s something every generalist can harness to navigate through changes with confidence.

Seeking mentorship is a sign of: 1. Self-awareness: Recognizing areas where you need guidance and support. 2. Proactivity: Taking initiative to seek help and improve. 3. Humility: Embracing the idea that others can offer valuable insights. Mentorship can provide: - New perspectives and insights Remember, mentorship is a two-way street: - Be open and receptive to feedback and guidance Seeking mentorship is a strength, not a weakness. It demonstrates your commitment to growth, learning, and success!

Find a mentor who understands AI and industry trends. Their advice can help you adapt your skills and stay competitive as the industry evolves.

Ich stimme voll und ganz zu! Mentoring ist ein unsch?tzbares Geschenk. Mein Mentor, ein ehemaliger Clown, hat mich gelehrt, wie wichtig es ist, das Publikum zu verstehen, Lichtstimmungen zu nutzen, mit Emotionen zu spielen und die Instrumente der Dramaturgie gezielt einzusetzen. Seine kreative Denkweise und sein Gespür für Dramaturgie pr?gen meine Arbeit als Eventmanager seitdem. Ich bin davon überzeugt, dass jeder von uns von einem Mentor profitieren kann. Habt ihr auch schon Erfahrungen mit Mentoring gemacht?

I have found it helpful to seek out others. While many of my event planning skills are self-taught, having a mentor who is willing to share their secrets of success is an extremely valuable tool. It has not only helped me to achieve success, but helped me improve upon my business acumen. Not only has this increased my clientele but has decreased my stress level because I am better equipped to handle when my events don't go exactly as planned.