Stay at the forefront of the event planning industry by frequently exploiting online resources highlighting event planning conferences news and trends. By dedicating a few hours a week to researching event planning news and trend headlines online you will enhance your industry knowledge and remain informed.

To make the most of your research time, consider the following before digging for and acquiring event planning conferences news and trends information:

1. Utilize news and information reported on event planning blogs.

2. Routinely visit websites highlighting conference planning convention news and trends.

3. Register to receive RSS feeds pertaining to event planning events news and trends.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Read blogs focusing on event planner conferences news and trends

Visiting and viewing informal media such as specialized blogs is a quick and effortless way to find conferences for event planners information. Such blogs are open to reader comment and discussion providing individuals with an interactive experience in most instances. News and headlines are always current as blogs are regularly updated and maintained by industry professionals.

I recommend: Take a look at an event planning blog provided by Bright Business Media. Check out event planning trends and updates at a blog called Successful Event Planning.

Visit informational news websites regarding conferences for event planners news and trends

Take the time to explore a conference planning convention website. Utilizing information, links and resources featured on industry websites allow users to acquire a wealth of knowledge and access a wide range of content that is not necessarily offered on blogs or in magazines. Periodic visits to such websites will provide you with enough information to theorize about event planning conferences news and trends.

I recommend: Spend some time at Alltop and access news articles, podcats and useful links. Take advantage of detailed articles provided by Exhibitor Online.

Subscribe to an RSS feed featuring event planner conferences news and trends content

Sign up to receive RSS (really simple syndication) feeds focusing on event planner conferences news and information. You will then appropriate frequently updated content such as news articles, podcasts and videos. Such information is desirable to many professionals since it can be accessed from any device with an Internet connection.

I recommend: Mighty Dog Media provides news and updates pertaining to meeting event conferences and planning. Or you can sign up to receive meeting and event planning news and trending information from MeetingsNet. Check your RSS feeds on the go by having them sent to your mobile device or laptop.

Successful event planners attend event planning conferences to establish another way to gain recognition in their field. Though experience, creative thinking and a plethora of contacts are key attributes of a skilled event planner, knowledge is essential to success. Whether a refresher on the “basics” or a window into the latest trends, you can learn from professionals and tap the wealth of knowledge at conferences for event planners.

Event planning conferences offer:

1. General information that is utilized day in, day out, to event plan for clients.

2. Specialty information via specialized workshops and seminars often segmented by type of event planning function. If you have a particular interest in corporate meetings, rather than weddings, you can become knowledgeable in a specific area at event planner conferences.

3. Opportunities to interact with and to learn from professionals in the business that could possibly serve as mentors, or future colleagues, on all types of event planning events.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Contact an event planners association and other learning organizations

Find an event planning conference to help you work smarter.

I recommend: Reaching out to national or local associations will help you learn about an upcoming conference planning convention or meeting. The International Special Events Society is an association known as a leader with members across the globe. You can also visit organizations such as StudyEventPlanning.com and Fred Pryor Seminars that often list conferences for event planning.

Attend event planner conferences on a regular basis

Keep your knowledge current and stay in contact with peers as much as possible.

I recommend: A strong start is The Special Event, which is considered the world's largest event planner convention for professionals. You can also reach out to a leading professional event planning organization such as Meeting Professionals International (MPI) who annually holds The World Education Congress.

Make the most of the event planning conventions that you attend

Attending an educational conference, convention or trade show gives you the opportunity to learn as well as network with professionals in the business.

I recommend: Have business cards in hand at all times, and be sure to follow up with people you've spoken to, ideally within a week after the conference. Reference something that you spoke about and offer a tip or two on how you may be able to help them in the future. To learn more tips visit Biznik.com or Virgo Publishing, LLC.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When a phone number is offered as a method of contact for an event planning conference, use it. You may learn how to get the most out of your conference or trade show attendance, such as a workshop that shouldn't be missed or an opening night function that boasts high attendance. Also, if through the call you learn that this conference is not quite right for you, you may be able to find out about other conferences and workshops geared specifically to your industry or located more closely to where you work or do business.
• •  Listing recent conferences and seminars on your resume or bio tells clients that you are serious about learning as much as you can about the industry. The more you know, the more likely that you can better serve your existing clients as well as new ones.
• •  Events are important components of a company's marketing plan, vital to a nonprofit's fundraising and can memorialize some of the most important times of our lives, through weddings and birthdays. A successful events planner needs to know how to deliver exactly what the client envisions. Attending event planning conferences can help you do just that by offering opportunities to learn the latest information from the best in the business.