Event Planner, Designer, or Producer: What’s the Difference?
People often ask, “Isn’t an Event Planner, Event Designer, and Event Producer the same thing?” Let me recontextualize that; is a Financial Planner, an Interior Designer, and a Construction Foreman the same thing? When hiring the right person for a job, you’d likely consider one over the other.
People turn to event professionals for a variety of reasons. Sometimes they need a partner to help with the overall event, soup-to-nuts. Other times they just need creative input or additional boots on the ground to make it all happen. Each client and event requires different levels of support. Knowing what to ask for (as well as knowing what you’re getting) is an important first step.
Event Planner: Strategy & Detail
An Event Planner is your strategic partner from beginning to end. They’re who you’ll want to engage early in the process to assist in creating the meeting/event objectives, developing the structure of the event, recommending appropriate venues, giving budgetary insight, and providing guidance around appropriate event partners (vendors) to engage for a successful event.
In addition to the strategy, Event Planners are typically well versed in building the foundation of an event including developing and managing registration systems, executing the strategy behind marketing efforts, and having a vast knowledge of industry experts, venues, and vendors to ensure the right ones are selected for your specific program. It’s not uncommon for the Event Planner to take on the role of a project manager, making sure the project stays on course, avoids scope creep, remains focused on the initial objectives, and stays on budget.
Event Designer: Aesthetic & WOW Factor
An Event Designer is your aesthetic partner, the artist and visionary helping bring creativity and excitement to the overall event experience while conveying the messaging and event objectives. This can include overall event color scheme, digital and print graphics, how to use the venue, selecting the right linen, floral, furniture and lighting, and some may even be involved in menu selection and presentation as well.
An event designer works closely with the planner and the client to ensure the right mood is being set, the branding is in line with the company’s messaging, and all elements sourced are in budget and available for the event. A great event designer is well-versed in current trends beyond the event industry including the architectural, interior design, culinary, and graphic design worlds. They use this knowledge and exposure to bring appropriate elements into the event, making the experience exciting, fresh, and engaging for its audience. Event designers are the secret ingredient that take your event beyond the company logo.
Event Producer: Makes it Happen
An Event Producer makes it all happen — they are the action! Whereas planners and designers often work in the abstract and guide the decision making process, the producers are the ones that bring it all to life. They manage the large team of event partners and vendors from load-in through load-out of the event. They also oversee the onsite staff, which includes the registration and production teams, the catering staff, and the overall event management team.
They’re the people running around the venue talking on radios, physically present but mentally five minutes ahead mitigating any fires before they happen. Event Producers embody the unique skill of being able to understand the abstract design and bring it to life via detailed and concise communication, all the while effectively leading a team in real-time.
Summary
Event Planners, Designers, and Producers each have unique skills and innate talents which independently keep a project on track, but collectively make the difference in creating an exceptional and cohesive event.
There are even some seasoned industry professionals who have honed their talents and developed the skills to function as all three roles throughout a process. These triple-threat ‘unicorns’ of event powerhouses are few and far between and are an invaluable asset to any event team.
Regardless of the title, when looking for an event professional to help bring your event to life, start by clearly defining exactly what it is you need. By doing so, it will help both you and your event partner understand your pain points and the level of services you require. A trusted event partner will either provide you with the right services or direct you to someone who can.
