Do Event Planners Need Insurance?

What Is an Event Planner?

Event planning is the application of project management to large and small-scale events. Think of the Olympics or a company brunch. So much goes into planning an event, such as studying the brand, finding its target audience, creating the event concept, promoting the event, coordinating all technical and financial aspects, and launching it.

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Nowadays, we live online and in-person, so an online event usually goes hand-in-hand with the event on the ground. These are part of integrated marketing campaigns, and event planners are often tasked with promoting a product and growing a brand’s target audience on social media platforms.

Event planners are the visionaries behind the most important days of people’s lives. Event planners have the creativity to envision a magical world and the technical power to source all the materials necessary to make it a reality, whether that’s a wedding or an anniversary. Private events also have an online component that event planners manage to make the experience as immersive and connected as possible.

What Types of Event Planners Are There?

Imagine all the different types of events in the world. Any gathering of people for a specific purpose is an event. There are several types of event planners, and these often overlap:

• A corporate event planner managing product launches, brand communication events, conventions, fundraisers, team-building events, meetings, and galas.
• Private or social event planners arrange birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, and showers.
• Experiential event planners work on live brand experiences as part of integrated marketing campaigns.
• Charity and non-profit event planners.
• Conference planners.
• Trade show planners.
• Networking event planners.
• VIP event planners.
• Award ceremony planners.

How Much Does an Event Planner in Canada Make?

According to the Government of Canada, the average salary for event planners is between $33,000 and $80,000 per year, depending on your niche, experience level, and location. Many factors come into play when determining an event planner’s salary, such as the type of events you are planning and whether you are a business owner or employee. 

What Licences and Certifications Do Event Planners Need?

There isn’t one way to become an event planner, and there aren’t any licences and certifications you need. However, you need the experience to rise through the ranks as an event planner, and licences and certifications certainly help. 

Like any profession, continuing your education is always a valuable endeavour. A university degree or college diploma in event planning, tourism, or hospitality administration may be expected by your employer, but is not required to succeed as an event creator. 

What Are the Benefits of Being an Event Planner?

One minute, you are learning about event management in the metaverse, and the next, you are flying across the country to a resort for an event you are planning! The benefit of being an event planner is that every day always looks different. You constantly learn about new things, people, and places. The world of event planning can be fast-paced and is great for people who love being on the move and are creative.

Event Planning Associations and Resources

There are several associations for event planners in Canada worth checking out for their resources, whether you are just starting or have been in the game for some time:

• An important resource to be aware of is the Sponsorship Marketing Council of Canada (SMCC). SMCC conducts cutting-edge research on the sponsorship and events industry while fostering strong business networks. 
• If you’re a female event planner, WISE, or Women in Sports and Events, is full of valuable resources, programs and events to champion women in the industry and foster powerful connections. 
• The Canadian Society of Professional Event Planners is tailored towards entrepreneurial event creators, and the Canadian Association of Exposition Management is for trade and consumer shows. 
• A fantastic community-based association is the Canadian Marketing Association, which is full of opportunities for its members.
• The Government of Canada’s Job Bank updates their available job page for event planners regularly, and other resources, such as LinkedIn, are worth exploring to see the variety of positions available in event management.

What Insurance Do Event Planners in Canada Need?

As an event creator, you have such a unique career. According to Eventbrite, 43% of Canadian event teams have less than five people and still manage an event every other week. In other words, event teams and budgets are usually small with huge to-do lists that vary wildly from week to week. You need an insurance policy that understands the ins and outs of event management, and the far-ranging risks that come with it. 

In general, an event planner insurance policy includes the following:

• Commercial general liability insurance protects you and your business from claims of property damage or third-party bodily injury, such as a slip and fall or food poisoning.

• If your client isn’t happy with the outcome of an event, which is always a possibility even if you do everything right, then professional liability insurance can help if you’re threatened with legal action. It protects against claims alleging negligence or failing to deliver a service as promised. 

• When planning events, you need materials and inventory to turn a space into the world your client envisions. Business contents insurance protects your assets, materials, and merchandise from loss or damage due to fire, flood, theft, vandalism, or extreme weather.

• You most likely store sensitive information online, whether your clients’ or an event’s attendees. Cyber liability insurance protects you if your systems are breached or hacked.

• Legal expense insurance will cover access to legal advice on common business topics with an experienced lawyer. When a small business has $500 per hour bills for legal representation, the choice between going into debt or having no representation at all can become a harsh reality.

• Event planners face additional liability risks when hosting and organizing events that may fall outside what general liability insurance covers. That’s why adding short-term special event liability insurance is necessary. It covers costs related to third-party bodily injuries and third-party property damages that may occur at a rented venue or public space for events you organize.

Protect Your Business: Get Insurance

Fill out an online application for a free business insurance quote from Zensurance. Speak to one of our insurance experts if you have questions about your coverage needs, and let us provide you with the protection you need while you concentrate on delighting your clients.