Here is our list of the best event planning books.
Event planning books help guide the planning, execution, and management of a professional or intimate gathering. These books cover budgeting, organization, invites, venue selection, and general logistics. Examples include The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker and The Event Marketing Handbook by Allison Saget. These books empower event planners to run more engaging and exciting events.
You can read these books while taking event planning courses to learn event planning tips and event planning ideas.
This list includes:
- event planning books for beginners
- event organizer books
- event management books
- party planning books
- conference planning books
- retreat planning books
Let’s get started!
List of event planning books
Here is a list of books to get you started and thriving in the multifaceted event planning industry.
1. Sustainable Event Management: A Practical Guide by Meegan Jones
Meegan Jones has done immense research work in event management. Her experience makes this read one of the best event management books for professionals who want to plan green events.
Sustainable Event Management provides a step-by-step guide for managers to identify, understand, and manage events while considering sustainability. The book reviews many tried-and-tested methods used across the industry. This material is perfect for managers who need reliable tools to organize sustainable events.
Notable quote: “Event sustainability means managing your event with concern for the sustainable use of the planet’s resources and the well-being of all life on earth.”
Get Sustainable Event Management.
2. The Event Marketing Handbook: Beyond Logistics And Planning by Allison Saget
Allison Saget considers events an investment. In The Event Marketing Handbook, the field expert shares how event planning services can maximize return on investment on event budgets. She also delves into event marketing. According to her, event marketing hinges on a firm’s business, sales goals, and objectives.
The keys to successful event marketing involve the following:
- brand recognition
- lead generation
- thought leadership
Saget demonstrates how experts drive maximum results via integrated marketing activities. These activities include public relations, direct mail, and advertising. This book should be a top read for readers learning to invest in events.
Notable quote: “Achieving your event’s sales and business goals depends on three basic initiatives: ‘brand recognition, lead generation and thought leadership,’ the ‘BLT’ of event marketing.”
Get The Event Marketing Handbook.
3. The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters by Priya Parker
Drawing from her experience as a sought-after event facilitator, Priya Parker gives insights into the psychology of gatherings. The Art of Gathering helps corporate event planning companies understand what works or does not work in a function.
Her book investigates various types of gatherings, such as courtrooms, conference meetings, and summer camps. The book is also among the top retreat planning books for intimate or professional retreats.
Parker also shares how small specific changes can elevate any group’s experience. If you want to be a top event planner who understands your attendees’ psychology, then The Art of Gathering is for you.
Notable quote: “Gatherings that please everyone occur, but they seldom thrill. Gatherings that are willing to be alienating—which is different from being alienating—have a better chance to dazzle.”
Get The Art of Gathering.
4. Event Planning: The Ultimate Guide To Successful Meetings, Corporate Events, Fundraising Galas, Conferences, Conventions, Incentives, and Other Special Events by Judy Allen
This best-selling book is an all-in-one guide to successful meetings, galas, conventions, and conferences. Event Planning contains tips and checklists for managing events. Judy Allen helps you with excellent case studies of successful and unsuccessful events.
This handbook offers a detailed overview of planning corporate gatherings and other special events from start to finish. Both individual planners and corporate meeting planning companies will find this material a wealth of indispensable information.
Notable quote: “Designing and producing an event is actually more like a live stage production. It is a high-wire act without a safety net.”
Get Event Planning.
5. How To Price Your Event Planning Services by Jody-Ann Rowe
Whether you are an individual just starting in the industry or one of the best corporate event management companies, you should know how to charge for your services. Several factors come into play when determining your rate. These factors include the location, the type of gathering, and your skills.
How to Price Your Event Planning Services walks you through the ins and outs of pricing. This guide shows you how to calculate the best price for your services using the three most effective pricing strategies for planners.
Notable quote: “The three most common pricing strategies are rate per hour pricing, flat fee pricing and percentage pricing.”
Get How To Price Your Event Planning Services.
6. The Non-Obvious Guide to Event Planning (For Kick-Ass Gatherings that Inspire People) by Andrea Driessen
This book is a detailed guide to creating innovative and memorable events. Andrea Driessen explains how to develop strategies and goals for a standout event. These strategies include effective logistics management and engaging speakers that capture the audience’s attention. The Non-Obvious Guide to Event Planning also identifies possible challenges, such as implausible timelines and unrealistic expectations.
The book has a similar layout to a textbook and relatable reference sections with summaries at the end of each chapter. The guide also contains easy-to-read tutorials, templates, and step-by-step instructions. Regardless of your experience in the industry, you will learn new strategies and a roadmap to help you create first-rate functions every time.
Notable quote: “If your events don’t smell like anything other than a meal, then you’re missing a huge opportunity to create positive, memorable experiences for your guests.”
Get The Non-Obvious Guide to Event Planning.
7. Event Design Handbook: Systematically Design Innovative Events Using the #EventCanvas by Roel Frissen, Ruud Janssen, and Dennis Luijer
Event Design Handbook provides a framework for planning gatherings. This book is a simple guide for all event planners at any level. The handbook shares simple formulas to create an unforgettable experience and set a precedent for future events. The author guides you through managing an event using Event Canvas.
Event Canvas is a template for designing events, helping you visualize the gathering through the stakeholder’s eyes. You can use the template to outline your event’s purpose, goals, and value to the attendants. Event Canvas also helps you project behavioral changes as a result of attending the event.
Event Canvas is a great way to lay out novel ideas and create an event experience that will stand the test of time. You will also learn to manage your team better than ever. Even when not planning gatherings, you will learn to analyze any event and replicate its success.
Notable quote: “The Event Canvas is a unifying tool. It will keep a team focused, together, and on a track that leads through each and every consideration necessary in designing an excellent event.
8. The Event Manager’s Bible: The Complete Guide to Planning and Organising a Voluntary or Public Event by D.G. Conway
D.G. Conway planned events for over two decades and has important insight into the world of event management. In his book, he reveals all the mistakes he learned in all his years of planning gatherings. He also explores the lessons to help his fellow managers avoid the same mistakes.
The Event Manager’s Bible helps you plan, organize, manage, and research any public or voluntary event meant for more than a handful of attendees.
Each chapter highlights important factors, such as:
- advertising
- security
- health and safety
- staffing
- accounting
- setup and teardown
The Event Manager’s Bible is a helpful handbook for newbies. The book distills each key point into digestible, easy-to-read bits.
Notable quote: “Insignificant mistakes can ruin a potentially successful event.”
Get The Event Manager’s Bible.
9. Secrets to Successful Events: How to Organize, Promote and Manage Exceptional Events and Festivals by Lynn Fuhler
Lynn Fuhler draws on her decades of experience to create a guide that helps readers plan, promote, implement, and manage functions. You will learn how to build a team and manage volunteers for your events.
Secrets to Successful Events discusses the essential elements of event planning, including:
- logistics
- security
- vendors
- sponsors
- entertainment
- food
This book also explores many themes, inspiring you to plan future gatherings better. The author details advice for music, book, and wine functions. Secrets to Successful Events guides readers through every step of the planning process, from start to finish. If your event is a festival, then this book is a great read. The book covers marketing and leveraging social media for all types of events.
Notable quote: “I believe that life is a series of stepping stones on a journey to some yet uncharted event.”
Get Secrets to Successful Events.
10. Event Management For Dummies by Laura Capell
With hints, checklists, and tips, Event Management For Dummies touches on all aspects of running an event. The guide uses storytelling techniques to make each function memorable.
You will also find lots of information to guide you through every step of the planning process. You may even learn to tackle potential issues you may not have anticipated. This book is a must-have for event planners, as you can refer to it repeatedly.
Notable quote: “The event industry has a saying that there are no problems, only solutions. One of the most rewarding parts of event management is coming up with solutions to what often feel like impossible requests.”
Get Event Management For Dummies.
11. The Power of Participation: Creating Conferences That Deliver Learning, Connection, Engagement, and Action by Adrian Segar
One of the goals of face-to-face meetings is to create valuable networks and productive experiences for audiences. Unfortunately, organizations often relegate meetings to light talks and meals. Conferences also have unending panel sessions with a few minutes of Q&A.
This limited audience participation is what this book aims to correct. The Power of Participation empowers keynote speakers with techniques to create participatory sessions and an engaged audience. Segar also demonstrates how to turn passive attendees into active, lively audiences. He also delves into a planner’s primary purpose and helps them become great at bringing all attendees together.
Notable quote: “Enough with mind-numbing, snooze-generating conferences! Participation-driven conferences involve, engage, and energize participants.”
Get The Power of Participation.
12. Born to Party, Forced to Work: 21st Century Hospitality by Bronson Van Wyck
Born to Party, Forced to Work details the events planned by Bronson Van Eyck, nicknamed “The Wizard of Oz of New York Party Planning” by Vogue. Each chapter of this book contains stories and pictures of critical aspects of Van Wyck’s events.
These pictures serve as an inspiration for planning a creative and unforgettable experience. The book explores various functions, such as weddings, holiday parties, and graduations. You can plan your events off the back of the book’s examples or build on its ideas to deliver a unique experience. As its name suggests, Van Wyck’s book is one of the best party planning books for individuals and managers.
Notable quote: “When throwing an event, it is essential that hospitality comes from the right intention and doing things with care and thoughtfulness. It is also about making sure guests feel accepted and included, and comfortable in the environment.”
Get Born to Party, Forced to Work.
13. The Event Safety Guide: A Guide to Health, Safety, and Welfare at Live Entertainment Events in the United States by Event Safety Alliance
Safety is an integral part of every gathering, and The Event Safety Guide talks about this in extensive detail. This official handbook outlines the procedures that ensure the well-being of each attendee.
The Event Safety Guide covers the following:
- worker and crowd protection
- fire safety
- crowd control
- first aid
- weather precautions
This book has an indexed, organized layout with several reference sections.
The handbook teaches event planners how to:
- set up venues
- draft emergency plans
- write safety policies
- manage attendees
- abide by venue regulations
The Event Safety Guide is excellent for mitigating risk and running gatherings that consider all attendees’ safety.
Notable quote: “To reduce the risk of future incidents, we would provide our peers with a safety resource… in a format that we can use.”
14. Event Planning: Management & Marketing For Successful Events: Become an event planning pro & create a successful event series by Alex Genadinik
Event Planning by Alex Genadinik is one of the most helpful resources for corporate event organization. The handbook lays out strategies and tips for marketing and monetizing events.
Event Planning also explains step-by-step guides for processes, including:
- documenting event planning
- setting objectives
- measuring results
Genadinik explores the discreet, behind-the-scenes efforts that make each function a hit. The book also details the critical elements of event creation. Event Planning focuses on both revenue generation and boosting attendance. The book guides you on generating the buzz needed for your functions. You will also learn to make attendees happy during and after the event.
Notable quote: “Your events will grow and be successful if you manage them well, and new people come back and invite friends.”
Get Event Planning.
15. Into the Heart of Meetings: Basic Principles of Meeting Design by Eric de Groot and Mike van der Vijver
Into the Heart of Meetings is one of the most recommended event organizer books. The book describes each meeting as a form of communication. Drawing from years of experience as meeting planners, Eric De Groot and Mike van der Vijver share an array of tools that help planners get the best from their meetings.
The authors also identify the principles and challenges surrounding meetings and how to solve them. This book helps planners create events of any style. You will learn to design strategies that work well with guests while accomplishing all your organization’s goals. Into the Heart of Meetings is a textbook, a practical guide, and an explorative study.
Notable quote: “Meeting design is the art of matching the format of a meeting to its content and aims.”
Get Into the Heart of Meetings.
16. Special Events: A New Generation and the Next Frontier by Dr. Joe Goldblatt
Special Events details the events industry’s growth, development, and challenges.
This book also provides a thorough guide to:
- understanding event planning
- promoting events offline and online
- planning the events from all angles
- event marketing
- producing special events
Joe Goldblatt explores several case studies, analogies, and interviews with experienced field leaders. These interviews give new and veteran planners a better understanding of the industry.
Some chapters of the book cover:
- corporate social responsibility
- theoretical case studies
- assessment topics
- event evaluation
Special Events can be technical, but it is a thorough must read for event planners.
Notable quote: “Event planners will learn how to harness technology to help them improve their events’ financial, quality, environmental and other strategic outcomes.”
Get Special Events.
17. The Business of Event Planning: Behind-the-Scenes Secrets of Successful Special Events by Judy Allen
Successful events often have busy planners behind the scenes. Planners juggle decisions around timing, location, menu design, and venue. Event planners must also consider proposals, safety policies, and negotiations. The Business of Event Planning takes you behind the scenes of planning great gatherings so your business can deliver to clients consistently.
The practical resources in this book include:
- letters of agreement
- sample templates for checklists
- forms
- client proposals
Judy Allen offers professional advice to all event planners looking to pull off their special functions without a hitch, regardless of how demanding it can be.
Notable quote: “There is a reason behind every choice from food to program elements.”
Get The Business of Event Planning.
18. Marketing Your Event Planning Business: A Creative Approach to Gaining the Competitive Edge by Judy Allen
The event planning business can be competitive. Marketing Your Event Planning Business shows you how to set yourself apart from competitors and earn clients.
The book touches on all the critical topics in event planning marketing, including:
- developing niche markets
- diversifying your client base
- improving customer service
- establishing emergency business plans
Marketing Your Event Planning Business presents several models and approaches to growth and competitive advantage in your business. When you do win those clients, the author guides you on delivering added value to your customers. Marketing Your Event Planning Business suits event planners and managers in almost any industry, including hospitality, travel, or culinary industries.
Notable quote: “It is important to determine ahead of time how much you can spend so that you can select the appropriate event style and plan the event to fit the budget.”
Get Marketing Your Event Planning Business.
19. Boring Meetings Suck: Get More out of Your Meetings, or Get out of More Meetings by Jon Petz
Boring meetings suck, and most participants can attest to that. Boring Meetings Suck reveals how to run engaging meetings. The book also shares tips to prevent the drudging monotony associated with meetings.
This handbook unveils “Suckification Reduction Devices” to make your next meeting compelling. Boring Meetings Suck contains relevant and actionable recommendations. You can apply this book to boardroom meetings with few attendees or large conference room meetings. The book’s focus on dealing with large meetings makes it one of the most respected conference planning books.
Notable quote: “In reality, if your meeting is productive and engaging, you will not have random texting that is not directly related to the function of the meeting.”
Get Boring Meetings Suck.
20. The Art of Event Planning: Pro Tips from an Industry Insider by Gianna Cardinale Gaudini
The Art of Event Planning is a book by former Event Leader for Vision Fund, Gianna Gaudini. She is also the current Head of Events, Certification, and Training for Amazon Web Services. In this resource, she reveals the truth about her successful events. Regardless of where you are on the experience plane, you are bound to benefit from her cases, lessons, and tips learned from years of planning functions.
The Art of Event Planning explores the following:
- building a career as an organizer
- putting together an event planning team
- selecting venues
- navigating contracts
- personalizing gatherings
- creating unforgettable experiences
Gaudini delves into her success and challenges in great detail and provides an outline you can follow to design great events.
Notable quote: “The beginnings of your career might can be intimidating, but you likely already have foundational skills that will lead you to success.”
Get The Art of Event Planning.
Conclusion
Event planning books show you how to create events that leave a lasting impression on attendees. Before the event, the books guide you on critical actions such as building a team, choosing speakers, and selecting venues. You will also learn to handle unforeseen challenges during the event to ensure a smooth, timely occasion.
After the event, you attendees should feel satisfied and excited to be at your next event. The best event planning books cover those topics while helping you create successful events at any level. The books are great for individuals with a flair for event planning, team managers planning corporate events, and event planning professionals.
Next, check out our lists of event attendee gifts, virtual event kits, and conference swag ideas.
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