Of the fields that keep people on their toes, event planning ranks among the top. As any event planner knows, things rarely go according to plan. Putting together these occasions requires professionals to balance creativity with practical logistics and stress with celebrations. When navigating these ups and downs, it helps to have some fun and inspirational quotes to remind yourself that you are not alone in this adventure. We have compiled a list of 24 quotes to inspire your creativity and commiserate with you when things get tough. Scroll through our list and see if you find your new favorite quote to hang behind your desk or post on your Instagram.
Inspirational Event Planner Quotes
When the going gets tough in event planning, we could all use a little inspiration to keep us moving forward. Here are some great quotes to keep you on track.
1. “The best way to predict the future is to create it.” Peter Drucker
If you want things to come out the way you envision them, it is up to you to make them happen. As event planners, we have the power to bring a vision to life, and that’s powerful.
2. “Success is where preparation and opportunity meet.” Bobby Unser
As any event planner knows, planning the perfect occasion requires a balance of careful preparation and recognizing and seizing opportunities.
3. “Plans are nothing; planning is everything.” Dwight D. Eisenhower
Eisenhower may have been speaking about international affairs here, but the same applies to hosting an industry conference. Visions and ideas might be great, but getting down into the nitty-gritty is what will bring them to life.
4. “Always remember the reason why you started, especially in those moments when self-doubt comes in. The reason you started will always pull you out of the shadows.” Lily Ehumadu
Event planning will always come with challenges. To keep you going when the stress starts to get to you, you need to keep your eye on the ‘why’. Knowing what you dreamed about creating and what you hoped to achieve will pull you through the challenges.
5. “Without leaps of imagination, or dreaming, we lose the excitement of possibilities. Dreaming, after all, is a form of planning.” Gloria Steinem
Event planners are great at seeing the potential and possibilities of an occasion. The joy in event planning comes from bringing those dreams to life.
6. “Don’t wait for extraordinary opportunities. Seize common occasions and make them great.” Orison Swett Marden
If we spend all our time waiting for extraordinary circumstances, we might never get it. As event planners, it is about seizing the ordinary circumstances and seeing the potential to turn them into something extraordinary.
Funny (Because It’s True) Quotes About Event Planning
As every event planner knows, sometimes, despite the best planning and careful preparation, everything can seem to go wrong at once. When everything seems to be exploding around you, here are some great quotes to help you laugh it off, remember you’re not alone, and give you the courage to keep going.
7. “Behind every great event is a planner quietly having a panic attack.” Unknown
We’ve all been there. Stressing about every detail, wondering if you will be able to get through the event when everything seems to go wrong at once. Just keep going.
8. “If everything is under control, you’re not planning hard enough.” Adapted from Mario Andretti
Are you breathing a sigh of relief because everything seems under control? As experienced event planners know, it’s time to double-check that you’re not forgetting something!
9. “I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by.” Douglas Adams
Deadlines: those lofty ideals we put on our calendar. Everyone can commiserate with the struggles to keep to their schedule.
10. “I’m in charge of thinking of things before people know they need them.” Joan Harris (Mad Men character)
Does that sound impossible? Every event planner knows that it is in the job description. And if you fail to preemptively think of something, things can go wrong very quickly.
11. “To achieve great things, two things are needed: a plan and not quite enough time.” Leonard Bernstein
There’s nothing like being pressed for time that can get people extremely motivated to finish their tasks.
12. “Event planning is the art of managing the unexpected, repeatedly, while smiling.” Unknown
As an event planner, you know how often you will need to juggle constant, unexpected surprises. The key to being a good event planner is being able to do that while smiling.
13. “Event planning: where coffee becomes a food group and emails never sleep.” Unknown
When you have an event barreling towards you, there can never be enough coffee.
Motivational Quotes to Power Through Event Chaos
When chaos erupts around your event preparations, you have the skills you need to power through and get it done.
14. “Keep calm and plan on.” Unknown
Just repeat this to yourself to stay on track and on target.
15. “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” Arthur Ashe
Don’t let yourself get bogged down in what you’re lacking. Start with what you have available and see what you can achieve.
16. “Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after the other.” Walter Elliot
When it seems that nothing is going your way, remember that a successful event is about achieving one small goal at a time. Don’t overwhelm yourself by looking at everything at once. Look first at what’s directly in front of you.
17. “Mile by mile one hits the milestone.” Amit Kalantri
Struggling towards that milestone? Remember that you just need to tackle it piece by piece.
18. “If I had six hours to chop down a tree, I’d spend the first four hours sharpening the ax.” Abraham Lincoln
It is key to remember that planning and preparation are the cornerstone of taking on any large task.
19. “Nothing will work unless you do.” Maya Angelou
To achieve your goals, you need to put in elbow grease. When it seems as though everything is going wrong, don’t back away but roll up your sleeves and get ready to dive in.
Quotes That Celebrate the Magic of Events
Event planners get involved in the field because we love seeing all the pieces come together in a spectacular way. You bring people together, shine beauty and creativity on special occasions, and take pride in what you do.
20. “Events are the stories we tell in real time.” Unknown
The events you put together are the memories and stories people can tell for years to come. You are helping to tell that story in real time.
21. “Great events are not luck. They’re planned.” Unknown
The perfect occasion does not happen by chance. Someone like you carefully laid it out. This profession lets you be a part of that process.
22. “Life should not only be lived, it should be celebrated.” Osho
When you put together events, you put together celebrations and occasions that make things special for your attendees.
23. “Some people look for a beautiful place. Others make a place beautiful.” Hazrat Inavat Khan
As an event planner, you play a critical role in making places and occasions something special for everyone involved.
24. “Events are these really special magical things that can create bonds between people, brands, and community.” Mark Kilens
When you put together an event, you contribute directly to building bonds between everyone involved, and that is beautiful and powerful.
Final Thoughts on Event Planner Quotes
When you struggle with some of the day-to-day tasks associated with event planning, quotes like these can offer you the humor, hope, and validation you need to know that you are not alone and that your job has a concrete, powerful effect on people.
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