The event industry is lucky to have #eventprofs – a vibrant and powerful worldwide community of event professionals who share success stories, knowledge, and resources. In addition to connecting and sharing their insights on social media, many of these savvy event professionals have turned their wisdom into written books based on their experiences, offering valuable insights and practical tips. event profs
We’ve compiled a list of books for event planners written by event planners. Whether you’re a seasoned event planner or an emerging professional, these books cover a range of topics, from the basics of event planning to the more complex aspects of event design and execution. With several options, you’re sure to find a book (or two!) to add to your event planning toolkit.
So, grab a cup of coffee, curl up with one of these books, and get ready to be inspired!
Harnessing Serendipity by David Adler
Geared to event organizers, business executives, and other forward-thinking individuals, Harnessing Serendipity showcases invaluable insights from 65 thought-leaders and change-makers across multiple industries to highlight the power of collaboration.
You’ll learn a game-changing blueprint for fostering a collaborative culture that drives progress and success.
Intentional Event Design: Our Professional Opportunity by Tahira Endean
Creating experiences where audiences feel their participation was the best use of their time and financial investment, and stakeholders see the value of investing, requires making intentional decisions based on the knowledge available about our participants and their needs.
Tahira breaks down seven principles of intentional event design, which touch on everything from technology integration at events and brain-friendly design to digital marketing and creative learning formats.
Reinventing Live: The Always-On Future of Events by Marco Giberti and Denzil Rankine
Forget the traditional one-off, in-person event. Instead, events are fast-becoming catalysts for building communities and nurturing customer relationships ‘all year round’ – with event technology at the core.
Based on dozens of interviews with senior executives, entrepreneurs, and investors, this book is packed with practical case studies designed to provide new strategies, tools, and insights to navigate the new world where event organizers embrace their role to facilitate – business, connections, education, and advocacy.
Supercharge Your Virtual Speaking: Establishing Yourself as a Reliable Online Speaker by Paul Cook
Speaking to an online audience that cannot be seen is more complex than it first appears.
This relaxed, conversational style book is packed with practical and unexpected insights from experience gained over many years. With virtual speaking skills still in high demand, this book can help you deliver your best virtual presentation.
The Roaring Twenties: Marketing & Selling Better in the Post-Pandemic Decade: Creating Strategies for Shifting B2B and B2C Consumer Behavior by Shawna Suckow
How many times have your priorities and focus shifted since the pandemic began? You’re not alone. The entire world has shifted.
In this book, Shawna discusses how to dust off those old sales and marketing strategies and revive them for the new marketplace of the Roaring Twenties. Because our attendees have changed quickly and dramatically thanks to the pandemic, it’s no time to keep doing the same old-same-old.
The Strategic Planning Guide for Event Professionals: How Strategic Events Will: Ignite Your Career, Transform Your Company & Elevate the Entire Meeting Industry by Christy Lamagna
Christy has been featured in Forbes, Fast Company, and Entrepreneur and is a sought-after speaker, facilitator, and coach across multiple industries. Her expertise is turning events into powerful sales tools that drive business value.
This book is a must-read for event professionals with bottom-line accountability. Gain valuable insights to dramatically transform your meetings to deliver quantifiable ROI and influence what your target audiences feel, think, say, and do.
The Meeting Planning Process: A Guide to Planning Successful Meetings by Mary Jo Wiseman
As a Certified Meeting Professional, Mary Jo offers a commonsense approach to managing the meeting planning process based on the knowledge and experience she garnered over her career as a corporate meeting and event coordinator.
She firmly believes it isn’t one person who makes a meeting or event happen but rather a well-led team of dedicated, enthusiastic, talented individuals coming together to do what they do best. Her book offers a practical overview of the entire planning process that’s helpful both for those starting in the business and meeting veterans.
Think Small!: The Little Book with Big Impact by Lisa L. Demmi
When looking at an event (or any other goal or project), the focus is often on the big picture – which can be extremely overwhelming. Remember the question, “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.”
Lisa explores the “Think Small” method of writing down your goals, breaking them into bite-sized pieces, and then doing one thing every day.
Where’s the Office?: Moving Today’s Leaders from What IS to What CAN BE by Heather Hansen O’Neill
Inspired leaders strive to be better at every turn. They embrace change and look to engage and encourage their people to reach new levels. But what happens when the world around you is constantly changing and the very place you work is removed?
Heather provides a new perspective that the “office” resides within you and that you can lead from wherever you are. She provides both the strategy and innovative tools, including Mind SPACE and The Seven Levels of Communication, to elevate how you communicate to better lead teams, initiatives, and yourself.
Everyday Mindfulness For C-Suite: 30 Days to A Calm & Powerful Executive Presence by Holly Duckworth
When something doesn’t go as planned in events, there is no time for panic. A calm and collected presence matters more than ever.
How can you set the energy for your team that is honest, transparent, and mindful? Holly’s book offers a daily 2-5 minute reading designed as an opportunity to center and set an intention to inspire your mindset for the rest of the day.
Engaging Virtual Meetings: Openers, Games, and Activities for Communication, Morale, and Trust by John Chen
To say we’ve all faced virtual fatigue at some point over the last several years would be an understatement! Engaging Virtual Meetings offers concrete strategies and practical tips for bringing teams together across the digital divide.
While many need help to build teams in a virtual environment, John has found successful methods to create team cohesion, promote engagement, and increase virtual participation. This book is an excellent addition for anyone interested in creating and building engagement in team settings of all kinds.
For more information and tips to improve your events, check out our Resource Library.