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Academy

Module 12: The Business of Event Planning

Starting an Ontario business, pricing models, finding clients, contracts, websites and SEO, scaling, specializing.

The Business of Event Planning is part of the free Event Planner Academy. It has 8 lessons, about 2 hours of study in total, and every lesson comes with a narrated video, a printable worksheet and a short quiz.

How to work through it

Watch the narrated video at the top of each lesson, then read the lesson itself. The video covers the key points; the page has the tables, examples and checklists.
Complete the worksheet for your own event, or for the running Harbour Gala example.
Take the quiz and mark the lesson complete. Your progress is saved in this browser.
Finish all twelve core modules and pass the final exam to print your free certificate.

A planner seen from behind walking into an empty Toronto event loft with exposed brick

Starting an event planning business in Ontario

Module 12: The Business of Event Planning · 15 min

Sole proprietorship vs corporation, business name registration, HST registration thresholds, insurance, bank account and the first contract.

A planner's hands arranging three sample table settings of increasing elegance on a long banquet table

Pricing models and packages

Module 12: The Business of Event Planning · 15 min

Day-of, partial, full-service and consulting packages that sell in the GTA, with price ranges and what each includes.

Hands exchanging a blank business card over cocktails at a rooftop bar

Finding your first ten clients

Module 12: The Business of Event Planning · 15 min

Referrals, venues, vendors, associations, content, and the one offer that converts. A 90-day plan.

Client tapping a card on a payment terminal held by a planner

Client contracts and getting paid

Module 12: The Business of Event Planning · 15 min

Your own agreement: scope, fee, deposits, cancellation, liability cap, photo rights. Invoicing and late payment.

A photographer seen from behind capturing a styled reception table with flowers and candles in a Toronto event

Websites, SEO and getting found

Module 12: The Business of Event Planning · 15 min

Positioning, a site that converts, local SEO for "event planner Toronto", reviews and directories.

A small event team seen from behind in a Toronto warehouse storeroom, organising labelled-free bins of linens

Systems, tools and scaling

Module 12: The Business of Event Planning · 15 min

CRM, proposals, contracts, payments, project boards, and when to hire your first coordinator.

A planner seen from behind watching a children's entertainer perform for seated kids in a bright Toronto

Specialising: choosing a niche

Module 12: The Business of Event Planning · 15 min

Weddings, corporate, cultural, festivals, fundraisers, kids, virtual. How to choose, and how to move between niches.

A planner seen from behind walking through a quiet Toronto event venue

Module 12 workshop: your business plan

Module 12: The Business of Event Planning · 15 min

Write the one-page business plan: positioning, packages, pricing, 90-day client plan, systems and first-year targets.