This article lists all the books that should be mandatory readings for event planners.

1. 10 books every event
planner should read
Recommendations by

2. 1. Into the heart of meetings
Author: Eric de Groot and Mike van der Vijver
Summary: This book provides a wonderful introduction to
meeting design. Unlike the many books on the profession
that emphasize logistics, this book delves into core
questions about meeting design, such as uncovering desired
outcomes, working with meeting owners, and what to do to
create truly innovative meetings that deliver results. The
real-life examples included make this book a fascinating and
thought-provoking read.

3. 2. The 7 habits of highly effective people
Author: Stephen R. Covey
Summary: With over 15 million copies in print, the book has
become a classic. The integrated, principle-centered 7 Habits
philosophy has helped readers find solutions to their personal
and professional problems, and achieve a life characterized by
fairness, integrity, honesty, and dignity. Covey's tried and true
step-by-step approach can now be even more thoroughly
explored in this new workbook that helps readers further
understand, appreciate, and internalize the power of the 7
Habits.

4. 3. Setting the table
Author: Danny Meyer
Summary: Danny Meyer thinks that "If you trust and empower people
to do a good job, they will". The book engages in explaining two
important concepts - "fear based control" vs "trust based control". The
author shares the lessons he learned while developing the winning
recipe for doing the business he calls "enlightened hospitality." This
innovative philosophy emphasizes putting the power of hospitality to
work in a new and counterintuitive way: The first and most important
application of hospitality is to the people who work for you, and then,
in descending order of priority, to the guests, the community, the
suppliers, and the investors.

5. 4. How to think like Leonardo Da Vinci
Author: Michael Gelb
Summary: This book is a mandatory reading if you want to
consider how to live and create better. Michael Gelb centers
this book on models of the very highest achievements and
demonstrates how genius is put together, by steps virtually
anyone can take, if they have the willingness to practice. Gelb
makes the practical teachings of history's great genius come
alive for the modern world. We recommended it to anyone
who wants to experience a professional renaissance.

6. 5. Special events
Author: Joe Goldblatt
Summary: This title is a good choice for peers just getting
started in the industry. The author takes you step-by-step
through every process of event managing. Goldblatt chronicles
and champions the development, changes, and challenges
faced by the global celebrations industry for event planners.
The book includes interviews with experienced events leaders
and gives a better understanding of the field. Event
measurement, evaluation, and assessment are topics that are
integrated throughout a number of the chapters.

7. 6. The accidental creative
Author: Todd Henry
Summary: The book provides guidance on how to make
adjustments in your daily routines to facilitate and increase your
creativity, which is a vital asset when your profession requires
creativity on demand. Henry shows how to cultivate the mindset
and the methods you need to sustain your enthusiasm, push
through mental barriers, and unleash your best work each day.
His guiding principles and checkpoints include: define your
goals, be fiercely curious and step out of your comfort zone.
His advice is to embrace the importance of now, and to refuse
to accept comfort, fear and familiarity.

8. 7. Meeting architecture, a manifesto
Author: Maarten Vanneste
Summary: This book explains in detail the potential that
meetings and conferences have in changing behaviours. This is
the book to read if you want to learn how to get that final result of
your meetings. Maarten Vanneste focuses on the content side of
meetings - what happens during the meeting that is important to
meeting owners - the meeting initiators, and their objectives.
What changes in the minds of the participants, what influences
the participants, what supports the objectives of the meeting in
terms of learning, networking and motivation.

9. 8. Theme ideas handbook
Author: Jerry Busche
Summary: Anyone burdened with the task of planning a meeting or
conference knows that the first stumbling block in the overall
process is coming up with a knockout theme. Without a clear
and concise theme for the session you are dead in the water. This
book explores more than 600 theme ideas for meetings, conferences,
parties, and events of all types: sales meetings, staff and team
building meetings, conventions, receptions, banquets, office breakout
sessions, seminars. It is perfect for any business or organization, any
department, any occasion: Sales, Marketing, Customer Service,
Telemarketing, Safety, Production, Staff Support, Associations, Non-
Profits.

10. 9. Boring meetings suck
Author: Jon Petz
Summary: Most of the millions of meetings held in the world today are a
monumental waste of time and talent. Worse still, most of the so-called
solutions and books for boring meetings are twice as boring.This title
covers new meeting techniques for focused and results-driven events. It
teaches you simple steps to get everyone on board and make meetings
more effective. With this book you are going to learn how to “get in, get it
done and get out” to make your next meeting more efficient and effective. It
helps you to determine which bad meetings you can skip and how to avoid
poor meeting etiquette. It totally resonates with anyone who has ever
attended tons of boring conferences and meetings.

11. 10. Designing successful meetings
Authors: Susan E. Mundry, Senta A. Raizen,
Susan Loucks-Horsley, Edward D. Britton
Summary: This book provides guidance, tips, and suggestions for
planning professional events that will result in substantial learning for
participants. Written for professionals with all levels of experience, it is
based on the authors' experiences with designing and conducting meetings.
Finally, a step-by-step guide to maximize your efforts and create the kinds
of learning experiences participants will rave about. Designed for first-time
as well as veteran event planners, this practical hands-on guide is full of
concrete strategies, tips, and suggestions for creating dynamic events.