What Does it Take to Be a Meeting, Convention, or Event Planner?

Job Description & Duties Coordinate activities of staff, convention personnel, or clients to make arrangements for group meetings, events, or conventions.

Life As a Meeting, Convention, or Event Planner

• Read trade publications, attend seminars, and consult with other meeting professionals to keep abreast of meeting management standards and trends.
• Obtain permits from fire and health departments to erect displays and exhibits and serve food at events.
• Organize registration of event participants.
• Negotiate contracts with such service providers and suppliers as hotels, convention centers, and speakers.
• Meet with sponsors and organizing committees to plan scope and format of events, to establish and monitor budgets, or to review administrative procedures and event progress.
• Arrange the availability of audio-visual equipment, transportation, displays, and other event needs.

Meeting, Convention, or Event Planner Skills

These are the skills Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners say are the most useful in their careers:

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Types of Meeting, Convention, or Event Planner

• Special Events Coordinator
• Party Planner
• Certified Meeting Professional
• Catering Director
• Catering and Convention Services Manager

Job Demand for Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners

In 2016, there was an estimated number of 116,700 jobs in the United States for Meeting, Convention, or Event Planner. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 10.9% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 12,700 new jobs for Meeting, Convention, or Event Planner by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 15,100 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for Meeting, Convention, or Event Planner are Utah, Colorado, and Nevada. Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, Alaska, or West Virginia. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

What is the Average Salary of a Meeting, Convention, or Event Planner

Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners make between $27,560 and $84,900 a year.

Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners who work in District of Columbia, New Jersey, or New York, make the highest salaries.

How much do Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners make in each U.S. state?

State	Annual Mean Salary
Alabama	$44,280
Alaska	$50,830
Arizona	$44,160
Arkansas	$45,490
California	$57,960
Colorado	$51,060
Connecticut	$59,790
Delaware	$49,280
District of Columbia	$67,970
Florida	$48,940
Georgia	$50,950
Hawaii	$60,340
Idaho	$37,280
Illinois	$52,570
Indiana	$48,970
Iowa	$44,770
Kansas	$42,470
Kentucky	$40,000
Louisiana	$42,320
Maine	$47,050
Maryland	$56,250
Massachusetts	$56,570
Michigan	$47,090
Minnesota	$51,130
Mississippi	$41,110
Missouri	$45,140
Montana	$40,370
Nebraska	$45,720
Nevada	$47,410
New Hampshire	$49,370
New Jersey	$65,950
New Mexico	$37,400
New York	$67,990
North Carolina	$47,080
North Dakota	$47,780
Ohio	$48,590
Oklahoma	$43,300
Oregon	$49,100
Pennsylvania	$48,670
Rhode Island	$57,980
South Carolina	$40,040
South Dakota	$36,840
Tennessee	$48,980
Texas	$53,230
Utah	$45,130
Vermont	$49,210
Virginia	$60,830
Washington	$53,380
West Virginia	$42,760
Wisconsin	$46,160
Wyoming	$44,580

Tools & Technologies Used by Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners:

• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Office
• Hypertext markup language HTML
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Microsoft Outlook
• Web browser software
• Microsoft Access
• Data entry software
• Microsoft Project
• Spreadsheet software
• Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
• Microsoft Dynamics
• Facebook
• Microsoft Publisher
• Google Docs
• FileMaker Pro
• Adobe Systems Adobe InDesign
• Geographic information system GIS software
• Google Drive

How do I Become a Meeting, Convention, or Event Planner?

What kind of Meeting, Convention, or Event Planner requirements are there?

What work experience do I need to become a Meeting, Convention, or Event Planner?

Where Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners Work

Below are examples of industries where Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners work:

You May Also Be Interested In…

Those interested in being a Meeting, Convention, or Event Planner may also be interested in:

• Chefs and Head Cooks

Career changers with experience as a Meeting, Convention, or Event Planner sometimes find work in one of the following fields:

• Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes
• Producers
• Public Relations and Fundraising Managers

References:

• Bureau of Labor Statistics
• College Factual
• O*NET Online

Image Credit: Bblackpsu via Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International

More about our data sources and methodologies.