What You Need to Know About Meeting, Convention, or Event Planner

Occupation Description 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

• Maintain records of event aspects, including financial details.
• Negotiate contracts with such service providers and suppliers as hotels, convention centers, and speakers.
• Obtain permits from fire and health departments to erect displays and exhibits and serve food at events.
• Coordinate services for events, such as accommodation and transportation for participants, facilities, catering, signage, displays, special needs requirements, printing and event security.
• Arrange the availability of audio-visual equipment, transportation, displays, and other event needs.
• Monitor event activities to ensure compliance with applicable regulations and laws, satisfaction of participants, and resolution of any problems that arise.

Qualities of a Meeting, Convention, or Event Planner

Below is a list of the skills most Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners say are important on the job.

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.

Related Job Titles

• Scheduling Coordinator
• Convention Services Director
• Events Director
• Conventions Reservationist
• Conference Services Director

Job Opportunities for Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners

There were about 116,700 jobs for Meeting, Convention, or Event Planner in 2016 (in the United States). 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.

Salary for a Meeting, Convention, or Event Planner

The salary for Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners ranges between about $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

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners may use on a daily basis:

• 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 to Become a Meeting, Convention, or Event Planner

Individuals working as a Meeting, Convention, or Event Planner have obtained the following education levels:

How Long Does it Take to Become a Meeting, Convention, or Event Planner?

Who Employs Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners?

The table below shows the approximate number of Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners employed by various industries.

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

Are you already one of the many Meeting, Convention, or Event Planner in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:

• 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.