Life As a Meeting, Convention, or Event Planner

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

A Day in the Life of a Meeting, Convention, or Event Planner

• Develop event topics and choose featured speakers.
• Coordinate services for events, such as accommodation and transportation for participants, facilities, catering, signage, displays, special needs requirements, printing and event security.
• Design and implement efforts to publicize events and promote sponsorships.
• Plan and develop programs, agendas, budgets, and services according to customer requirements.
• Direct administrative details, such as financial operations, dissemination of promotional materials, and responses to inquiries.
• Maintain records of event aspects, including financial details.

Things a Meeting, Convention, or Event Planner Should Know How to Do

Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.

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

• Convention Worker
• Event Organizer
• Party Planner
• Events Director
• Corporate Meeting Planner

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.

Average Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners Salary

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.

Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners in different U.S. states.

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 education is needed to be a Meeting, Convention, or Event Planner?

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:

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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
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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.

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