What Do Meeting, Convention, or Event Planner Do?
Example of Meeting, Convention, or Event Planner Job 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
- Promote conference, convention and trades show services by performing tasks such as meeting with professional and trade associations, and producing brochures and other publications.
- 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.
- Develop event topics and choose featured speakers.
- Maintain records of event aspects, including financial details.
- Evaluate and select providers of services according to customer requirements.
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Meeting, Convention, or Event Planner Needed 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.
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.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
Types of Meeting, Convention, or Event Planner Jobs
- Special Events Planner
- Event Specialist
- Certified Meeting Professional
- Event Organizer
- Event Planner
Meeting, Convention, or Event Planner Employment Estimates
In the United States, there were 116,700 jobs for Meeting, Convention, or Event Planner in 2016. 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. The BLS estimates 15,100 yearly job openings in this field.
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
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.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners in different U.S. states.
| 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
- 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?
Education needed to be a Meeting, Convention, or Event Planner:
What work experience do I need 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.
Related Careers
Those interested in being a Meeting, Convention, or Event Planner may also be interested in:
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:
Image Credit: Bblackpsu via Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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