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

Job 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: What Do They Do?

• Hire, train, and supervise volunteers and support staff required for events.
• Develop event topics and choose featured speakers.
• Direct administrative details, such as financial operations, dissemination of promotional materials, and responses to inquiries.
• Consult with customers to determine objectives and requirements for events, such as meetings, conferences, and conventions.
• Arrange the availability of audio-visual equipment, transportation, displays, and other event needs.
• Maintain records of event aspects, including financial details.

Meeting, Convention, or Event Planner Required Skills

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.

Types of Meeting, Convention, or Event Planner Jobs

• Corporate Meeting Planner
• Planner
• Scheduling Coordinator
• Event Planner
• Conference Services Manager

Are There Job Opportunities for Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners?

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. There will be an estimated 15,100 positions for Meeting, Convention, or Event Planner per 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.

Meeting, Convention, or Event Planner 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.

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

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

How many years of work experience do I need?

Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners Sector

The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

Related Careers

Those thinking about becoming a Meeting, Convention, or Event Planner might also be interested in the following careers:

• 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.