Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners

Career Overview

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

Also Known As

• Conference Planning Manager
• Conference Services Manager
• Convention Services Manager (CSM)
• Events Manager

Alternate Job Titles

• Catering and Convention Services Manager
• Catering Coordinator
• Catering Director
• Certified Meeting Professional
• Conference Manager
• Conference Organizer
• Conference Planner
• Conference Planning Manager
• Conference Producer
• Conference Reservationist
• Conference Service Coordinator
• Conference Services Director
• Conference Services Manager
• Convention Manager
• Convention Planner

What You'll Do

In this role, your typical responsibilities include:

• Consult with customers to determine objectives and requirements for events, such as meetings, conferences, and conventions.
• Review event bills for accuracy and approve payment.
• 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.
• Confer with staff at a chosen event site to coordinate details.
• Inspect event facilities to ensure that they conform to customer requirements.
• Maintain records of event aspects, including financial details.

Emerging Responsibilities

As this field evolves, you may also:

• Contact potential clients, meet with professional and trade associations, and produce brochures and other publications to promote conference, convention, and trade show services.
• Plan and develop programs, agendas, budgets, menus, and services according to customer requirements.

Knowledge You'll Use

You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:

• Customer and Personal Service
• English Language
• Communications and Media

Essential Skills

Success in this career requires strong skills in:

1. Reading Comprehension
2. Active Listening
3. Speaking
4. Critical Thinking
5. Social Perceptiveness
6. Coordination
7. Service Orientation
8. Time Management
9. Complex Problem Solving
10. Judgment and Decision Making

Key Abilities

This career requires key abilities in:

• Oral Comprehension
• Oral Expression
• Written Expression
• Speech Recognition
• Written Comprehension
• Deductive Reasoning
• Problem Sensitivity
• Speech Clarity
• Fluency of Ideas
• Inductive Reasoning

Work Style

People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:

• Dependability
• Attention to Detail
• Social Orientation
• Cooperation
• Adaptability

What Matters in This Career

This career tends to satisfy these work values:

• Relationships
• Independence
• Achievement
• Recognition
• Working Conditions

Education & Preparation

Typical Education: Bachelor's Degree

Related Work Experience Needed: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years

On-the-Job Training: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years

Education Details: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Experience Required: A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

Technology You'll Use

Popular Technologies & Software

• Adobe Creative Cloud software
• Adobe InDesign
• Adobe Photoshop
• ESRI ArcGIS software
• Facebook
• Google Docs
• Hypertext markup language HTML
• Marketo Marketing Automation
• Microsoft Access
• Microsoft Excel

Tools & Equipment

• Desktop computers
• Laptop computers
• Overhead display projectors
• Personal computers
• Public address PA systems
• Two way radios
• Video projectors
• Videoconferencing equipment

Work Environment

• Telephone Conversations
• Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
• Contact With Others
• E-Mail
• Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team

Salary & Job Market

Salary Percentile	Annual Wage
Entry-Level (10th percentile)	$35,990
Median	$59,440
Top Earners (90th percentile)	$101,310

Workers Employed Nationally: 134,670

Related Careers

If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:

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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.