Meeting and Convention Planner

What a Meeting and Convention Planner Does

Anyone who has ever tried to plan a formal gathering of any kind knows that the task requires hard work. But whereas most only have to plan a few occasions each year for birthday gatherings and family reunions, meeting and convention planners earn their livings by organizing events that hundreds of people may attend. These planners work with clients to determine the purpose of the gathering, the tone that should be conveyed, and other general details, such as how many people are attending and what type of activities will be conducted. They then secure a location for the event, work out financial deals with venue and supply vendors, find out what types of special amenities are required, contact caterers to set up the arrangements for refreshments and dining, as well as secure any other types of equipment or supplies that will be needed. Leading up to the event, planners also arrange transportation, registration, and lodging for all of the attendees. Some planners also work to market the event, adding a marketing and advertising aspect to the job.

How to Become a Meeting and Convention Planner

There are no formal education requirements for those looking to become meeting and convention planners, but most employers will only consider those who have at least a bachelor's degree in communications or another related field, such as management, public relations, and hospitality. Communication skills are essential to the profession due to the sheer amount of people that the planner will be dealing with, including suppliers, clients, and convention attendees. Most communications majors who plan to become meeting and convention planners take courses in management, public speaking, and crowd control, as well as some human psychology classes. The bachelor's degree program takes at least four years to complete, and a master's degree can take an additional two years to complete. Most of the specific job training, however, is done after a meeting and convention planner is hired. Supervisors will start new planners out on managing smaller scale meetings, as well as working with more experienced planners on bigger projects. As the planner proves his or her competence on the job with successfully organized events, then more complex projects will be given to them. Voluntary certifications can also be earned to increase one's marketability during the job hunting process.

Career Outlook for Meeting and Convention Planners

International business is booming, and even local companies are beginning to hire more people from across state lines than ever before. As a result, meetings and conventions are becoming more frequent, as well as more important because these events bring a company's otherwise scattered team together and also serve as a way to meet business partners. With more meetings taking place, there will be an increase in demand for meeting and conventional planners. In fact, employment opportunities for planners are projected to increase 16 percent over the 2008-18 decade, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported. This means that by 2018, approximately 8,800 new meeting and convention planning jobs will have opened up, which is not including the positions left by those who retire or otherwise leave the industry. There are financial rewards to be gained in the field as well. In May 2008, the BLS reported that the median annual wage of planners was $44,260, though the highest paid 10 percent of planners earned a lucrative $74,610 per year. The specific pay that planners receive depends on their employers as well as the types of events they organize.