Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners

What the job really is

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

At a glance

• Sector: Business & Financial
• O*NET-SOC code: 13-1121
• O*NET job zone: 4 — considerable preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• 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.
• Monitor event activities to ensure compliance with applicable regulations and laws, satisfaction of participants, and resolution of any problems that arise.
• Negotiate contracts with such service providers and suppliers as hotels, convention centers, and speakers.
• Evaluate and select providers of services according to customer requirements.
• Plan and develop programs, agendas, budgets, and services according to customer requirements.
• Hire, train, and supervise volunteers and support staff required for events.

Tools and technology

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, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Fundraisers
• Public Relations Specialists
• Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants
• First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services
• Project Management Specialists
• Social and Community Service Managers
• Media Programming Directors
• First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 4 (considerable preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.