Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners
Coordinate activities of staff, convention personnel, or clients to make arrangements for group meetings, events, or conventions.
Also called: Catering Director · Conference Planner · Conference Planning Manager · Conference Services Director · Conference Services Manager · Convention Services Director
Median pay (national)
$59,440
$35,990–$101,310 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
134,670
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+4.8%
~15,500 openings/yr
Typical entry
Bachelor's degree
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for meeting, convention, and event planners shows an unusually wide range: the top 10% earn $101,310 versus $35,990 at the bottom 10% — 2.8x. The median of $59,440 leaves roughly 70% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +4.8% from 2024 to 2034 — faster than the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 15,500 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 53 states with released data, Maine pays the most for this role (median $127,160, +114% vs the national median), while Puerto Rico sits lowest at $29,950 — a 325% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Speaking as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list. On the tools side, O*NET flags Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint as in-demand technologies for this role.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Writing
- Monitoring
- Active Learning
- Mathematics
- Learning Strategies
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- 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.
Tools & technology
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Adobe Creative Cloud software
- Adobe InDesign
- Adobe Photoshop
- ESRI ArcGIS software
- Hypertext markup language HTML
- Marketo Marketing Automation
- Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio Management
- Trimble SketchUp Pro
- Active Network EventRegister
- Blackbaud The Raiser's Edge
- Convention Industry Council CIC APEX Toolbox
Knowledge areas
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Communications and Media
- Administrative
- Administration and Management
- Computers and Electronics
- Public Safety and Security
- Law and Government