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Careers in the Music Industry

Meeting/Convention/Event Planner

by Stuart Paterson

Snapshot

Career Cluster(s): Arts, A/V Technology & Communications; Business, Management & Administration; Hospitality & Tourism; Human Services; Marketing; Transportation, Distribution & Logistics

Interests: Events; Concerts; Socialization; Interior Design; Health and Safety

Earnings (Yearly Average): $51,560

Employment & Outlook: Much Faster Than Average Growth Expected

Overview

Sphere of Work

Meeting, convention, and event planners arrange all aspects of events and professional gatherings. They arrange meeting locations, transportation, and other details. They may also be responsible for arranging live musical performances or events that involve them.

Work Environment

Meeting, convention, and event planners split their time between office environments and working on-location at the sites of upcoming events.

Among other things, meeting and event planners manage large outdoor events such as concerts.

CIMusic_p0219_1.jpg

Photo via iStock.com/lisegagne. [Used under license.]

Occupation Interest

Meeting, convention, and event planners are usually social individuals who enjoy organizing public events. As such, they are meticulous and enjoy multitasking, and working with deadlines. Events can range from parties to full-scale tradeshows and conventions, and may include working with musicians, or organizing occasions entirely dedicated to live musical performance.

Profile

Working Conditions: Both Inside and Outside

Physical Strength: Medium Work

Education Needs: Bachelor’s Degree

Licensure/Certification: Optional

Opportunities for Experience: On-the-Job Training

Interest Score: ECS

A Day in the Life—Duties and Responsibilities

Meeting, convention, and event planners organize a variety of social and professional events, including weddings, educational conferences, business conventions, and concerts. They coordinate every detail of these events, including finances. Before planning a meeting, for example, planners meet with clients to estimate attendance and determine the meeting’s purpose. During the event, they handle logistics, such as registering guests and organizing audiovisual equipment. After the meeting, they make sure that all vendors are paid, and they may survey attendees to obtain feedback on the event.

Meeting, convention, and event planners search for potential meeting sites, such as hotels and convention centers, and live music venues. They consider the lodging and services that the facility can provide (if any), how easy it will be for people to get there, and the attractions that the surrounding area has to offer.

Once a location is selected, planners arrange the event space and support services, such as catering and interpreters. They negotiate contracts with suppliers and coordinate plans with the venue’s staff. They may also organize speakers, entertainment, and activities.

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Meeting with clients to understand the purpose of the event

  • Planning the scope of the event, including its time, location, and cost

  • Soliciting bids from venues and service providers

  • Inspecting venues to ensure that they meet the client’s requirements

  • Coordinating event services such as rooms, transportation, and food

  • Monitoring event activities to ensure that the client and the attendees are satisfied

  • Reviewing event bills and approving payments

Occupation Specialties

Convention Planner

Convention planners arrange conventions and conferences for organizations. Association planners organize annual conferences and trade shows for professional associations. Convention service managers work for hotels and convention centers. They act as liaisons between the meeting facility and the planners who work for associations, businesses, and governments. They present food service options to outside planners, coordinate special requests, and suggest hotel services that work within a planner’s budget.

Event Planner

Event planners arrange the details of a variety of events. Wedding planners are the most well known, but event planners also coordinate celebrations such as anniversaries, reunions, and other large social events, as well as corporate events, including product launches, galas, and award ceremonies. Nonprofit event planners plan large events with the goal of raising donations for a charity or advocacy organization. Events may include concerts, banquets, charity races, and food drives.

Exhibition Organizer

Exhibition organizers are responsible for all aspects of planning, promoting, and producing a display. They are also called exhibit managers, show managers, or show organizers.

Meeting Planner

Meeting planners plan large meetings for organizations. Healthcare meeting planners specialize in organizing meetings and conferences for healthcare professionals. Corporate planners organize internal business meetings and meetings between businesses. These events may be in person or online and held either within corporate facilities or offsite to include more people.

Work Environment

Immediate Physical Environment

Meeting, convention, and event planners spend time in their offices and at event locations, such as hotels and convention centers. They may travel regularly to attend the events they organize and to visit meeting sites.

The work of meeting, convention, and event planners can be fast-paced and demanding. Planners oversee many aspects of an event at the same time and face numerous deadlines, and they may coordinate multiple meetings or events at the same time.

Most meeting, convention, and event planners work full time, and many work more than 40 hours per week. They often work additional hours to finalize preparations as major events approach. During meetings or conventions, planners may work on weekends.

Human Environment

Meeting, convention, and event planners interact with others daily, from coworkers and supervisors to clients. They are required to routinely meet with clients and other stakeholders to ensure events adhere to specifications. They may also attend events in person.

Technological Environment

Meeting, convention, and event planners should be familiar with word processing software, spreadsheets, and database software in order to organize and track the many components of meetings and events. Specialized project management software may also be utilized for this purpose. Digital technology such as virtual meeting tools are becoming increasingly prevalent, as the need for a strong social media presence, so planners should be prepared to incorporate these elements into their events. Planners may also become familiar with state-of-the-art audiovisual systems and other technological components that factor into events, such as lighting, in order to stay on top of current industry trends.

Education, Training, and Advancement

High School/Secondary

Students interested in careers in event planning should concentrate on English courses to develop communication skills. Math courses related to business and finance are also helpful.

Suggested High School Subjects

  • Algebra

  • Biology

  • Chemistry

  • Civics

  • Earth or Life or Physical Science

  • Economics

  • English

  • Finance/Accounting

  • Geography

  • Geometry

  • History

  • Psychology

  • Statistics

Related Career Pathways/Majors

Arts, A/V Technology & Communications Career Cluster

  • A/V Technology & Film Career Pathway

Business, Management & Administration Career Cluster

  • General Management Pathway

Hospitality & Tourism Career Cluster

  • Lodging Pathway

  • Recreation, Amusements & Attractions Pathway

  • Travel & Tourism Pathway

Human Services Career Cluster

  • Consumer Services Pathway

Marketing, Sales & Service Career Cluster

  • Marketing Communications Pathway

  • Marketing Management Pathway

  • Marketing Research Pathway

  • Professional Sales Pathway

Transportation, Distribution & Logistics Career Cluster

  • Logistics Planning & Management Services Pathway

Transferable Skills and Abilities

Communication Skills

  • Exchanging information with clients, suppliers, and event staff

  • Possessing excellent written and oral communication skills to express the needs of clients

Interpersonal Skills

  • Establishing and maintaining positive relationships with clients and suppliers

Negotiation Skills

  • Securing quality products and services at reasonable prices for clients

Organizational Skills

  • Multitasking, paying attention to details, and meeting tight deadlines

Problem-solving Skills

  • Anticipating potential issues and preparing creative solutions that satisfy clients

Postsecondary

Meeting, convention, and event planners typically need a bachelor’s degree. Although some colleges offer degree programs in meeting and event management, other common fields of study include communications, business management, marketing, and business administration.

Planners who have studied meeting and event management or hospitality management may start out with greater responsibilities than do those from other academic disciplines. Some colleges offer continuing education courses in meeting and event planning.

Related College Majors

  • Business Administration

  • Communications

  • Hospitality

  • Marketing

  • Public Relations

Adult Job Seekers

Adults with a background in marketing, sales, or hospitality stand a strong chance of successfully transiting into meeting, convention, and event planning. They may also have contacts from their previous work experience that will allow them to smoothly transition into their new career.

Professional Certification and Licensure

A number of voluntary certifications are available for meeting and convention planners. Although not required, these certifications demonstrate specific knowledge or professional expertise.

The Events Industry Council offers the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) credential, which is widely recognized in the industry and may help in career advancement. To qualify for the CMP, candidates’ applications must include proof of experience and education. Those who qualify must then pass an exam that covers topics such as strategic planning, financial and risk management, facility operations and services, and logistics.

The Society of Government Meeting Professionals (SGMP) offers the Certified Government Meeting Professional (CGMP) designation for meeting planners who work for, or contract with, federal, state, or local government. This certification is helpful for candidates who want to show that they know government purchasing policies and travel regulations. To qualify, candidates must have worked as a meeting planner for at least 1 year and have been a member of SGMP for 6 months. To become a certified planner, members must take a 3-day course and pass an exam.

The International Association of Exhibitions and Events offers the Certified in Exhibition Management (CEM) designation, which demonstrates meeting professional standards for exhibitions and events management. Candidates obtain this credential by completing nine courses.

Some organizations, including the American Association of Certified Wedding Planners and the Association of Certified Professional Wedding Consultants, offer certifications in wedding planning that may be helpful for attracting clients.

Additional Requirements

Meeting, convention, and event planners may benefit from having some experience in meeting and event planning. Working in a variety of positions at hotels, convention centers, and convention bureaus provides knowledge of how the hospitality industry operates. Other beneficial work experiences include coordinating university or volunteer events and shadowing professionals.

Earnings and Advancement

Earnings of meeting, convention, and event planners depend on the scale and scope of the events planned, and the experience of the planner. Median annual earnings of meeting, convention, and event planners were $51,560 in 2020. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $29,240, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $88,360.

Meeting, convention, and event planners may receive paid vacations, holidays, and sick days; life and health insurance; and retirement benefits. These are usually paid by an employer, if not self-employed. An employer may also cover travel expenses.

Employment and Outlook

Meeting, convention, and event planners held 138,600 jobs in 2019. Five percent were self-employed. Employment is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2029, at a rate of 8 percent, varying by occupation.

Demand for professionally planned meetings and events is expected to remain steady as businesses and organizations continue to host events regularly.

Fast Fact

Event technology, especially on-site technology and mobile apps, are increasingly becoming essential to the success of all types of events. Source: jamieturner.live

CIMusic_p0226_1.jpg

Photo courtesy of ChiccoDodiFC, via iStock.com. [Used under license.]

About 15,200 openings for meeting, convention, and event planners are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Candidates with a bachelor’s degree in meeting and event management, hospitality, or tourism management should have the best job opportunities. Those who have experience in the hospitality industry or with virtual meeting software and social media outlets should also have an advantage.

Related Occupations

  • Administrative Services/Facilities Manager

  • Floral Designer

  • Food Service Manager

  • Fundraiser

  • Lodging Manager

  • Travel Agent

More Information

American Association of Certified Wedding Planners (AACEP)

2150 W Northwest Highway, Suite 114-1039

Grapevine, TX 76051

844.202.2297

executivedirector@aacwp.org

www.aacwp.org

American Planning Association (APA)

205 N Michigan Avenue, Suite 1200

Chicago, IL 60601-5927

312.431.9100

www.planning.org

Association of Bridal Consultants (ABC)

632 Federal Road, Suite 2

Brookfield, CT 06804

203.775.0009

info@bridalassn.com

www.abcweddingplanners.com

Association of Certified Professional Wedding Consultants (ACPWC)

408.227.2792

dmoody@acpwc.com

www.ACPWC.com

Event Planners Association (EPA)

4390 Piedmont Avenue

Oakland CA 946111

admin@eventplannersassociation.com

www.eventplannersassociation.com

Events Industry Council (EIC)

1120 20th Street NW, Suite 750

Washington, DC 20036

202.712.9059

info@eventscouncil.org

www.eventscouncil.org

International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE)

12700 Park Central Drive, Suite 308

Dallas, TX 75251

972.458.8002

info@iaee.com

www.iaee.com

International Live Events Association (ILEA)

7918 Jones Brach Drive, Suite 300

McLean, VA 22102

800.688.4737

www.ileahub.com

Meeting Professionals International (MPI)

2711 Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway, Suite 600

Dallas, TX 75234-7349

866.318.2743

feedback@mpi.org

www.mpi.org

Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA)

35 E Wacker Drive, Suite 500

Chicago, IL 60601

877.827.7262

www.pcma.org

Society of Government Meeting Professionals (SGMP)

3337 Duke Street

Alexandria, VA 22314

703.549.0892

membership@sgmp.org

www.sgmp.org

Citation Types

Type
Format
MLA 9th
Paterson, Stuart. "Meeting/Convention/Event Planner." Careers in the Music Industry,Salem Press, 2021. Salem Online, online.salempress.com/articleDetails.do?articleName=CIMusic_0023.
APA 7th
Paterson, S. (2021). Meeting/Convention/Event Planner. Careers in the Music Industry. Salem Press. online.salempress.com.
CMOS 17th
Paterson, Stuart. "Meeting/Convention/Event Planner." Careers in the Music Industry. Hackensack: Salem Press, 2021. Accessed May 09, 2025. online.salempress.com.