Occupation · SOC 13-1121
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners
Coordinate activities of staff, convention personnel, or clients to make arrangements for group meetings, events, or conventions.
Median wage
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Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
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Job Zone 4
Typical preparation
Considerable preparation
Stackable credential programs
33 mapped
Core skills
Reading ComprehensionActive ListeningSpeakingCritical ThinkingSocial PerceptivenessCoordinationService OrientationTime Management
Knowledge areas
Customer and Personal ServiceEnglish LanguageCommunications and MediaAdministrativeAdministration and Management
Technology & tools
Project management softwareGraphics or photo imaging softwareDesktop publishing softwareCustomer relationship management CRM softwareData base user interface and query software
Representative tasks
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.Conduct post-event evaluations to determine how future events could be improved.Hire, train, and supervise volunteers and support staff required for events.Direct administrative details, such as financial operations, dissemination of promotional materials, and responses to inquiries.Meet with sponsors and organizing committees to plan scope and format of events, to establish and monitor budgets, or to review administrative procedures and event progress.Read trade publications, attend seminars, and consult with other meeting professionals to keep abreast of meeting management standards and trends.Organize registration of event participants.Develop event topics and choose featured speakers.Promote conference, convention and trades show services by performing tasks such as meeting with professional and trade associations, and producing brochures and other publications.Design and implement efforts to publicize events and promote sponsorships.Obtain permits from fire and health departments to erect displays and exhibits and serve food at events.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Client objectives and event requirements — gather and document through structured intake consultations under supervisor guidance at a professional event planning firm.Event facility checklists — apply to inspect venues and confirm basic compliance with customer specifications under direct oversight.Audio-visual equipment and transportation needs — identify and coordinate availability using standardized request forms for small-scale meetings.Vendor and site staff communications — support and relay coordination details under the direction of a senior planner for assigned events.Event financial records — maintain and organize invoices, receipts, and budget tracking spreadsheets using provided templates.Event bills and payment documentation — review line items for basic accuracy and flag discrepancies to a supervising planner for approval.Catering, signage, and accommodation logistics — assist in arranging standard services by following established planning protocols.Project management software and CRM platforms — enter and update event data under supervision to support team-wide coordination workflows.On-site event activities — monitor attendee flow and escalate compliance concerns or participant issues to the lead planner promptly.Word processing and desktop publishing tools — draft event programs, signage copy, and participant communications from approved templates.
developing
Client consultation meetings — conduct independently to determine event objectives, scope, and technical requirements for mid-size conferences and conventions.Event site inspections — perform and evaluate against detailed customer requirement checklists, documenting findings and recommending corrective actions.Vendor contracts for catering, transportation, and accommodation — negotiate standard terms and coordinate service delivery across multiple suppliers for routine events.Audio-visual, display, and special needs requirements — arrange and confirm availability by coordinating directly with suppliers and site technical staff.Event billing packages — review for accuracy, reconcile against contracted services, and approve routine payments within delegated authority.Financial records for event aspects — maintain comprehensively using financial analysis software, producing post-event cost summaries for client review.Event activity compliance — monitor against applicable health, safety, and licensing regulations throughout event execution, resolving common problems as they arise.CRM and database systems — use to manage client histories, vendor contacts, and event specifications across a recurring portfolio of accounts.On-site staff and service providers — confer with and direct in real time to ensure all logistical details align with the approved event plan.Event communications materials — write and produce using desktop publishing software, adapting tone and format to diverse professional audiences.
proficient
Complex multi-day conventions and large-scale corporate events — plan and execute autonomously from initial client consultation through post-event financial reconciliation.Non-routine participant needs, last-minute vendor failures, and regulatory conflicts — diagnose and resolve independently using critical thinking and established industry networks.Full event service ecosystems — coordinate across accommodation, catering, transportation, security, signage, and A/V simultaneously to deliver seamless attendee experiences.Event facility suitability — assess against nuanced and evolving client requirements, negotiating facility modifications and contractual remedies where non-conformance is identified.Comprehensive event budgets — develop, manage, and reconcile using financial analysis software, ensuring accuracy across all billing cycles and delivering cost outcomes within client parameters.Regulatory, safety, and public security compliance frameworks — apply across varied event environments, proactively briefing clients and site staff on obligations and risk mitigation measures.Stakeholder persuasion and negotiation — lead across competing vendor, client, and venue interests to secure favorable terms and creative event solutions for complex accounts.Geographic and logistical systems — analyze using GIS and project management tools to optimize multi-venue event layouts, attendee routing, and transportation plans.Event data and performance metrics — monitor and interpret in real time, making judgment-driven decisions to adjust operations and maximize participant satisfaction.Cloud-based collaboration and web platforms — leverage to coordinate geographically distributed planning teams and deliver real-time event information to clients and attendees.
advanced
Organizational event planning strategy — define and champion at the enterprise level, aligning event programs with institutional goals and long-range client relationship development.Industry-wide best practices and emerging methodologies — evaluate and integrate into firm-wide frameworks, setting standards for quality, compliance, and innovation across all event types.Junior and mid-level planners — mentor and develop through structured coaching, performance feedback, and delegated project responsibility within a professional planning organization.High-stakes client relationships and enterprise accounts — cultivate and steward by applying advanced social perceptiveness and executive-level consultative skills to anticipate evolving needs.Complex multi-stakeholder negotiations — lead at the organizational scale, securing strategic venue partnerships, preferred vendor agreements, and sponsorship arrangements that enhance competitive positioning.Event planning department operations — design and oversee, establishing workflow systems, technology infrastructure, and resource allocation models that maximize team capacity and output quality.Risk, crisis, and contingency planning frameworks — architect for large-scale public and corporate events, ensuring organizational resilience and regulatory adherence under high-pressure conditions.Cross-functional collaboration with marketing, finance, and operations leadership — direct to align event programs with brand, budget, and audience engagement objectives across the enterprise.Thought leadership and professional representation — provide by contributing to industry forums, publishing insights, and advising on policy and standards affecting the meetings and events sector.Performance measurement systems for event portfolios — build and institutionalize, using systems analysis and data-driven evaluation to drive continuous improvement across the full planning lifecycle.
Also known as
180 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Special Events CoordinatorRegional Band Craftsman, Piano (Air Force 3N171M)Regional Band Apprentice, Oboe (Air Force 3N131D)Conference ReservationistReligious Program Specialist (Navy RP)Regional Band Helper (Air Force 3N111)Public Affairs Officer (Navy 2412)Public Affairs Manager (Air Force 3N000)Aircrew Flight Equipment Helper (Air Force 1P011)Regional Band Craftsman, Oboe (Air Force 3N171D)Event PlannerConference ProducerPublic Affairs Apprentice (Air Force 3N036)Regional Band Craftsman, Trombone (Air Force 3N171J)Regional Band Helper, Euphonium (Air Force 3N111H)Aircrew Flight Equipment Journeyman (Air Force 1P051)Special Events DirectorCorporate Meeting PlannerEvent ManagerRegional Band Helper, Vocalist (Air Force 3N111R)Regional Band Helper, Audio Engineer (Air Force 3N111V)Regional Band Craftsman, Saxophone (Air Force 3N171B)Conference Services ManagerRegional Band (Air Force 3N1X1)Services (Air Force 3F1X1)Scheduling CoordinatorRegional Band Craftsman, Vocalist (Air Force 3N171R)Regional Band Apprentice, Trombone (Air Force 3N131J)Meeting PlannerRegional Band Apprentice, Percussion (Air Force 3N131L)Conference ManagerPublic Quarters Enlisted Aide Specialist (Navy S15A)Regional Band Journeyman, Bassoon (Air Force 3N151C)Public Affairs (Air Force 3N0X6)Regional Band Craftsman, Arranger (Air Force 3N171P)Public Affairs Journeyman (Air Force 3N056)Convention WorkerTrade Show CoordinatorServices Craftsman (Air Force 3F171)Public Affairs Supervisor (Navy A12A)