Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners

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This occupation is part of the Business and Financial Operations cluster

About the Job

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

It is also Called

  • Catering and Convention Services Coordinator
  • Catering and Convention Services Manager
  • Catering and Convention Services Sales Manager
  • Catering Manager
  • Certified Meeting Professional
  • Conference Director
  • Conference Manager
  • Conference Organizer
  • Conference Planner
  • Conference Planning Manager

What They Do

  • Monitor event activities to ensure compliance with applicable regulations and laws, satisfaction of participants, and resolution of any problems that arise.
  • Confer with staff at a chosen event site to coordinate details.
  • Inspect event facilities to ensure that they conform to customer requirements.
  • Coordinate services for events, such as accommodation and transportation for participants, facilities, catering, signage, displays, special needs requirements, printing and event security.
  • Consult with customers to determine objectives and requirements for events such as meetings, conferences, and conventions.
  • 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.
  • Review event bills for accuracy, and approve payment.
  • Evaluate and select providers of services according to customer requirements.
  • Arrange the availability of audio-visual equipment, transportation, displays, and other event needs.
  • Plan and develop programs, agendas, budgets, and services according to customer requirements.

Interests

People who work in this occupation generally have the interest code: ECS.

This means people who work in this occupation generally have Enterprising interests, but also prefer Conventional and Social environments.

Work Values

People who work in this occupation generally prize Relationships, but also value Independence and Achievement in their jobs.

Things They Need to Know

  • Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
  • English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • Clerical - Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
  • Sales and Marketing - Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
  • Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Things They Need to Be Able to Do

  • Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
  • Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
  • Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.
  • Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Education Required

Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Wages

In 2012, the average annual wage in California was $53,870.00 with most people making between $29,500.00 and $85,600.00

Outlook

2.59%
avg. annual growth

During 2010, this occupation employed approximately 8,100 people in California. It is projected that there will be 10,200 employed in 2020.

This occupation will have about 210 openings due to growth and about 160 replacement openings for approximately 370 total annual openings.

Common College Majors

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