Job Title: Meeting Planner
AKA: Corporate Meeting Planner, Association Meeting Planner or Event Planner
What is a meeting planner?
A meeting planner is someone who plans and coordinates meetings for large corporations or professional associations.
What does a meeting planner do?
Meeting planners plan meetings. But, not just any meetings. Meeting planners work for and with large corporations to plan meetings and events, usually large-scale events or meetings such as annual sales meetings, trade shows and conferences, and promotional events. Their clients or employers usually approach them with an idea or an objective that they want to accomplish via the meeting or event and a budget. The meeting planner then identifies the venue, caterers and other vendors needed for the event or meeting. Meeting planners ensure that attendees are aware of and registered for the conference or event. They ensure that everyone has paid and has been given the proper access badges.
Meeting planners are also responsible for working with venue and vendor staff to ensure that their products, staff and supplies are delivered to the venue, that they have access to the venue prior to the event, that their booths or advertising space has been set aside and paid for, that their staffs have access to a business center.
For those meetings where there is entertainment, meeting planner identify bands, performers or activities. They arrange for the people and gear to travel to and set up for the event.
In other words, the meeting planner is responsible for every thing that comprises the meeting or event. They either perform all of the tasks themselves, with the help of a staff, or they manage the external consultants or contractors who perform the tasks. Either way, the meeting planner is ultimately accountable for the success of the meeting or event.
For whom might a meeting planner work?
Meeting planners are employed all of the following:
- Corporations
- Meeting or event planning firms
- Associations or trade organizations
- Hotels
- Arenas
- Concert venues
- Wedding planners
- Nonprofits
- Politicians
- Night clubs
- Consulting firms
- Government tourism and convention bureaus
- Entertainment & promotions firms
Meeting Planners may also work for themselves as independent contractors who are paid to plan a single meeting or event.
How much does a meeting planner earn?
Meeting planners earn a very good living for all of their hard work. The average annual base salary for a corporate meeting planner is $71,929; the average annual base salary for an association planner is $61,561. Entry-level meeting planners earn an average of $40,000 per year. Executives in the meeting planning field earn more than $150,000 per year.
To break in, you’ll need…
Meeting planners usually get their starts as meeting coordinators or assistants to executive meeting planners. Most have college degrees and cut their teeth on doing the small tasks–booking travel, staffing registration desks and working with venue staff to set up event booths. Landing meeting coordinator or assistant jobs don’t require meeting planning experience; just work experience, organizational skills, good communication skills and the ability to multi-task.
If you’re not ready to jump into the shallow end of the Meeting Planner pool, the best place to start is with classes at community colleges or universities. Many offer inexpensive evening and weekend courses in meeting and event planning.
Who might love this career?
- Anyone who loves to see big plans come to fruition.
- Anyone who wants a creative outlet…and a big budget to make it happen.
- Anyone with great project management skills.
- Anyone who enjoys creating experiences that others will enjoy.
What about this career doesn’t suck?
A recent survey of 352 meeting planners revealed that 96% of respondents were somewhat or very satisfied with their jobs and 33% were extremely satisfied. Meeting planners also enjoy telecommuting and other flexible work arrangements, travel and a lot of discretion and variety in their jobs. Because of this, the meeting planner career scored 63% on our WorkYourWay Index.
The meeting planner career lost points due to the moderate to high stress involved in planning and executing large-scale meetings or events, to the sometimes long hours and required travel, and due to the relatively small number of meeting planner jobs available at the higher pay ranges.
To find current openings…
Check out these meeting and event planner job listings.
Want more information?
Books on careers in meeting and events planning
Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) - The meeting and convention industry’s certification, awarded by the Convention Industry Council (CIC). Read the CMP handbook and application.
Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP) - Another designation for event planners. This one awarded by the International Special Events Society (ISES).
Meeting & Event Planner Professional and Trade Associations
MeetingsNet - Online meeting and event planner resource, intelligence and tools
Meeting & Conventions Magazine - a trade magazine for meeting and event planners
Top 50 Associations (These are the most active associations. Great source of job leads.)
If you liked my post, feel free to subscribe to my rss feeds
