Business & Finance
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners
Also called: Catering Director, Conference Planner, Conference Planning Manager, Conference Services Director
US median pay
$61,160
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+5.8%
faster than average
Openings a year (US)
16,800
172,100 employed
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree
Preparation 4/5 · Considerable preparation
What this job is
Coordinate activities of staff, convention personnel, or clients to make arrangements for group meetings, events, or conventions.
What they do day to day
- 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.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Social Perceptiveness3.9/5
- Service Orientation3.9/5
- Coordination3.9/5
- Time Management3.8/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.6/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.6/5
- Persuasion3.5/5
- Negotiation3.4/5
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service4.3/5
- English Language4.2/5
- Communications and Media3.7/5
- Administrative3.5/5
- Administration and Management3.4/5
- Computers and Electronics3.3/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 4 of 5 — Considerable preparation. Usually a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience.
Typical entry education (BLS): Bachelor's degree.
Highest education of people in this job:
- Bachelor's degree41%
- Some college37%
Who this job suits
Mostly Enterprising
Leading, persuading and starting things
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Social
Helping, teaching and caring for people
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.