Job Duties and Responsibilities
Meeting And Convention Planners are in charge for arranging almost every detail
that is behind a meeting or convention. That includes transportation, accommodations
for both guests and the meeting or convention. They take proposals from prospective
convention or meeting sites such as hotels or convention centers or other public
facilities and then choose a facility which best fits the budget and meet the need
of the meeting or convention.
They may also plan activities or advance in order to further the goals of the meeting
or convention. They usually arrange any communications services needed for the meeting
including online communications or videoconferencing.
The meeting and convention planner requires an eye for detail as any successful
meeting or convention hinges upon their decisions.
Work Environment
Meeting and Convention planning can be hectic because with so many details and potential
last-minute changes to keep track of something is bound to go haywire. The meeting
and convention planner must be able to think on their feet as well as deal with
changes in plan and itineraries. Meeting and convention planners often work long
and irregular hours as they will often be not only preparing for the meeting or
convention, but present during it.
The travel required for a meeting and convention planner is variable depending upon
the employee organization. However many meeting and convention planners travel extensively
in the course of their duties attending meetings or consulting with organizations
or planned meetings or conventions.
Employment Outlook and Opportunities
Meeting and convention planners have a variety of employment settings though many
are employed by civic organizations, grant making organizations, or other professional
organizations. Some are employee in accommodation settings such as hotels or motels
to promote their convention facilities. The smallest percentage worked for government
organizations such city or state.
Job growth for the meeting and convention planner is predicted to be faster than
average according to an employment outlook report published in 2006 by the US Department
of Labor. Factors influencing the job growth for meeting and convention planners
is due in part to the increasing globalization of businesses and industries and
more international meetings are being held for various organizations. High-growth
industries naturally will have more conventions in order to keep their management
up with current procedures and market strategies.
How much does a Meeting and Convention Planner make - Meeting and Convention Planner
Salaries and Wages
Earnings for Meeting and Convention Planners with 1 to 4 years experience
are reported to be within the $34,923-$47,764 a year range.
Earnings for Meeting and Convention Planners with 5 to 9 years experience
are reported to be within the $42,893-$57,782 per year range.
Earnings for Meeting and Convention Planners with 10 to 19 years experience
are reported to be within the $45,783-$66,159 per year range.
How to Become a Meeting and Convention Planner
Education for Meeting and Convention Planners
Most employers of meeting and convention planners prefer a bachelor's degree,
more and more of the employed meeting and convention planners possess a bachelor
degree. This is because the job has become increasingly more complex over time especially
when dealing with online conferencing and electronic communication aspects and the
technical aspect of arranging a meeting or convention. As with most professions
the stronger the academic background the better the career opportunities are likely
to be.
There are continuing education courses available online and in traditional campus-based
schools for meeting and convention planner professionals.
The Convention Industry Council offers a certification program with the designation
Certified Meeting Professional (CMP). Candidates for this certification must meet
certain requirements including being able to document having planned a specific
number of successful meetings or convention as well as employment in the meeting
and convention industry for a specified period of time. Meeting those requirements
enables the meeting and convention planner to be able to take an examination covering
various topics pertaining to convention and meetings planning.
Other Qualifications
The meeting and convention planner career is generally considered a high energy
and sometimes stressful profession. The ability to encompass a large number of details
and bring off a meeting or convention in the face of obstacles and changes in itinerary
are a necessity for the successful meeting and convention planner. Good communications
skills are a must for this position.
Career Advancement
Career advancement for the meeting and convention planner involves their willingness
and ability to take on greater responsibilities and demonstrate their competency
and willingness in planning increasingly more complex conventions and meetings.
Holding the CMP designation is a plus for the meeting and convention planner aspiring
to advance their career.
A meeting and convention planner may also become an independent meeting and convention
planner after many years experience and in a great deal of competency within their
field.
Meeting and Convention Planner Resources
Meeting and Conventions Mag