Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners

Also called: Catering and Convention Services Manager, Catering Coordinator, Catering Director, Certified Meeting Professional, Conference Manager

Varies

estimated salary

Meeting, convention, and event planners coordinate activities of staff, convention personnel, or clients to make arrangements for group meetings, events, or conventions.

  • 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.
  • Hire, train, and supervise volunteers and support staff required for events.
  • Conduct post-event evaluations to determine how future events could be improved.
  • 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.
Work Context
  • Telephone — 94% responded "Every day".
  • Face-to-Face Discussions — 92% responded "Every day".
  • Contact With Others — 93% responded "Constant contact with others".
  • Electronic Mail — 89% responded "Every day".
  • Work With Work Group or Team — 86% responded "Extremely important".
  • Structured versus Unstructured Work — 80% responded "A lot of freedom".
  • Deal With External Customers — 86% responded "Extremely important".
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Work Activities
  • Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
  • Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
  • Performing for or Working Directly with the Public — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
  • Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
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Detailed Work Activities
  • Correspond with customers to answer questions or resolve complaints.
  • Monitor organizational compliance with regulations.
  • Confer with personnel to coordinate business operations.
  • Verify accuracy of records.
  • Authorize financial actions.
  • Develop financial or business plans.
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Knowledge

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.
Communications and Media
  • Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
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Skills

Reading Comprehension
  • Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
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.
Coordination
  • Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
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Abilities

Oral Comprehension
  • The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Written Comprehension
  • The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Oral Expression
  • The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Written Expression
  • The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
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Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Achievement/Effort
  • Persistence
  • Initiative
  • Leadership
  • Cooperation
  • Concern for Others
  • Social Orientation
  • Self Control
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Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Office suite software
  • Microsoft Office Hot Technology
  • Google Drive Hot Technology
Word processing software
  • Google Docs Hot Technology
  • Microsoft Word Hot Technology
Web platform development software
  • Hypertext markup language HTML Hot Technology
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