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Career Exploration

Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners

Also called: Conference Planning Manager, Conference Services Manager, Convention Services Manager (CSM), Events Manager

What they do:

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

On the job, you would:
  • 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.
On the job, you'll need:

Business

  • customer service
  • administrative services

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

Communications

  • multimedia

Engineering and Technology

  • computers and electronics

Basic Skills

  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
  • reading work related information

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Social

  • changing what is done based on other people's actions
  • looking for ways to help people

Verbal

  • communicate by speaking
  • communicate by writing

Ideas and Logic

  • notice when problems happen
  • use rules to solve problems

Attention

  • pay attention to something without being distracted
  • do two or more things at the same time

Enterprising

People interested in this work like activities that include leading, making decisions, and business.

  • Attention to Detail
  • Dependability
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Adaptability/Flexibility
  • Cooperation
  • Self Control

Project management software

  • Microsoft Project
  • Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio Management

Word processing software

  • Google Docs
  • Microsoft Word

Data base user interface and query software

  • FileMaker Pro
  • Microsoft Access

Video courtesy of CareerOneStop.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for this position is Bright.

New job opportunities are very likely in the future. This career will grow rapidly in the next few years.

Median Annual Salary: $52,560

Education

Bachelor's degree or some college is usually needed.