Job Description of a Conference Planner and Developer
A conference planner coordinates every detail of conferences. Conference planners organize events for organizations and make sure that these events meet goals and run smoothly. According to the Occupational Information Network, conference planner and developers are also known as meeting and convention planners.
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Roles
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According to CollegeBoard.com, a meeting and convention planner has major responsibilities and works under pressure. A planner may travel to new locations on a regular basis. He may work independently or may be in charge of a team. He may coordinate the activities of people and businesses, from key speakers to catering services. He arranges for essential items, such as food, Internet access and audiovisual equipment. He makes budgets and gets them approved by the client or company. It is his responsibility to stick to the budget. He negotiates contracts from vendors or service providers. He meets strict deadlines. After the conference is completed, he surveys the attendees to measure the success of an event.
Salary
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According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics Survey Program from May 2008, the national average rate of a meeting and convention planner was $22.84 and the national average salary was $47,500. The median salary ranged from less than $27,450 to more than $74,610.
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Employment
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According to the BLS May 2008 OES data, the traveler accommodation industry employed the most meeting and convention planners offering an average salary of $43,510. Other industries that employed high numbers of meeting and convention planners included business, professional, labor, political and similar organizations; support services that included business and financial operations occupations; colleges, universities and professional schools; and management, scientific and technical services. Software publishers offered the highest pay to meeting and convention planners with an average salary of $66,740.
Environment and Hours
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A conference planner and developer works in a fast-paced and demanding field, according to the BLS. She may spend the majority of her time within an office. During meetings, she can be found on-site at a hotel, convention center or other location. She may travel on a regular basis to attend meetings and visit potential meeting sites. How far she travels depends on the type of organization she works for. Work hours are known to be long and irregular. Planners work more than 40 hours per week. Some are required to work weekends. During conferences, employees may start work as early as 5 a.m. and work until midnight.
Education & Training
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Education and training requirements depend largely on the employer. Necessary skills are learned through experience. For example, administrative assistants begin planning small meetings and may be promoted into a position as a conference planner and developer. Many employers prefer a bachelor's degree; however, this is not always a requirement. CollegeBoard.com recommends a degree in hospitality administration and management.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit day planner image by kenny123 from Fotolia.com
