Job Description of a Corporate Event Planner

Corporate Event Planner Coordinating an Event

Corporate event planners manage all arrangements for various types of corporate events such as grand openings, recognition ceremonies, new product launch events, anniversary celebrations, annual conferences, quarterly board meetings, customer appreciation days or shareholders meetings. If you are comfortable in fast-paced environments and have the tendency to get bored in a regular "9 to 5" job, a career path as a corporate event planner might be a great fit for you.

Typical Duties

Corporate event planners are typically accountable for the entire event life cycle from start to finish which includes the concept, invitations, marketing, promotions, accommodations and menu. They also have to make quick decisions that involve the desirability and viability of event locations. Depending on how elaborate the theme is, the planning may also include hiring vendors and entertainers such as bands, magicians or comedians. Events can be small, intimate groups or they can be huge productions that include thousands of people. The corporate event planner may also be responsible for coordinating the event activities, selling sponsorships or program advertising and securing prizes for giveaways.

Necessary Skills

A successful corporate event planner must be able to multi-task effortlessly under tight deadlines and be flexible with her schedule as the work involves frequent travel, heavy weekend work and long hours. Project management skills are frequently sought after and include budgeting, contract negotiations, vendor selection and staff supervision.

Employment Outlook

Corporate event planners are categorized under "Meeting and Convention Planners" in the Occupational Outlook Handbook and expect a growth rate of 16 percent over the 2008 to 2018 decade, which is faster than the average for all occupations.

Salary Expectations

According to Salary.com, the national average base salary for an event planner is $54,800 (as of June 2010). Since many event planners are self-employed or consultants and not in corporate positions, it's hard to get an accurate salary expectation on the Internet. However, a quick search on the Meeting Professionals International website revealed, "Corporate planners with three to five years of experience reported an average base salary of $42,373, while those with 10 years of experience reported an average base salary of $50,714 equating to an annual salary increase of 3 percent based on experience."

Education and Certifications

A certificate of completion in events planning is available through many community colleges, however most jobs require a bachelor's degree. Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) or Certification in Meeting Management (CMM) credentials are preferred but not required. The Convention Industry Council offers the CMP certification and Meeting Professionals International offers the CMM designation. A marketing, publicity or communications background is also helpful.

References

• Occupational Outlook Handbook: Meeting and Convention Planners
• The Meeting Professional (Sept. 2005): Money Matters
• The Convention Industry Council (CIC) Homepage
• Meeting Professionals International Homepage