How to become a Meeting, Convention, and Event Planner
Official title: Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners
Also called: Catering Director, Conference Planner, Conference Planning Manager, Conference Services Director, Conference Services Manager, Convention Services Director, Convention Services Manager (CSM), Event Coordinator, Events Manager, Special Events Coordinator
Coordinate activities of staff, convention personnel, or clients to make arrangements for group meetings, events, or conventions.
Main tasks
- 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.
How to become one
Meeting, convention, and event planners typically need a bachelor's degree. Some experience related to event planning may be helpful.
Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree
Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Ways in
- College: Business & Commerce degrees, Offered by 35 universities in the US
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Median pay: $61,160 a year The middle half earn $46,970 to $78,790.
- About 172,100 people work in this job now, and about 182,100 are projected by 2035. (+5.8%)
- People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.
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Questions people ask
How do I become a Meeting, Convention, and Event Planner?
Meeting, convention, and event planners typically need a bachelor's degree. Some experience related to event planning may be helpful.
How much does a Meeting, Convention, and Event Planner earn in the US?
Median full-time pay is $61,160 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $46,970 to $78,790.
Is a Meeting, Convention, and Event Planner a growing career in the US?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 6% by 2035, from about 172,100 to about 182,100 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Do you need a degree to become a Meeting, Convention, and Event Planner?
Usually. 67% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Will AI change the work of a Meeting, Convention, and Event Planner?
People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.
Sources
- Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.