How To Become A Conference Coordinator: What It Is and Career Path

What is a conference coordinator and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted experts

Joel Reece Ph.D.,

Mark Zanter

The conference coordinator works with the group leaders to come up with a theme for the event and plan activities. This is followed by securing the participation of experts who will speak or lead the event. He/She uses the available data of participants to secure a suitable venue. He/She oversees organizing shuttle service to and from the airport for guests and transporting people to the conference. Also, he/she is in charge of publicizing the conference and organizing activities. In the end, he/she may seek feedback from participants to aid in planning future gatherings.

Most conference coordinators hold a bachelor's degree in the area of specialty. Candidates may hold a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) credential to increase job prospects. You must also have at least two years of related experience. Multitasking, interpersonal, collaboration, organization, and negotiation skills are some of the most vital skills required for this position. These experts earn an average income of $45,677 yearly. It varies from $28,000 to $75,000.

What general advice would you give to a conference coordinator?

Joel Reece Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Brigham Young University–Hawaii

Review job postings of career jobs you want to see what types of skills and experience they are looking for in applicants, then go find opportunities to gain those skills and experience.

Look for opportunities to get involved. It is ok to be a volunteer or have an entry level job.
Think of your job as a place you can get paid to learn. Work with the attitude to add value to the company.

ScoreConference CoordinatorUS Average

Salary

3.3

Avg. Salary $41,978

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

7.6

Growth rate 18%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

4.2

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.24%

Asian 5.87%

Black or African American 11.25%

Hispanic or Latino 16.23%

Unknown 4.70%

White 61.71%

Gender

female 73.54%

male 26.46%

Age - 36

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 36

Stress level

7.6

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

7.3

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

4.0

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a conference coordinator

Explore conference coordinator education requirements

Most common conference coordinator degrees

Bachelor's

71.9 %

Master's

10.0 %

Associate

9.9 %

Start to develop specific conference coordinator skills

Skills	Percentages
Conference Calls	14.77%
Reservations	13.09%
Event Planning	6.41%
Audio Visual Equipment	4.73%
Conference Planning	4.39%

Complete relevant conference coordinator training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-2 years on post-employment, on-the-job training. New conference coordinators learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a conference coordinator based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real conference coordinator resumes.

Research conference coordinator duties and responsibilities

Manage internal & external reservations for audio and videoconferencing requirements over telephone and via e-mail.
Attend daily and weekly BEO meetings.
Process documentation of hotel BEO s and final invoices while disputing where necessary.
Help Medicaid eligible members to secure both physical and behavioral services in the community by reviewing and preparing prior authorization requests.

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