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Conference organizer vs event planner

The differences between conference organizers and event planners can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a conference organizer and an event planner. Additionally, an event planner has an average salary of $51,542, which is higher than the $47,104 average annual salary of a conference organizer.

The top three skills for a conference organizer include event logistics, event planning and symposium. The most important skills for an event planner are customer service, vendor contracts, and plan events.

Conference organizer vs event planner overview

Conference OrganizerEvent Planner
Yearly salary$47,104$51,542
Hourly rate$22.65$24.78
Growth rate18%18%
Number of jobs87319,793
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Average age3838
Years of experience22

Conference organizer vs event planner salary

Conference organizers and event planners have different pay scales, as shown below.

Conference OrganizerEvent Planner
Average salary$47,104$51,542
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $73,000Between $35,000 And $74,000
Highest paying City-Stamford, CT
Highest paying state-Connecticut
Best paying company-Intelliswift
Best paying industry-Technology

Differences between conference organizer and event planner education

There are a few differences between a conference organizer and an event planner in terms of educational background:

Conference OrganizerEvent Planner
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Most common majorEnglishBusiness
Most common collegeSan Diego State UniversitySan Diego State University

Conference organizer vs event planner demographics

Here are the differences between conference organizers' and event planners' demographics:

Conference OrganizerEvent Planner
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 37.1% Female, 62.9%Male, 22.4% Female, 77.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.5% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 15.9% Asian, 5.9% White, 61.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 5.9% White, 61.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage16%16%

Differences between conference organizer and event planner duties and responsibilities

Conference organizer example responsibilities.

  • Manage internal & external reservations for audio and videoconferencing requirements over telephone and via e-mail.
  • Design print and web marketing materials and execute promotional plans via partnerships, LinkedIn, and custom email blasts.
  • Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with other conference coordinators and team members to orchestrate flawless conference execution.
  • Participate in RFP responses and organize major work assignment

Event planner example responsibilities.

  • Manage client RFP s, develop detailed proposals & client pitches.
  • Produce, implement, and manage sales lead forms and online surveys to determine overall ROI.
  • Manage VIP & bottle service, sell tickets, hire promoters, promotional models, disc jockeys & staff for venues.
  • Manage and ship all marketing and advertising kits and giveaways for career fairs, on-campus presentations, final rounds and orientations.
  • Coordinate and host successful client seminars, creating invitations and promotional materials, booking venues, and selecting guest speakers.
  • Coordinate travel arrangements, including booking airfare, hotel and transportation.
  • Show more

Conference organizer vs event planner skills

Common conference organizer skills
  • Event Logistics, 47%
  • Event Planning, 12%
  • Symposium, 10%
  • Guest Speakers, 9%
  • Promotional Materials, 9%
  • Forum, 7%
Common event planner skills
  • Customer Service, 15%
  • Vendor Contracts, 12%
  • Plan Events, 8%
  • Event Management, 6%
  • PowerPoint, 5%
  • Event Logistics, 3%

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