Post job

Conference planning manager vs event specialist

The differences between conference planning managers and event specialists 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 planning manager and an event specialist. Additionally, a conference planning manager has an average salary of $52,391, which is higher than the $41,294 average annual salary of an event specialist.

The top three skills for a conference planning manager include BEO, conference planning and banquet event orders. The most important skills for an event specialist are brand awareness, product preparation, and product demonstrations.

Conference planning manager vs event specialist overview

Conference Planning ManagerEvent Specialist
Yearly salary$52,391$41,294
Hourly rate$25.19$19.85
Growth rate18%18%
Number of jobs15,67212,130
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 78%Bachelor's Degree, 45%
Average age3838
Years of experience22

Conference planning manager vs event specialist salary

Conference planning managers and event specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Conference Planning ManagerEvent Specialist
Average salary$52,391$41,294
Salary rangeBetween $32,000 And $83,000Between $26,000 And $63,000
Highest paying City-New York, NY
Highest paying state-New York
Best paying company-Shearman & Sterling
Best paying industry-Technology

Differences between conference planning manager and event specialist education

There are a few differences between a conference planning manager and an event specialist in terms of educational background:

Conference Planning ManagerEvent Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 78%Bachelor's Degree, 45%
Most common majorHospitality ManagementBusiness
Most common collegeSan Diego State UniversitySan Diego State University

Conference planning manager vs event specialist demographics

Here are the differences between conference planning managers' and event specialists' demographics:

Conference Planning ManagerEvent Specialist
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 9.2% Female, 90.8%Male, 30.9% Female, 69.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 15.9% Asian, 5.9% White, 61.9% 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, 61.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage16%16%

Differences between conference planning manager and event specialist duties and responsibilities

Conference planning manager example responsibilities.

  • Organize and manage all audio visual and food & beverage technical updates in Delphi database.
  • Arrange catering, audiovisual, rooming lists, VIP amenities, transportation and other services.
  • Facilitate the weekly BEO review meeting to ensure correct interpretation of the customer's itinerary and anticipate any possible challenges.
  • Develop innovative PowerPoint presentation used to target new prospective donors.

Event specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage three key concierge brands with a high level of guest service and VIP attention.
  • Manage RSVP lists, checked-in attendees at events, and insure guest satisfaction at all times.
  • Build client pipeline by using SEO, Linkedin, Mattermarks, Angel.CO.
  • Establish streamline budget management process, enabling overall department to effectively tracking spending trend and ROI.
  • Post to Facebook and other media regarding up-coming event and/or event outcome.
  • Promote upcoming events and shows through marketing materials, emails and twitter.
  • Show more

Conference planning manager vs event specialist skills

Common conference planning manager skills
  • BEO, 15%
  • Conference Planning, 14%
  • Banquet Event Orders, 13%
  • Event Planning, 10%
  • Meeting Rooms, 10%
  • Guest Satisfaction, 5%
Common event specialist skills
  • Brand Awareness, 51%
  • Product Preparation, 14%
  • Product Demonstrations, 5%
  • Food Preparation, 4%
  • Food Safety, 4%
  • Product Knowledge, 3%

Browse business and financial jobs