Convention services manager vs event manager

The differences between convention services managers and event managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a convention services manager, becoming an event manager takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a convention services manager has an average salary of $51,222, which is higher than the $51,117 average annual salary of an event manager.

The top three skills for a convention services manager include convention services, audio visual and reservations. The most important skills for an event manager are customer service, event logistics, and event planning.

Convention services manager vs event manager overview

	Convention Services Manager	Event Manager
Yearly salary	$51,222	$51,117
Hourly rate	$24.63	$24.58
Growth rate	10%	18%
Number of jobs	120,658	8,230
Job satisfaction	5	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 67%	Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Average age	39	38
Years of experience	4	2

Convention services manager vs event manager salary

Convention services managers and event managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Convention Services Manager	Event Manager
Average salary	$51,222	$51,117
Salary range	Between $40,000 And $65,000	Between $33,000 And $77,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	New York, NY
Highest paying state	California	New Jersey
Best paying company	Hyatt Hotels	VMware
Best paying industry	Hospitality	Technology

Differences between convention services manager and event manager education

There are a few differences between a convention services manager and an event manager in terms of educational background:

	Convention Services Manager	Event Manager
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 67%	Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Most common major	Hospitality Management	Business
Most common college	San Diego State University	San Diego State University

Convention services manager vs event manager demographics

Here are the differences between convention services managers' and event managers' demographics:

	Convention Services Manager	Event Manager
Average age	39	38
Gender ratio	Male, 33.7% Female, 66.3%	Male, 36.2% Female, 63.8%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 9.0% White, 55.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%	Black or African American, 10.9% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.6% Asian, 6.0% White, 61.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage	10%	16%

Differences between convention services manager and event manager duties and responsibilities

Convention services manager example responsibilities.

Lead vendor RFP's and consolidation of exhibit properties.
Create RFP's, managing the services of suppliers and vendors.
Negotiate food and beverage prices, function space, and hotel services within approve departmental booking guidelines.
Revise each BEO as required.
Create banquet/catering forecasts and booking pace reports.
Plan menus, wine lists, event calendars, rooming lists.

Event manager example responsibilities.

Manage FOH staff during the lunch rush - correctly handle any customer complaints or issues.
Manage successful closing of NYC block to control traffic flow and allow celebrity red carpet entrances.
Coordinate and manage maintenance, bartending, catering, schedules, calendars, and supervise staff.
Create BEO's and lead weekly team meetings for support team laying out the direction and objective of upcoming events.
Manage delivery schedules, outside vendor orders, and budget requirements for the sales, operations, and culinary staff.
Manage all logistics and communications from beginning to end with clients, including sending invitations, monitoring RSVP, and hosting.

Convention services manager vs event manager skills

Common convention services manager skills

Convention Services, 10%
Audio Visual, 8%
Reservations, 8%
Meeting Rooms, 6%
Banquet Event Orders, 6%
Event Planning, 6%

Common event manager skills

Customer Service, 15%
Event Logistics, 10%
Event Planning, 9%
Audio Visual, 6%
Onsite, 5%
PowerPoint, 4%

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Executive Management Industry
Convention Services Manager
Convention Services Manager vs Event Manager

Updated January 8, 2025

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