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The differences between event planning managers and conference coordinators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both an event planning manager and a conference coordinator. Additionally, an event planning manager has an average salary of $52,565, which is higher than the $41,978 average annual salary of a conference coordinator.
The top three skills for an event planning manager include event management, smooth execution and event sales. The most important skills for a conference coordinator are conference calls, reservations, and event planning.
| Event Planning Manager | Conference Coordinator | |
| Yearly salary | $52,565 | $41,978 |
| Hourly rate | $25.27 | $20.18 |
| Growth rate | 18% | 18% |
| Number of jobs | 21,149 | 19,660 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 78% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
Event planning managers have responsibilities such as planning, organizing, promoting, and social events. They also perform tasks like booking venues, coordinating with clients and suppliers, managing invoices and budgets, and handling logistics. Managers negotiate sales agreements for room rentals, function space, food and beverage services, and coordinate room reservations and amenities. They also handle billing and accounting and present post-event reports. Planners must maintain contracts, permits, event management plans, and databases and spreadsheets with timelines and action plans.
A conference coordinator organizes professional gatherings and meetings according to a client's needs and preferences. There are also instances where they may plan reunions, parties, and other events. Their responsibilities begin at meeting the clients to identify their needs and preferences, including the event's purpose or themes. From there, a conference coordinator develops plans, secures venues and speakers, books caterers and other equipment, prepares and processes requests, and maintains records of all transactions, presenting invoices to the clients. Moreover, a conference coordinator must be proactive and resolve any conflicts or issues should any arise.
Event planning managers and conference coordinators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Event Planning Manager | Conference Coordinator | |
| Average salary | $52,565 | $41,978 |
| Salary range | Between $36,000 And $74,000 | Between $32,000 And $54,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | New York |
| Best paying company | McKinsey & Company Inc | Battelle |
| Best paying industry | Hospitality | Telecommunication |
There are a few differences between an event planning manager and a conference coordinator in terms of educational background:
| Event Planning Manager | Conference Coordinator | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 78% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | San Diego State University | San Diego State University |
Here are the differences between event planning managers' and conference coordinators' demographics:
| Event Planning Manager | Conference Coordinator | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 22.5% Female, 77.5% | Male, 26.5% Female, 73.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.1% Asian, 5.8% White, 61.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.2% Asian, 5.9% White, 61.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 16% | 16% |