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What is a meeting/event planner and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted Experts
Joel Reece Ph.D.,
Mark Zanter

If you have a knack for organization and can manage events of all types and their various aspects, then you should look into becoming a meeting/event planner. As a meeting/event planner, your purpose will be to structure and coordinate various meetings and events and ensure that every attendee is satisfied and their needs are catered to.

Some of the duties and responsibilities that you will be performing in this capacity include meeting with event hosts to understand their purpose and goals, scouting venues, negotiating contracts with vendors, managing the budget of the meeting or event, arranging transportation and lodging if required, and ensuring all parties are satisfied, be it, attendees or vendors. Essential skills required to successfully complete these tasks are communication, organizational, customer service, rapport building, negotiation, attention to detail, and creativity.

To qualify for the position, a high school diploma or a GED may suffice, although that may limit your chances for career growth. A bachelor's degree in hospitality management or similar would be beneficial. Voluntary certifications such as Certified Meeting Professional would greatly increase your chances for work. The average hourly pay for this position is $23.09, which amounts to over $48,000 annually. The career is expected to grow in the near future and create new opportunities across the United States.

What general advice would you give to a Meeting/Event Planner?

Joel Reece Ph.D.Joel Reece Ph.D. LinkedIn Profile

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.
ScoreMeeting/Event PlannerUS Average
Salary
4.0

Avg. Salary $51,141

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 5.88%

Black or African American 11.29%

Hispanic or Latino 16.29%

Unknown 4.70%

White 61.60%

Gender

female 85.62%

male 14.38%

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

Meeting/Event Planner career paths

Key steps to become a meeting/event planner

  1. Explore meeting/event planner education requirements

    Most common meeting/event planner degrees

    Bachelor's

    73.3 %

    Associate

    16.7 %

    Master's

    5.6 %
  2. Start to develop specific meeting/event planner skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Event Planning16.40%
    PowerPoint10.35%
    Event Management7.70%
    Beverage Selection5.30%
    Cost Savings3.90%
  3. Complete relevant meeting/event planner training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 1-2 years on post-employment, on-the-job training. New meeting/event planners 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 meeting/event planner based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real meeting/event planner resumes.
  4. Gain additional meeting/event planner certifications

    Meeting/event planner certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific meeting/event planner certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for meeting/event planners include Certification in Meetings Management (CMM) and Accreditation in Public Relations (PR).

    More About Certifications
  5. Research meeting/event planner duties and responsibilities

    • Lead tour groups through onsite NIH research technology labs.
    • Plan, manage, and implement a portfolio of meetings and events for healthcare professionals.
    • Manage arrangements for ABA leadership, including the president, officers, board and executive vice presidents.
    • Achieve quarterly financial goal by upselling products and services and by identifying additional opportunities base on the event profile.
  6. Prepare your meeting/event planner resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your meeting/event planner resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a meeting/event planner resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose From 10+ Customizable Meeting/Event Planner Resume templates

    Build a professional Meeting/Event Planner resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Meeting/Event Planner resume.
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  7. Apply for meeting/event planner jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a meeting/event planner job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Meeting/Event Planner Job

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Average meeting/event planner salary

The average Meeting/Event Planner salary in the United States is $51,141 per year or $25 per hour. Meeting/event planner salaries range between $34,000 and $76,000 per year.

Average Meeting/Event Planner Salary
$51,141 Yearly
$24.59 hourly

What Am I Worth?

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How do meeting/event planners rate their job?

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Meeting/Event Planner reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on May 2021
Pros

I was a theater major who received my CMP and realized I could put on a production in the corporate world. Event Planning allows me to utilize my skillset in a way I didn't know was possible. I also have the opportunity to travel and most venues treat you well when you're the planner (if you're the one in charge of the event).

Cons

There is nothing more stressful then this job. As you get closer to an event, the days get longer and the job can become 24/7, especially while the event is happening. If you're looking for a job you clock out from at 5pm, this is not the job for you. You're also in charge of budgets, F&B, Centerpieces, Entertainment, Speakers, Content, App Development, Registration, the list is endless. If you aren't good under pressure, this is not the job for you.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2019
Cons

There are times when no matter what you do - a difficult and unhappy customer who has a bad attitude with everything, will not be happy. No matter what you do.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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