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The differences between meetings & events managers 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 meetings & events manager and an event planner. Additionally, an event planner has an average salary of $51,542, which is higher than the $46,029 average annual salary of a meetings & events manager.
The top three skills for a meetings & events manager include event management, event planning and site inspections. The most important skills for an event planner are customer service, vendor contracts, and plan events.
| Meetings & Events Manager | Event Planner | |
| Yearly salary | $46,029 | $51,542 |
| Hourly rate | $22.13 | $24.78 |
| Growth rate | 18% | 18% |
| Number of jobs | 4,660 | 19,793 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 82% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
Meeting and Events Managers are responsible for overseeing virtual or live events and meetings for a company or private individuals. Their duties include implementing event strategies, assist in event venue research, create vendor networks, and conduct contract negotiations for event support services. They are also involved in handling pre-event activities, facilitating post-event reviews, monitoring event budgets, preparing management reports, setting project milestones, and tracking event team performance. Meetings and events managers also work closely with clients to identify individual needs and assist in staff development programs.
An event planner is responsible for organizing events, following the clients' needs, instructions, and budget goals. Event planners must be highly communicative to coordinate and negotiate contracts with suppliers, third-party vendors, and venue rentals. They finalize the guest list, catering services, and assist with marketing materials to promote the event. An event planner should also have a broad knowledge of the current market industry trends, which plays a vital role in planning and organizing future event opportunities.
Meetings & events managers and event planners have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Meetings & Events Manager | Event Planner | |
| Average salary | $46,029 | $51,542 |
| Salary range | Between $34,000 And $62,000 | Between $35,000 And $74,000 |
| Highest paying City | Half Moon Bay, CA | Stamford, CT |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | AstraZeneca | Intelliswift |
| Best paying industry | Hospitality | Technology |
There are a few differences between a meetings & events manager and an event planner in terms of educational background:
| Meetings & Events Manager | Event Planner | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 82% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | San Diego State University | San Diego State University |
Here are the differences between meetings & events managers' and event planners' demographics:
| Meetings & Events Manager | Event Planner | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 14.6% Female, 85.4% | Male, 22.4% Female, 77.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 12.1% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 15.2% Asian, 6.1% White, 61.5% 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 Percentage | 16% | 16% |