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The differences between meetings & events 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 meetings & events manager and an event specialist. Additionally, a meetings & events manager has an average salary of $46,029, which is higher than the $41,294 average annual salary of an event specialist.
The top three skills for a meetings & events manager include event management, event planning and site inspections. The most important skills for an event specialist are brand awareness, product preparation, and product demonstrations.
| Meetings & Events Manager | Event Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $46,029 | $41,294 |
| Hourly rate | $22.13 | $19.85 |
| Growth rate | 18% | 18% |
| Number of jobs | 4,660 | 12,130 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 82% | Bachelor's Degree, 45% |
| 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.
Events specialists, also known as events producers or event planners, have many roles and responsibilities. They establish event concepts, select venues, secure sponsorships, and handle logistics for events. Also, they plan and manage event timelines, coordinate technical aspects, and manage risks. Event specialists are also responsible for communicating with vendors, organizing marketing materials, and liaising with event speakers. To become an event specialist, one should need to meet several qualifications that include having a degree in marketing, hospitality, or public relations. Organization skills and experience in project management are also important.
Meetings & events managers and event specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Meetings & Events Manager | Event Specialist | |
| Average salary | $46,029 | $41,294 |
| Salary range | Between $34,000 And $62,000 | Between $26,000 And $63,000 |
| Highest paying City | Half Moon Bay, CA | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | New York |
| Best paying company | AstraZeneca | Shearman & Sterling |
| Best paying industry | Hospitality | Technology |
There are a few differences between a meetings & events manager and an event specialist in terms of educational background:
| Meetings & Events Manager | Event Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 82% | Bachelor's Degree, 45% |
| 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 specialists' demographics:
| Meetings & Events Manager | Event Specialist | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 14.6% Female, 85.4% | Male, 30.9% Female, 69.1% |
| 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, 61.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 16% | 16% |