Meetings & events manager vs special events coordinator

The differences between meetings & events managers and special events coordinators 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 a special events coordinator. Additionally, a meetings & events manager has an average salary of $46,029, which is higher than the $40,063 average annual salary of a special events coordinator.

The top three skills for a meetings & events manager include event management, event planning and site inspections. The most important skills for a special events coordinator are customer service, event planning, and press releases.

Meetings & events manager vs special events coordinator overview

	Meetings & Events Manager	Special Events Coordinator
Yearly salary	$46,029	$40,063
Hourly rate	$22.13	$19.26
Growth rate	18%	18%
Number of jobs	4,660	34,538
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 82%	Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Average age	38	38
Years of experience	2	2

What does a meetings & events manager do?

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.

What does a special events coordinator do?

A special events coordinator is in charge of organizing and devising plans for an event, even monitoring all progress to ensure everything is running smoothly. They are typically responsible for consulting with clients and understanding the event's purpose, offering a selection of venues and caterers, providing cost estimates, and booking various services such as speakers, equipment, location, photographers, videographers, and other essential factors. Moreover, a special events coordinator manages all processes involved in setting up and down an event, all while maintaining client satisfaction.

Meetings & events manager vs special events coordinator salary

Meetings & events managers and special events coordinators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Meetings & Events Manager	Special Events Coordinator
Average salary	$46,029	$40,063
Salary range	Between $34,000 And $62,000	Between $26,000 And $60,000
Highest paying City	Half Moon Bay, CA	New York, NY
Highest paying state	Connecticut	New Jersey
Best paying company	AstraZeneca	Smithsonian Institution
Best paying industry	Hospitality	Education

Differences between meetings & events manager and special events coordinator education

There are a few differences between a meetings & events manager and a special events coordinator in terms of educational background:

	Meetings & Events Manager	Special Events Coordinator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 82%	Bachelor's Degree, 76%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	San Diego State University	San Diego State University

Meetings & events manager vs special events coordinator demographics

Here are the differences between meetings & events managers' and special events coordinators' demographics:

	Meetings & Events Manager	Special Events Coordinator
Average age	38	38
Gender ratio	Male, 14.6% Female, 85.4%	Male, 26.4% Female, 73.6%
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, 11.3% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 5.9% White, 61.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage	16%	16%

Differences between meetings & events manager and special events coordinator duties and responsibilities

Meetings & events manager example responsibilities.

Manage and mentor team of alliances coordinators and business development representatives.
Submit RFP's to convention and visitors bureaus and hotel partners to secure travel industry funding for all events.
Solicit vendor RFP's and effectively negotiate optimal client savings.
Develop several best practices to include interactive event microsites, event twitter campaigns and in-booth think leadership presentations.
Prepare meeting details for SMERF, corporate, and government markets such as set-up, menus and audio-visual needs.
Coordinate all aspects of educational meetings for medical specialty associations, including requirements for approval of CME accreditation.

Special events coordinator example responsibilities.

Work closely with MDA families, volunteers, sponsors and fellow staff to achieve MDA objectives.
Maintain business website and manage Facebook account.
Manage reservations and priority seating for VIP diners to ensure customer satisfaction and encourage repeat business.
Compile programs and PowerPoint presentations for day of event.
Check RSVP lines and provide attendee list for day of event.
Create promotional flyers, brochures, and PowerPoint presentations for multiple target markets.

Meetings & events manager vs special events coordinator skills

Common meetings & events manager skills

Event Management, 15%
Event Planning, 15%
Site Inspections, 7%
Client Satisfaction, 6%
Cost Savings, 5%
Event Logistics, 5%

Common special events coordinator skills

Customer Service, 24%
Event Planning, 11%
Press Releases, 4%
Event Logistics, 4%
Event Management, 4%
PowerPoint, 3%

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Meetings & Events Manager
Meetings & Events Manager vs Special Events Coordinator

Updated January 8, 2025

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