Meetings manager vs conference coordinator

The differences between meetings 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 a meetings manager and a conference coordinator. Additionally, a meetings manager has an average salary of $63,589, which is higher than the $41,978 average annual salary of a conference coordinator.

The top three skills for a meetings manager include client facing, cost savings and vendor contracts. The most important skills for a conference coordinator are conference calls, reservations, and event planning.

Meetings manager vs conference coordinator overview

	Meetings Manager	Conference Coordinator
Yearly salary	$63,589	$41,978
Hourly rate	$30.57	$20.18
Growth rate	18%	18%
Number of jobs	1,821	19,660
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 76%	Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Average age	38	38
Years of experience	2	2

What does a meetings manager do?

Meetings managers are professionals who organize the details that involve planning large and small events, including meetings. These managers are required to conduct site selections so that they can make recommendations to the committees involved while handling vendor negotiations and preparing proposals. They must manage responsibilities related to invitation and attendee management processes such as meeting registration, air travel, ground transportation, and accommodation. Meetings managers must also schedule for all managers to meet with audio-visual staff so that they can test run all their presentations.

What does a conference coordinator do?

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.

Meetings manager vs conference coordinator salary

Meetings managers and conference coordinators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Meetings Manager	Conference Coordinator
Average salary	$63,589	$41,978
Salary range	Between $46,000 And $87,000	Between $32,000 And $54,000
Highest paying City	-	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	-	New York
Best paying company	-	Battelle
Best paying industry	-	Telecommunication

Differences between meetings manager and conference coordinator education

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

	Meetings Manager	Conference Coordinator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 76%	Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	San Diego State University	San Diego State University

Meetings manager vs conference coordinator demographics

Here are the differences between meetings managers' and conference coordinators' demographics:

	Meetings Manager	Conference Coordinator
Average age	38	38
Gender ratio	Male, 18.9% Female, 81.1%	Male, 26.5% Female, 73.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.5% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.1% Asian, 5.9% White, 61.6% 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%

Differences between meetings manager and conference coordinator duties and responsibilities

Meetings manager example responsibilities.

Manage of hotel master accounts and organize VIP services for client leadership and celebrity guests.
Manage relationships with vendors, hotel staff and DMC's to ensure delivery of services as defined by senior management.
Design metrics to analyze and improve return on investment (ROI).
Assist all clients with booking hotel guest rooms and offer discount when applicable.
Contract suppliers including hotels, DMC's, and exhibit companies, and maintain relationships.
Create, circulate and analyze feedback forms to summarize ROI and report results to stakeholders.

Conference coordinator example responsibilities.

Manage internal & external reservations for audio and videoconferencing requirements over telephone and via e-mail.
Attend daily and weekly BEO meetings.
Process documentation of hotel BEO s and final invoices while disputing where necessary.
Help Medicaid eligible members to secure both physical and behavioral services in the community by reviewing and preparing prior authorization requests.
Track lead referrals and ROI.
Track budget costs and ROI relate to each event.

Meetings manager vs conference coordinator skills

Common meetings manager skills

Client Facing, 17%
Cost Savings, 12%
Vendor Contracts, 11%
Site Selection, 11%
Event Budgets, 9%
Ground Transportation, 6%

Common conference coordinator skills

Conference Calls, 15%
Reservations, 13%
Event Planning, 6%
Audio Visual Equipment, 5%
Conference Planning, 4%
Event Management, 4%

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Meetings Manager vs Conference Coordinator

Updated January 8, 2025

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