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The differences between meetings 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 manager and an event planner. Additionally, a meetings manager has an average salary of $63,589, which is higher than the $51,542 average annual salary of an event planner.
The top three skills for a meetings manager include client facing, cost savings and vendor contracts. The most important skills for an event planner are customer service, vendor contracts, and plan events.
| Meetings Manager | Event Planner | |
| Yearly salary | $63,589 | $51,542 |
| Hourly rate | $30.57 | $24.78 |
| Growth rate | 18% | 18% |
| Number of jobs | 1,821 | 19,793 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 70% |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
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.
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 managers and event planners have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Meetings Manager | Event Planner | |
| Average salary | $63,589 | $51,542 |
| Salary range | Between $46,000 And $87,000 | Between $35,000 And $74,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Stamford, CT |
| Highest paying state | - | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | - | Intelliswift |
| Best paying industry | - | Technology |
There are a few differences between a meetings manager and an event planner in terms of educational background:
| Meetings Manager | Event Planner | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | 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 managers' and event planners' demographics:
| Meetings Manager | Event Planner | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 18.9% Female, 81.1% | Male, 22.4% Female, 77.6% |
| 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, 11.4% 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% |