Special events planner vs meeting planner

The differences between special events planners and meeting 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 special events planner and a meeting planner. Additionally, a meeting planner has an average salary of $56,257, which is higher than the $50,325 average annual salary of a special events planner.

The top three skills for a special events planner include national security, event planning and event coordination. The most important skills for a meeting planner are client facing, event planning, and powerpoint.

Special events planner vs meeting planner overview

	Special Events Planner	Meeting Planner
Yearly salary	$50,325	$56,257
Hourly rate	$24.19	$27.05
Growth rate	18%	18%
Number of jobs	28,688	17,112
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 73%	Bachelor's Degree, 78%
Average age	38	38
Years of experience	2	2

Special events planner vs meeting planner salary

Special events planners and meeting planners have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Special Events Planner	Meeting Planner
Average salary	$50,325	$56,257
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $84,000	Between $40,000 And $77,000
Highest paying City	-	Newark, NJ
Highest paying state	-	New Jersey
Best paying company	-	AbbVie
Best paying industry	-	Hospitality

Differences between special events planner and meeting planner education

There are a few differences between a special events planner and a meeting planner in terms of educational background:

	Special Events Planner	Meeting Planner
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 73%	Bachelor's Degree, 78%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	San Diego State University	San Diego State University

Special events planner vs meeting planner demographics

Here are the differences between special events planners' and meeting planners' demographics:

	Special Events Planner	Meeting Planner
Average age	38	38
Gender ratio	Male, 23.6% Female, 76.4%	Male, 12.4% Female, 87.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.1% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.1% Asian, 5.8% White, 62.0% 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 special events planner and meeting planner duties and responsibilities

Special events planner example responsibilities.

Select and manage live entertainment for VIP parties, special events and weekend entertainment.
Maintain business website and manage Facebook account.
Create and present PowerPoint presentations at trades shows and workshops.
Orchestrate seamless industry VIP and charity events worldwide involving up to 800 guests and budgets of up to $12K.
Develop agenda and itinerary, organize and procure all speaker biographies and materials and logistics for successful program execution.
Assist in the development of sponsorship opportunities, themes, and giveaways.

Meeting planner example responsibilities.

Manage company's social medias and publish weekly relate topics on Facebook and newsletter.
Confirm reservations, registrations and manage itineraries.
Develop and issue client/supplier contracts, submit RFP s, secure meeting space, research and create budgets for proposals.
Handle all participants regarding event specifications, RFP's, registrations, confirmations, cancellations, schedules, and cost summaries.
Deliver onsite execution and conduct post event surveys.
Oversee arrangements for event production and onsite technology.

Special events planner vs meeting planner skills

Common special events planner skills

National Security, 21%
Event Planning, 7%
Event Coordination, 7%
Event Management, 6%
Event Logistics, 5%
Event Budgets, 4%

Common meeting planner skills

Client Facing, 10%
Event Planning, 8%
PowerPoint, 6%
Audio Visual, 5%
Event Management, 5%
Site Selection, 4%

Special Events Planner vs. similar jobs

Special Events Planner related careers

Special Events Planner related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Business and Financial Industry
Special Events Planner
Special Events Planner vs Meeting Planner

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse business and financial jobs