Convention Planner Training and Jobs
Schools and Degrees
Employers generally prefer applicants with a bachelors degree, but this is not always required. The number of planners with a bachelor’s degree is increasing as the work and responsibilities are becoming more specialized and complex. Marketing, communications, public relations, business and hotel or hospitality management are useful undergraduate majors for planners. Most of the training is done informally on the job. The Convention Industry Council offers the Certified Meeting Professional diploma, a voluntary certification for convention planners. For this, the candidates must have a minimum of 3 years of convention management experience, full-time employment in a convention management capacity and proof of accountability for successfully completed meetings. Those who qualify must then pass an examination that covers topics such as adult learning, financial management, facilities and services, logistics and meeting programs. The Society of Government Meeting Professionals offers the Certified Government Meeting Professional credential.
Training and Education
Successful employees find it useful to have a bachelor's degree. According to recent surveys, 67% of convention planners had received a degree. Workers with some schooling beyond high school, but not a college degree, total about 22%. A high school degree was all that was needed for 11% of employees.
Job Overview
Conventions are organized to bring people together for a common purpose, and convention planners work to ensure that this purpose is achieved flawlessly. Convention planners coordinate every detail of meetings and conventions, starting from the speakers and meeting location to arranging for printed materials and audio-visual equipment. The first step is to determine the purpose, message or impression that the sponsoring organization wants to communicate. Planners focus on how meetings affect the goals of their organizations and then choose speakers, entertainment and content and arrange the program to present the organization’s information in the most effective way.
Job Requirements
Convention planners must have excellent written and verbal communications skills, interpersonal skills, organizational skills and the ability to multi-task effectively. They are also required to meet deadlines and maintain composure under pressure. Quantitative and analytical skills are necessary aids in devising and following budgets. The ability to speak multiple languages and knowledge of computers are added advantages. Convention planners should understand the organization’s goals for a meeting so that those needs are clearly communicated to meeting site staff and other suppliers. Work aspects vary depending on the type of organization the planner works for. Corporate planners usually have less time to prepare for their meetings. Convention planners in small organizations perform a wider range of duties. In large organizations, they are more likely to specialize in a particular aspect of meeting planning.
Nature of Work
The work of convention planners may be considered either stressful or energizing, but it is surely fast-paced and demanding. Planners look after multiple operations at a time, face numerous deadlines and coordinate the activities of different groups of people. They spend the majority of their time in an their office, but they work on-site at hotels, convention centers or other meeting locations during meetings. Work hours can be long and irregular, and planners might have to work for more than 40 hours in weeks leading up to a meeting, and fewer hours after finishing a meeting. They may get to travel to beautiful hotels and interesting places and meet speakers and delegates from all around the world as well.
Area Job Conditions
Looking at convention planners per capita, Brockton (Massachusetts), Washington (District of Columbia), and Hot Springs (Arkansas) rise to the top of the list. Omaha (Nebraska), Knoxville (Tennessee), and Little Rock (Arkansas) have the fewest per capita.
The highest salaries for workers are in and around Bridgeport (Connecticut), New York (New York), and San Francisco (California). The lowest-paying areas are Killeen (Texas), Shreveport (Louisiana), and Sioux Falls (South Dakota).
Part-Time and Self Employment
Convention planners working less than full time, whether by design or chance, were 14% of the total. If you have this occupation and work on your own rather than for another company, you are part of the 6% of workers who do so.
Career Videos
Convention Planners by Metropolitan Area (city and its surroundings)
In the table below, a Job Density near 0% means the area has an average number of people in this occupation, for its population. A higher or lower Job Density (e.g., +22% or -45%) tells you there are that many more or fewer workers of that type there than in the average US metro area. So, the higher the number, the more common the occupation.
Alabama
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | $48,000 | 170 | -16% |
| Huntsville | $56,000 | 70 | -16% |
| Montgomery | $48,000 | 30 | -54% |
Alaska
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage | $52,000 | 50 | -25% |
Arizona
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix | $48,000 | 790 | +8% |
| Tucson | $50,000 | 140 | +0% |
Arkansas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville | $41,000 | 100 | +23% |
| Little Rock | $45,000 | 80 | -43% |
California
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield | $57,000 | 40 | -62% |
| Fresno | $40,000 | 40 | -69% |
| Los Angeles | $47,000 | 1,780 | +6% |
| Modesto | $53,000 | 40 | -35% |
| Napa | $47,000 | 30 | +29% |
| Oakland | $54,000 | 430 | +4% |
| Oxnard | $55,000 | 90 | -26% |
| Riverside | $47,000 | 280 | -44% |
| Sacramento | $50,000 | 410 | +14% |
| Salinas | $49,000 | 160 | +152% |
| San Diego | $49,000 | 700 | +29% |
| San Francisco | $60,000 | 1,010 | +145% |
| San Jose | $59,000 | 310 | -17% |
| San Luis Obispo | $49,000 | 30 | -15% |
| Santa Ana | $52,000 | 680 | +12% |
| Santa Barbara | $58,000 | 120 | +80% |
| Santa Cruz | $49,000 | 40 | +21% |
| Santa Rosa | $60,000 | 70 | +1% |
Colorado
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder | $59,000 | 110 | +81% |
| Colorado Springs | $43,000 | 170 | +66% |
| Denver | $52,000 | 750 | +45% |
| Fort Collins | $41,000 | 50 | +2% |
Connecticut
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport | $58,000 | 250 | +43% |
| Danbury | $43,000 | 40 | +57% |
| Hartford | $51,000 | 150 | -37% |
| New Haven | $50,000 | 80 | -28% |
| Norwich | $45,000 | 70 | +46% |
Delaware
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington | $49,000 | 150 | +13% |
District of Columbia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $60,000 | 3,740 | +269% |
Florida
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Coral | $44,000 | 30 | -61% |
| Deltona | $51,000 | 40 | -34% |
| Fort Lauderdale | $52,000 | 370 | +28% |
| Gainesville | $40,000 | 60 | +27% |
| Jacksonville | $42,000 | 310 | +25% |
| Miami | $47,000 | 510 | +25% |
| Naples | $46,000 | 40 | -8% |
| Orlando | $42,000 | 950 | +125% |
| Pensacola | $32,000 | 60 | +2% |
| Sarasota | $41,000 | 60 | -40% |
| Tallahassee | $44,000 | 120 | +88% |
| Tampa | $50,000 | 530 | +12% |
| West Palm Beach | $47,000 | 170 | -20% |
Georgia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | $41,000 | 2,260 | +135% |
| Columbus | $45,000 | 40 | -7% |
| Savannah | $45,000 | 70 | +19% |
Hawaii
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu | $53,000 | 190 | +5% |
Idaho
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boise | $33,000 | 40 | -62% |
Illinois
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Champaign | $44,000 | 30 | -24% |
| Springfield | $43,000 | 90 | +116% |
Indiana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evansville | $38,000 | 50 | -27% |
| Indianapolis | $44,000 | 350 | -6% |
Iowa
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines | $44,000 | 160 | +19% |
Kansas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lawrence | $31,000 | 50 | +223% |
| Manhattan | $44,000 | 40 | +111% |
| Topeka | $37,000 | 50 | +17% |
| Wichita | $33,000 | 60 | -49% |
Kentucky
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington | $35,000 | 180 | +85% |
| Louisville | $43,000 | 280 | +12% |
Louisiana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge | $44,000 | 90 | -41% |
| New Orleans | $46,000 | 310 | +42% |
Maine
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland | $37,000 | 80 | -1% |
Maryland
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore | $49,000 | 700 | +28% |
| Bethesda | $56,000 | 600 | +151% |
Massachusetts
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barnstable Town | $49,000 | 50 | +31% |
| Boston | $57,000 | 1,270 | +75% |
| Framingham | $63,000 | 110 | +70% |
| Lowell | $65,000 | 50 | +7% |
| Peabody | $52,000 | 40 | +2% |
| Springfield | $55,000 | 130 | +7% |
| Worcester | $53,000 | 90 | -12% |
Michigan
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ann Arbor | $47,000 | 140 | +110% |
| Battle Creek | $43,000 | 30 | +59% |
| Detroit | $51,000 | 200 | -28% |
| Flint | $36,000 | 40 | -22% |
| Grand Rapids | $52,000 | 90 | -42% |
| Lansing | $47,000 | 90 | +13% |
| Saginaw | $35,000 | 30 | -4% |
| Warren | $44,000 | 370 | -17% |
Minnesota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis | $47,000 | 1,040 | +40% |
Mississippi
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson | $36,000 | 50 | -51% |
Missouri
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia | $47,000 | 30 | -1% |
| Kansas City | $48,000 | 470 | +11% |
| St Louis | $46,000 | 570 | +3% |
Montana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billings | $33,000 | 60 | +88% |
| Missoula | $34,000 | 30 | +57% |
Nebraska
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln | $32,000 | 60 | -6% |
| Omaha | $45,000 | 120 | -38% |
Nevada
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas | $49,000 | 320 | -9% |
| Reno | $47,000 | 120 | +57% |
New Hampshire
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nashua | $49,000 | 40 | -26% |
New Jersey
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic City | $50,000 | 60 | +5% |
| Camden | $51,000 | 130 | -40% |
| Edison | $57,000 | 420 | -2% |
| Newark | $54,000 | 310 | -25% |
| Trenton | $53,000 | 80 | -13% |
New Mexico
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque | $53,000 | 80 | -49% |
| Santa Fe | $49,000 | 30 | +30% |
New York
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albany | $51,000 | 240 | +29% |
| Binghamton | $42,000 | 30 | -32% |
| Buffalo | $43,000 | 210 | -8% |
| Ithaca | $45,000 | 30 | +106% |
| Kingston | $64,000 | 30 | +34% |
| Nassau | $51,000 | 350 | -34% |
| New York | $59,000 | 4,070 | +88% |
| Poughkeepsie | $71,000 | 160 | +60% |
| Syracuse | $45,000 | 100 | -22% |
| Utica | $38,000 | 30 | -39% |
North Carolina
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville | 70 | -1% | |
| Charlotte | $44,000 | 280 | -21% |
| Durham | $60,000 | 320 | +185% |
| Greensboro | $41,000 | 110 | -25% |
| Raleigh | $44,000 | 170 | -20% |
| Wilmington | 40 | -26% | |
| Winston Salem | $44,000 | 50 | -41% |
North Dakota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fargo | $30,000 | 40 | -16% |
Ohio
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akron | $36,000 | 70 | -47% |
| Canton | $32,000 | 30 | -55% |
| Cincinnati | $52,000 | 310 | -26% |
| Cleveland | $41,000 | 330 | -22% |
| Columbus | $44,000 | 320 | -16% |
| Dayton | $41,000 | 90 | -43% |
| Toledo | $38,000 | 50 | -58% |
Oklahoma
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City | $35,000 | 140 | -41% |
| Tulsa | 140 | -21% |
Oregon
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eugene | $40,000 | 70 | +26% |
| Portland | $45,000 | 490 | +15% |
| Salem | $36,000 | 100 | +69% |
Pennsylvania
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harrisburg | $44,000 | 230 | +76% |
| Philadelphia | $53,000 | 930 | +17% |
| Pittsburgh | $41,000 | 310 | -35% |
| Scranton | $39,000 | 40 | -62% |
| State College | $47,000 | 40 | +72% |
| York | $59,000 | 50 | -29% |
Rhode Island
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence | $51,000 | 190 | -18% |
South Carolina
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | $48,000 | 100 | -15% |
| Columbia | $42,000 | 130 | -9% |
| Greenville | $39,000 | 120 | -2% |
| Myrtle Beach | $38,000 | 40 | -6% |
South Dakota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid City | $31,000 | 30 | +27% |
| Sioux Falls | $29,000 | 80 | +46% |
Tennessee
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga | $35,000 | 50 | -46% |
| Knoxville | $46,000 | 60 | -56% |
| Memphis | $43,000 | 210 | -18% |
| Nashville | $53,000 | 330 | +7% |
Texas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| College Station | $45,000 | 180 | +409% |
| Corpus Christi | $43,000 | 30 | -58% |
| Dallas | $48,000 | 1,040 | +19% |
| El Paso | $37,000 | 50 | -55% |
| Fort Worth | $44,000 | 330 | -8% |
| Houston | $44,000 | 1,010 | -8% |
| San Antonio | $45,000 | 300 | -17% |
| Tyler | $32,000 | 70 | +103% |
Utah
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ogden | $33,000 | 110 | +37% |
| Provo | $36,000 | 70 | +3% |
| Salt Lake City | $51,000 | 210 | -17% |
Vermont
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington | $39,000 | 70 | +61% |
Virginia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlottesville | $43,000 | 60 | +82% |
| Richmond | $45,000 | 410 | +61% |
| Roanoke | $45,000 | 40 | -35% |
| Virginia Beach | $44,000 | 260 | -17% |
Washington
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellingham | $44,000 | 50 | +80% |
| Olympia | $47,000 | 40 | +5% |
| Seattle | $48,000 | 740 | +27% |
| Spokane | $40,000 | 60 | -27% |
| Tacoma | $52,000 | 50 | -54% |
West Virginia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wheeling | $35,000 | 40 | +65% |
Wisconsin
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eau Claire | $33,000 | 70 | +151% |
| Green Bay | $44,000 | 40 | -40% |
| Madison | $42,000 | 260 | +88% |
| Milwaukee | $41,000 | 270 | -22% |
| Wausau | $23,000 | 50 | +102% |