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Meetings and Convention Planner

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AVG. SALARY

$43,890

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EDUCATION

Bachelor's degree

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JOB OUTLOOK

Stable

What To Learn

High School

What high school courses should you take if you're interested in this career? Get your answers from the Business Management and Administration cluster Operations Management pathway.

Beyond High School

Here's a list of programs that you should consider if you're interested in this career:

Education Level

Education training and experience are required at different levels for success in different occupations.

Bachelor's degree

Meeting, convention, and event planners typically need a bachelor's degree. Some experience related to event planning may be helpful.

Insider Info

Additional Information

Conference organizers are skilled negotiators with a professional approach. They are also experts at scheduling, program design and agenda planning. A wide range of experience is the main prerequisite for this job.

Jean-Paul de Lavison is the president of a conference organizing company. He has hired people with a wide variety of backgrounds, from nursing to law to dentistry.

Regardless of their histories, they all have one thing in common: professionalism. "It's not as if these people went to a school where they were taught professionalism. They were pros, period," he says.

If you're interested in pursuing this career, find some kind of work in the area, even if it means volunteering. Volunteering is one of the best ways to get experience in organization and management.

Approach your local chamber of commerce or convention and visitors bureau. These organizations may be able to give you information on internships in meeting planning, as well.

Or get involved in a volunteer organization, or join a club and take over. Take up an opportunity to organize something. Practice your networking skills. They're necessities in the planning business.

It takes time to become a successful conference organizer. Most organizers are in their 40s and come from various backgrounds in business, public relations, hospitality and tourism.

Vanessa Burns-Trevitt, for instance, has a degree in public relations. She has a strong background in volunteer work. She got a lot of experience organizing for nonprofit organizations.

Meeting Professionals International (MPI) suggests you go into a hospitality management, meeting management or hotel-restaurant-travel administration program. Check out the colleges and universities near you for programs in these areas.

MPI says most professionals in this industry have degrees or experience in management and business.

As a conference organizer, you may want to get certified. A council called the Convention Liaison Council oversees the certified meeting professional program. Getting this certification requires you to work in the field, take courses, and pass exams before you are allowed to put "CMP" after your name.

MPI has developed a certificate program in meeting management. People who complete it receive the certified meeting managers (CMM) designation. It is designed to complement the Convention Liaison Council's certified meeting planner (CMP) designation.

Extra Requirements

The Events Industry Council offers the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) credential, a voluntary certification for meeting and convention planners. Although the CMP is not required, it is widely recognized in the industry and may help in career advancement. The Society of Government Meeting Professionals (SGMP) offers the Certified Government Meeting Professional (CGMP) designation for meeting planners who work for, or contract with, federal, state, or local government. This certification is helpful for candidates who want to show that they know government purchasing policies and travel regulations. Some organizations, including the American Association of Certified Wedding Planners, offer certifications in wedding planning that may be helpful for attracting clients.

For additional information, visit these websites:

Contact

  • Email Support

  • 1-800-GO-TO-XAP (1-800-468-6927)
    From outside the U.S., please call +1 (424) 750-3900

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OCAP believes that financial literacy and understanding the financial aid process are critical aspects of college planning and student success. OCAP staff who work with students, parents, educators and community partners in the areas of personal finance education, state and federal financial aid, and student loan management do not provide financial, investment, legal, and/or tax advice. This website and all information provided is for general educational purposes only, and is not intended to be construed as financial, investment, legal, and/or tax advice.