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Hospitality & Hotels
Marriott International, Hilton, Hyatt
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners
Meeting, convention, and event planners turn a client’s idea, budget, and guest list into a working schedule, venue setup, and vendor plan. The job stands out because it mixes office planning with live problem-solving: a smooth event depends on details like rooms, catering, transportation, and equipment all lining up at the same time.
Also known as Event PlannerMeeting PlannerConference PlannerConvention PlannerCorporate Event Planner
Median Salary
$59,440
Mean $65,090
U.S. Workforce
~135K
15.5K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+4.8%
155.8K to 163.3K
Entry Education
Bachelor's degree
+ None experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners sits in the Business category. In practical terms, this role combines day-to-day execution, cross-team coordination, and consistent decision-making under real business constraints.
U.S. employment is currently about ~135K workers, with a median annual pay of $59,440 and roughly 15.5K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to grow from 155.8 K in 2024 to 163.3K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with Bachelor's degree, and employers typically expect none of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around Event Assistant and can progress toward Director of Events. High-value skills usually include Cvent, Eventbrite & Registration Systems, Microsoft Excel & Budget Tracking, and Smartsheet, Asana & Event Scheduling, paired with soft skills such as Active listening, Speaking, and Coordination.
Core Responsibilities
- Meet with clients to pin down the purpose of the event, the budget, the audience, and any special needs.
- Visit possible venues and check whether the rooms, layout, access, and equipment will actually work for the event.
- Book and coordinate outside services such as food, audio-visual gear, transportation, printing, and security.
- Build a detailed event schedule and keep speakers, staff, and vendors aligned on timing.
Keep exploring: more Business careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Meet with clients to pin down the purpose of the event, the budget, the audience, and any special needs.
02 Visit possible venues and check whether the rooms, layout, access, and equipment will actually work for the event.
03 Book and coordinate outside services such as food, audio-visual gear, transportation, printing, and security.
04 Build a detailed event schedule and keep speakers, staff, and vendors aligned on timing.
05 Recruit, train, and direct volunteers or temporary staff before and during the event.
06 After the event, collect feedback and review what should be changed for the next one.
Industries That Hire
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Technology Company Events
Microsoft, Salesforce, Adobe
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Trade Shows & Exhibitions
Freeman, Informa, RX
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Entertainment & Live Events
Live Nation, Disney, NBA
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Nonprofits & Associations
American Heart Association, AARP, American Medical Association
Pros and Cons
Advantages
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The pay is solid for a coordination-heavy job, with a median salary of $59,440 and a mean of $65,090.
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BLS says no prior work experience or on-the-job training is required, so a bachelor's degree can be enough to get started.
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There are plenty of openings because the occupation is projected to add 15.5K openings a year.
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The work changes constantly, so you are not stuck doing the same task every day.
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Skills transfer across hotels, corporations, nonprofits, and venues, which gives you a wide set of employers to target.
Challenges
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Growth is only 4.8% through 2034, so this is not a fast-expanding field.
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The job is deadline-driven and often means nights, weekends, and event-day pressure when plans change at the last minute.
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Demand depends on event budgets, travel, and discretionary spending, so downturns can quickly reduce bookings and hiring.
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Routine scheduling and registration work can be handled by software, which can squeeze the simpler, lower-paid parts of the role and limit pay growth without broader event-management skills.
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The work has a visible ceiling if you stay in basic coordination, because advancement usually means moving into larger accounts, supervision, or management.
Career Progression
Event Assistant
0-2 years
$35K-$44K
Helps with setup, registrations, vendor check-ins, and basic office tasks while learning how events come together.
Event Coordinator
2-5 years
$45K-$57K
Runs smaller events or pieces of larger ones, keeps schedules on track, and handles more direct contact with clients and vendors.
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planner THIS ROLE
5-9 years
$58K-$77K
Plans full events end to end, from venue selection and contracts to staffing, timing, and post-event review.
Senior Event Planner
9-14 years
$78K-$99K
Leads larger or more complex events, supervises other planners, and handles higher-stakes client relationships and budgets.
Director of Events
14+ years
$100K-$130K
Sets event strategy for an organization, manages teams and budgets, and makes final calls when priorities conflict.
Education Paths
Bachelor's degree
The most common route, held by 40.8% of workers in the distribution, and the BLS lists it as the typical entry level for this occupation.
Associate's degree
An alternative path used by 7.49% of workers in the distribution, often in hospitality, business, or event-focused programs.
Post-secondary certificate
Another alternative, held by 6.64% of workers in the distribution, and it can help when paired with hands-on experience in hotels, venues, or offices.
Professional certification in meeting and event planning
A realistic non-degree option for people who already work in hospitality or office coordination and want to prove they can manage event software, vendors, and timelines.
Key Skills
Technical
Cvent, Eventbrite & Registration Systems 80%
Microsoft Excel & Budget Tracking 79%
Smartsheet, Asana & Event Scheduling 78%
Venue Sourcing, RFPs & Contract Management 77%
Audiovisual Setup & Event Production Logistics 76%
CRM Databases & Client Workflow Tracking 75%
Soft Skills
Active listeningSpeakingCoordinationCritical thinkingTime managementClient service Job Outlook and Trends
+4.8%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
15.5K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 155.8K to 163.3 K over the next decade, representing 4.8% growth. Around 15.5 K openings per year include both newly created roles and replacement hiring from turnover.
Remote availability is currently Moderate. Demand remains strongest where employers need practical domain knowledge plus modern workflow and data skills.