In the event you’re contemplating a profession as a gathering planner, getting began could be overwhelming. Few faculties provide assembly planning lessons or levels, and lots of corporations don’t have full-time assembly planner positions.
However there are a lot of instructional sources out there on-line, {industry} associations and networking teams you’ll be able to be part of, and certifications you’ll be able to take. Whether or not you intend the occasional occasion, are an administrative assistant or government assistant with assembly duties, or are simply inquisitive about assembly planning as a profession, this information is for you.
Listed here are just a few sources to assist get you began:
Which Schools Supply Assembly Planning Levels?
There’s no query {that a} faculty diploma is fascinating in case you’re seeking to construct a profession as an expert assembly planner.
Based on the profession useful resource platform Zippia, 78% of assembly planners have a bachelor’s diploma and 10% have an affiliate’s diploma. A small proportion, 6%, have grasp’s levels.
A Grasp’s in Assembly and Occasion Administration program, the primary graduate-level program in North America, is obtainable by the L. Robert Payne Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Administration at San Diego State College in collaboration with Assembly Professionals Worldwide.
Planners usually maintain levels in enterprise, communications, advertising, or hospitality, and a small variety of faculties provide assembly planning levels or coursework.
Windsor Crawford, gross sales director, Choose Shades Eyewear Occasions, who heads up the Younger Leaders mentorship program at SITE, emphasizes that whereas training is essential, so is holding abreast of the traits and implementing them into your occasions.
“Persevering with training is an important side. Annually, I see new occasion traits, whether or not that be the decor, gifting, themes, group dimension, actions, CSR, know-how, location, and extra. Whereas it could appear formidable to constantly evolve your program, it’s additionally essential,” stated Crawford, who has her bachelor’s in enterprise administration.
The next faculties and universities provide both bachelor’s levels or concentrations in assembly administration:
Bachelor’s Levels
Rosen School of Hospitality Administration (College of Central Florida), Orlando
B.S. in Occasion Administration.
Purdue College, West Lafayette, Ind.
B.S. in Hospitality and Tourism Administration. Consists of occasion andmeeting planning coursework.
San Diego State College, San Diego, Calif.
B.S. in Hospitality and Tourism Administration. Gives a specialization in conferences and occasions. Additionally:Grasp’s diploma in Assembly and Occasion Administration.
College of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), Las Vegas
B.S. in Hospitality Administration. Options programs in assembly andconvention administration.
Johnson & Wales College (A number of Campuses)
B.S. in Occasion Administration. Focuses on occasion and assembly planning methods.
Metropolitan State College of Denver, Denver
B.A. in Occasion and Assembly Administration.
Certificates
1. New York College (NYU), Faculty of Skilled Research
Certificates in Assembly and Convention Administration.
2. San Francisco State College, School of Prolonged Studying, San Francisco
Certificates in Occasion and Assembly Planning.
3. George Washington College, Washington, D.C.
Occasion Administration Certificates.
4. Temple College, Philadelphia
Occasion Management Government Certificates.
How Can You Discover a Job as a Assembly Planner?
Based on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are 149,000 assembly planner jobs within the nation, with a mean of 16,500 openings for assembly, conference, and occasion planners projected annually.
What’s the common wage for full-time assembly planners? Estimates fluctuate broadly, with Glassdoor displaying a variety between $67,000 and $118,000 per 12 months, a median of $88,623, and a mean of $75,365.
The Skilled Conference Administration Affiliation (PCMA) 2024 Wage Survey pegged the common wage of North American assembly planners at $103,150, with planners with out direct stories incomes $87,000.
To seek out assembly planner jobs, you’ll be able to search on-line listings on websites like Certainly, Monster, and LinkedIn, in addition to discover the job boards of {industry} associations equivalent to Assembly Professionals Worldwide (MPI) and PCMA. Widespread search phrases are ‘assembly planner,’ ‘occasion planner,’ or ‘convention planner.’
Develop Your LinkedIn Connections
Social media websites, particularly LinkedIn, are good sources for studying not solely about job openings but in addition in regards to the cultures of assorted corporations.
“When you’ve got a sure {industry} or company in thoughts, you’ll be able to study lots by befriending individuals on LinkedIn,” stated Daybreak Penfold, president of Meetingjobs, A Cadre Firm. “You may make connections and get details about employers via chatting on LinkedIn. The one caveat is to not do that to extra. You don’t wish to be perceived as a stalker.”
If you study of a job opening, act shortly, as a result of the opening might not be there tomorrow. Penfold and different {industry} recruiters agree that the planners who apply first are those who get essentially the most consideration.
Take into account Temping
Due to tight budgets, many corporations are making the choice to fill assembly planning positions on an as-needed slightly than full-time foundation.
Cadre, sister firm to MeetingJobs, locations contract and freelance positions via its on-line platform. There isn’t a price to be a part of Cadre’s roster of 6,500+ occasion freelancers; the one price is a $25 cost to finish a background examine. Two different corporations that place non permanent planners are Soundings and MeetingsNEvents.
“The planner worker base was ceaselessly modified after Covid,” stated Todd Taranto, president of Cadre. “Corporations rebuilt to 80% full-time workers and added 20% variable labor to scale up or down as wanted.”
Taranto has seen corporations hiring contractors for jobs as small as two to 4 weeks for website inspections or lodge contracting, alongside the extra normal three- to nine-month gigs for a single occasion.
You by no means know if these occasional gigs will flip into everlasting ones, or perhaps a full-time place. And in the meantime, you’ll be able to proceed your job search.
What’s the CMP for Assembly Planners?
The Licensed Assembly Skilled (CMP) program, administered by the Occasions Trade Council (EIC), was launched in 1985 to boost the data and efficiency of assembly professionals, promote the standing and credibility of the assembly occupation, and advance uniform requirements of apply.
The CMP isn’t obligatory, however it’s the most widely known certification for assembly planners, and one which senior planners maintain in excessive regard. It’s also the one certification, that means it’s verified by a 3rd social gathering. As of 2024, greater than 13,000 assembly planners maintain this certification.
The CMP healthcare subspecialty (CMP-HC) program was launched in 2014 to handle the wants of a rising section of CMPs within the healthcare {industry}. These in search of this certification should first go the CMP examination. There are solely 46 people with their CMP-HC certifications.
Earlier than You Get Began: {Qualifications} for the CMP
To take the CMP examination, you should have two issues:
Work expertise — 36 months of full-time expertise within the conferences {industry}, or 24 months with a related diploma. Each the expertise and diploma will need to have taken place throughout the previous 5 years.
Persevering with training — 25 clock hours of continuous training, which may comprise industry-related lessons, workshops, or skilled occasions throughout the previous 5 years, as much as 12.5 of which can be non-industry-specific actions if the subject material aligns with one of many 12 domains within the CMP-Worldwide Requirements (CMP-IS).
People should additionally pledge to comply with the CMP Code of Ethics, a set of primary requirements of values and conduct.
Examination Particulars
Earlier than you start your finding out routine, the EIC suggests that you simply evaluation the CMP-Worldwide Requirements (CMP-IS) to resolve which of the 9 domains you might have the least expertise with, then focus your efforts on that space. Along with the Requirements, the CMP Handbook and Addendum are required studying.
Solutions to the examination might be primarily based on a mix of real-world expertise and the required training.
CMP testing is obtainable year-round at considered one of Prometric’s international testing centres or remotely. The examination consists of 165 multiple-choice questions. The EIC site affords a wide range of sources, from prep supplies to pattern exams.
The CMP software submission price is $350 (nonrefundable), and the examination price is $525 (nonrefundable).
Assembly Planner Teams and Associations You Must Know
Discuss to anybody within the conferences {industry} and also you’ll hear many times: “It’s a relationship enterprise.”
It is all about connections. Planners rely closely on their relationships for suggestions on new lodges and suppliers, in addition to leads on shoppers or jobs.
Creating {industry} relationships could be tough to do when so many planners work remotely. For many who can’t get to stay occasions, many {industry} teams meet nearly, and a few have What’sApp teams or Slack channels. The most important {industry} associations even have native chapters, which is a superb place to begin constructing a community of fellow planners and suppliers situated in your space. As well as, there are additionally casual networking teams that meet on-line and in particular person and are identified for his or her sturdy communities.
Following are {industry} associations, on-line teams, and communities the place you will get began constructing your community.
Trade Associations
Assembly Professionals Worldwide (MPI)Dallas
One of many largest international associations for assembly and occasion professionals, MPI has 17,000 ‘engaged’ members in 24 nations, with 90 chapters and golf equipment. Its main conference, the WEC, rotates amongst totally different cities every summer time. On-line, planners will discover a member listing, data on its a number of certificates applications, a profession heart, and extra.
Worldwide Reside Occasions Affiliation (ILEA)McLean, Va.
ILEA’s 2,000 members are inventive occasion professionals from 35 nations. It hosts an annual conference, common webinars, and is thought for the Esprit Awards for essentially the most excellent stay occasions within the {industry}.
Skilled Conference Administration Affiliation (PCMA)Chicago
PCMA payments itself as ‘the world’s largest group for enterprise occasions strategists, offering senior-level training, networking, and market intelligence for the worldwide enterprise occasions {industry},’ with 8,400 members in 59 nations. In 2020, it acquired the Company Occasion Advertising Affiliation (CEMA), the premier group for B2B occasion entrepreneurs.
World Enterprise Journey Affiliation (GBTA)Alexandria, Va.
GBTA is the enterprise journey {industry}’s largest member-focused group, with 8,500 journey supervisor members, a few of whom plan conferences. The affiliation affords a Fundamentals of Strategic Conferences Administration on-line course, and its Conferences and Occasions Committee is thought for its thought management.
Affiliation of Assembly ProfessionalsWashington, D.C.
AMP is an intimate group of 250 assembly professionals who come collectively for native conferences, group outreach, and an annual golf event.
Area of interest Associations
Society for Incentive Journey Excellence (SITE)Chicago
SITE’s members are 2,900 incentive journey professionals situated in 90 nations, working in firms, companies, airways, cruise corporations, and throughout your complete vacation spot provide chain. Along with its annual convention, the group is thought for incentive {industry} analysis, spearheaded by the SITE Basis.
Society of Authorities Assembly Professionals (SGMP)Clifton, Va.
Devoted completely to serving people who plan and execute authorities conferences within the U.S., SGMP has practically 1,500 members throughout 18 chapters and three satellite tv for pc chapters.
Nationwide Coalition of Black Assembly Professionals (NCBMP)Alexandria, Va.
NCBMP is devoted primarily to the coaching wants of African American assembly planners, with 1,500 members. A partnership with MPI affords particular advantages to members, together with entry to MPI’s community and sources.
LGBT Assembly Professionals Affiliation (LGBT MPA)Alexandria, Va.
LGBT MPA is the main voice for the LGBTQIA2+ international occasions group. It has a group of two,200 members.
Monetary & Insurance coverage Convention ProfessionalsChicago
Targeted solely on the insurance coverage and monetary companies industries, FICP has greater than 700 assembly skilled and 650 hospitality accomplice members.
Spiritual Convention Administration Affiliation (RCMA)Indianapolis
RCMA is the one multi-faith, not-for-profit, worldwide affiliation whose members are completely spiritual assembly planners.
Social Media Teams
1. LinkedIn Teams
Although LinkedIn teams should not as standard as they was once, there are nonetheless some within the occasions {industry} which are value trying out. Some teams are personal, and planners want to use to hitch. A couple of energetic teams are Occasion Execs, Who’s Who in Occasions, and Occasion Planners and Coordinators.
2. Fb Teams
Fashionable planner teams on Fb are Occasion Integrity, moderated by long-time assembly {industry} chief Joan Eisenstodt; the Nationwide Assembly Planners Group; SPIN Planners (Members Solely); and the U.Ok.-based group The Delegate Wranglers (which additionally has a Fb for planners within the U.S. and Canada). All are personal and require that planners apply to hitch.
Skift Conferences can be energetic on LinkedIn, Fb and X.
Communities
1. Membership Ichi
Membership Ichi payments itself as ‘the #1 place for B2B occasion entrepreneurs to attach.’ Free membership affords entry to ‘content material and dialog.’ Upgraded membership provides year-round entry to a Slack channel and stay occasions.
2. Occasion Leaders Trade (ELX)
ELX is a group of senior occasion leaders from international Fortune 500 manufacturers. Membership is by acceptance solely. The group affords roundtables, benchmarking stories, and management summits.
3. The TEN Collective
Targeted on impartial planners, the TEN Collective affords Meetups, Masterminds, and different sources, equivalent to a template library and a contract clause database, to its 200 members. Conferences should not sponsored and haven’t any gross sales agenda.
4. Occasion Execs Circles from The Vendry
The Vendry by Groupize’s ‘Circles’ Slack channel has free, curated discussions for occasion professionals on matters starting from jobs to audio system to venues and distributors. (As of publication, acceptance is on a waitlist solely.)
Many {industry} associations even have their very own on-line communities for members. For instance, MPI has communities for small enterprise homeowners, ladies, administrative professionals, and different area of interest teams.
How A lot Do Assembly Planners Make?
Assembly planning as a occupation is something however a straight path. In reality, most planners report that they ‘fall into the enterprise,’ slightly than deliberately deciding they wish to work in it.
It’s the identical with salaries — there are few guidelines and lots of variables. Skift Conferences took a better take a look at how a lot assembly planners make, by training, expertise degree, area, and kind of group.
Wage Stats
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ most up-to-date median wage for assembly, conference and occasion planners (2023) is $52,560, with the highest 10% incomes $88,000 per 12 months.
Different wage estimates fluctuate broadly, with Glassdoor displaying a variety between $67,000 and $118,000 per 12 months, a median of $88,623, and a mean of $75,365. Certainly lists the common wage at $64,272, with $46,272 on the low finish and a excessive of $87,933.
Skilled Conference Administration Affiliation (PCMA)’s 2024 Wage Survey pegged the common wage of North American assembly planners a lot greater, at $103,150 — a 6% enhance from the earlier 12 months’s common of $97,130. The common wage for affiliation assembly planner respondents was $101.864; company planners reported a mean of $89.457. The survey additionally identified a gender pay hole, with feminine assembly planners incomes a mean of $84,000 in comparison with $100,000 for his or her male counterparts.
As with most positions, a scan of job postings on LinkedIn, Certainly, and Cvent Careers discovered that corporations in main cities equivalent to New York, and know-how hubs equivalent to San Francisco, marketed the best salaries.
Does School Depend?
Does a school diploma result in greater pay? Most sources, together with MPI, say it relies upon.
Usually, persevering with training and certifications — the CMP (Licensed Assembly Skilled); CSEP (Licensed Particular Occasions Skilled); DES (Digital Occasion Strategist); and CMM (Certificates in Assembly Administration) amongst them — can add one other 10% to twenty% to a planner’s wage. Nevertheless, a school diploma is required to land a job at many Fortune 500 corporations and main associations.
Salaries additionally fluctuate broadly relying on the kind of group. Companies with in-house assembly planning departments are likely to pay essentially the most, from $60,000-$100,000, whereas associations pay from $50,000-80,000. Salaries at impartial assembly planning corporations, which plan occasions for company and affiliation shoppers, begin at round $55,000.
