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Conference and Event Planners
What they do?
Conference and event planners perform some or all of the following duties:
A. Meet with trade and professional associations and other groups to promote and discuss conference, convention and trade show services
B. Meet with sponsors and organizing committees to plan scope and format of events, to establish and monitor budgets and to review administrative procedures and progress of events
C. Co-ordinate services for events, such as accommodation and transportation for participants, conference and other facilities, catering, signage, displays, translation, special needs requirements, audio-visual equipment, printing and security
D. Organize registration of participants, prepare programs and promotional material, and publicize events
E. Plan entertainment and social gatherings for participants
F. Hire, train and supervise support staff required for events
G. Ensure compliance with required by-laws
Where they find work?
1. Arts entertainment and recreation - 18.0%
2. Other services (except public administration) - 15.0%
3. Administrative and support waste management and remediation services - 13.0%
4. Public administration - 11.0%
5. Educational services - 7.0%
6. Accommodation and food services - 6.0%
7. Health care and social assistance - 4.0%
What education do I need?
1. A university degree or college diploma in business, tourism or hospitality administration is usually required.
2. Several years of experience in hospitality or tourism administration or in public relations are usually required and may substitute for formal education requirements.
3. Certification relating to special events, meetings or conference management may be required.
4. Many recent entrants have an undergraduate university degree, and almost 3 in 10 have a community college diploma.
High School Subject that will help:
1. English
2. Business
What can you expect to make:
The average hourly wages for Conference and Event Planners is $17.50/HR, which is close to the average for occupations in the business, finance and administration sector and are close to average for all technical, professional, and skilled occupations. These wages grew at a below-average rate from 2002 to 2004.
Average Wage
Expected Wage by Age
Unemployment:
4% of Conference and Event Planners are unemployed. This rate is close to the average for technical, professional, and skilled occupations.
Unemployment
Trends in Unemployment
Current Job Outlook:
The job outlook for Conference and Event Planners is considered Average because:
1. Employment grew at an above-average rate.
2. The retirement rate is above average, and the number of retiring workers contributes to job openings.
3. Hourly wages ($17.50) are close to the average ($18.07), and the rate of the wage growth is below average.
4. The unemployment rate (4%) is close to the 2004 average (7%).
Future Job Prospects:
Your job outlook will continue to be Average because:
1. The employment growth rate will likely be close to the average.
2. The retirement rate will likely be above average and the number of retiring workers should contribute to job openings.
3. The number of job seekers will likely match the number of job openings.
Highest Concetration:
The highest concentrations Conference and Event Planners are found in British Columbia and Ontario while the lowest concentrations are in New Brunswick and Saskatchewan.
Unionization Rate:
The unionization rate (20%) is below the average (32%) for all occupations.
Useful Experience:
1. Leadership
2. Computer literacy
3. Team work
Part Time Workers
Part time workers:
14% of Conference and Event Planners are employed only on a part-time basis. There were 15,900 workers employed in these occupations in 2004, an increase of 231% since 1997.
Age Demographics
Age Demographics:
The retirement rate to 2009 will likely be above average because of a tendency to retire at an earlier-than-average age (60).
