Nature of work
Meeting, convention, and event planner coordinates all aspects of professional meetings and events. He/she chooses meeting locations, arranges transportation, and coordinates other details. The main duties of are the following:-Meet with clients to understand the purpose of the meeting or event.
-Plan the scope of the event, including time, location, program, and cost.
- Work with the client to choose where to hold the event and whom to contract with for services.
-Coordinate event services such as rooms, transportation, and food service.
-Discuss with on-site staff to coordinate details.
-Monitor event activities to ensure the client and event attendees are satisfied.
-Review event bills and approve payment.
He/she coordinates every detail of events, from beginning to end. Before a meeting, for example, planner will meet with clients to estimate attendance and determine the meeting’s purpose. During the meeting, he/she handles meeting logistics such as registering guests and setting up audio/visual equipment for speakers. After the meeting, he/she surveys attendees to find out what topics interested them the most.
Meeting, convention, and event planner also looks for potential meeting sites, such as hotels and convention centers. He/she considers the lodging and services that the facility can provide, how easy it will be for people to get there, and the attractions that the surrounding area has to offer. More recently, planner also considers whether an online meeting can achieve the same objectives as a face-to-face meeting.
The following are types of meeting, convention, and event planners:
Association planners organize annual conferences and trade shows for professional associations. Because member attendance is often voluntary, marketing the meeting’s value is an important aspect of their work.
Corporate planners organize business meetings, usually under tight deadlines.
Government meeting planners organize meetings for government officials and organizations.
Convention service managers help organize major events as employees of hotels and convention centers. They act as liaisons between the meeting facility and the planners who work for associations, businesses, or governments.
Event planners arrange the details of a variety of events, including weddings and large parties.
Environment of work
Meeting planner works in pleasant offices. He/she often travels to inspect meeting sites to evaluate all aspects of the site. He/she should be good negotiators in order to make the most cost-effective arrangements for their employers. On the whole, meeting planners' schedules can be erratic. He/she can work eighteen-hour days in the weeks leading up to a big meeting. Afterward, however, his/her workload may drop drastically. Planner also needs to be adaptable and creative. He/she should work well under pressure and be able to deal with unexpected problems. Professional life
Job opportunities should be best for people with a bachelor's degree in hospitality management. A Certified Meeting Planner (CMP) credential is also viewed favorably by potential employers. Those who have experience with virtual meeting software and social media outlets also should have an advantage in the job search.Event planners can also expect strong competition for jobs. Those with related work experience should have the best job opportunities.
To advance in their careers, planners should volunteer to take on more responsibility and find better ways of doing their job. The most important factors in advancement are demonstrated skill, determination, and respect from peers. Because formal education is also increasingly important, those with limited experience may enhance their standing by enrolling in event planning courses offered by universities or professional associations.
Salaries for meeting planners depend on the size of the company and the amount of responsibility the planner has. Freelance planners who have a good reputation, many years of experience, and an established clientele earn the most money.
Range of typical starting salaries: 35000 SYP plus potential bonuses.
Getting the job
Applicants should have at least a bachelor's degree and some work experience related to planning.Many employers prefer applicants who have a bachelor's degree and related work experience in hotels or planning. If an applicant’s degree is not related to hospitality management, employers are likely to require at least 1 to 2 years of related work experience.
Meeting, convention, and event planners come from a variety of academic disciplines. Some related undergraduate majors include marketing, public relations, communications, business, and hospitality management. Planners who have studied hospitality management may start out with greater responsibilities than those from other academic disciplines.
Skills
Communication skills: Meeting, convention, and event planner communicates with clients, suppliers, and event staff. He/she should have excellent written and oral communication skills.Computer skills :Planner should be familiar with computers, database software, budgets, and online social media.
Customer-service skills: Planners should understand their clients’ needs. They must act professionally in a variety of situations, know how to keep an audience engaged, and help participants network with peers.
Interpersonal skills:Planners should be good at establishing and maintaining positive relationships with clients and suppliers.
Negotiation skills: Planners should be able to negotiate service contracts that get the best prices for their clients.
Organizational skills: To provide high quality meetings, planner should be detail-oriented, good at multitasking, and able to meet tight deadlines.
Problem-solving skills: When problems arise, planner should be able to come up with creative solutions that satisfy clients.
Sources and references
If you need any further information on what is included in this file, you can visit the following websites: www.mpiweb.org, Meeting Professionals International
www.pcma.org, Professional Convention Management Associat
Arab Standard Classification of Occupations, 2008, Ed. Arab Labor Organization.
Summary
Meeting, convention, and event planner coordinates all aspects of professional meetings and events. He/she chooses meeting locations, arranges transportation, and coordinates other details. He/she coordinates every detail of events, from beginning to end.Event planners can also expect strong competition for jobs