Job Responsibilities
The functions you list in your function category don't fit me.
What I do is coordinate meetings for a large foundation. I
handle the logistics and plan the meals for about 350 meetings a
year. This includes set up and break down, and sometimes picking
up the meal. I also make sure the A/V needs are taken care of. I
also handle all the paperwork, and make sure the vendors are
paid. 98% of the time, I am the staff. In a pinch, I can call on
one of the people in my department to assist me. There are
people involved in meeting plnning in practically every
industry. Please add Meeting or Event Planning onto your
function list.
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Job Requirements
There are lots of ways to get into meeting planning. Many
people, such as admins, do meeting planning, but are not called
meeting planners. I have a BA in a subject that is no longer
taught at my university, which has nothing to do with meeting
planning. You can now get a college degree in hospitality &
tourism, which also covers meeting planning. Having any kind of
BA is good, because it opens the field of choices. The
foundation only hires people with a BA, for instance. I did not
get a hospitality degree, I took several courses in meeting
planning as part of an extended education offering from one of
the local state universities. I also did a LOT of volunteer work
planning and setting up events and meetings. I took a lot of
jobs as a grunt, setting up events, meeting people at hotels and
airports, anything I could do to be involved, In the process, I
built up a resume and eventually landed a job working for an
event cooordinator, I gained a lot of experience with her and
then landed my current position. I have since joined Meeting
Professionals International, which offers ongoing seminars,
educational luncheons, conventions, and volunteer activities.
There are a lot of opportunities to build on your experience in
the field and to network at the same time. I have gone on to
earn a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation, which I
had to qualify for and then pass a test. The CMP tells other
meeting professionals that I know what I am talking about. The
are other designations you can earn in the field. The CMP is
offered through the Convention Industry Council, which also has
a panel called APEX, which is standadizing all meeting planning
practices. There are several other associations of meeting
professionals out there, as well.
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Uppers
The big upper is doing all the planning, and then watching people enjoy
themselves while I make everything work from the background. Walt Disney once
said, "It's fun to do the impossible." Meeting planning is often like that,
especially when you are trying to do something extra special within the budget
you've been given, but pulling it off is fun. As for my current job, I love it. I
am now being paid for work I used to volunteer for. I used to organize dances and
parties in high school and college. I have since organized benefits, concerts,
and reunions, as well. Plus I work for a company that does good things out in the
world.
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Downers
There is a lot of paperwork. A lot of detail. Sometimes vendors
don't come through or don't deliver what they said or don't meet
your deadline, and you have to improvise. You often show up
early and stay late. For many meeting planners, they don't have
weekends. If you're married, it can be a strain, because you are
often away in another city and can't always take your spouse, or
she can't get the time off. Even if you could take her, you're
working overtime and you won't be spending much time together. I
know a lot of meeting planners who take groups to exotic
locales, but don't get to enjoy what the location has to offer.
Their enjoyment comes from making sure everyone else has a good
time. And you need to keep smiling and keep your cool when
problems occur.
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Lifestyle
In my position, I work from 8:30-5:00 officially. I often come in early and/or
stay late. I rarely travel on business. I can usually make arrangements for a
meeting in another city from my desk, or hire another meeting planner on contract
if the meeting is big or important enough to warrant onsite management. I manage
most company social events, plus the Board Meetings. Our dress code is business
casual, with an emphasis on the casual. Suits are sometimes worn in meetings. We
have a very diverse workforce, and have a staff with about 75% women.
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Compensation
I currently make $48,000, plus great benefits. Not just Delta
Dental, we get Delta Dental Premium, for instance. And we only
pay 10% of the costs. I have a financial planner I can consult
with at my disposal. If I needed it, I could be reimbursed for
childcare or elder care expenses. I have a 403B, which is the
non-profit version of a 401K. Plus, my employer donates 15% of
whatever I make into a separate retirement fund. I forgot to
mention in the previous survey that I get 4 weeks of paid
vacation every year, along with several paid holidays, and two
personal holidays. I also can take another week off to volunteer
my time at a non-profit of my choice and my salary is paid
during that week. I have gone to Seattle, New York City, and
Belize to volunteer.
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Advice to Jobseekers
The job outlook is good. Businesses always need meetings. A lot
of women are getting involved in this field, and I think they
are better suited for it. The pay is more equitable. At the same
time, the field is becoming a lot more professional. A lot more
people are entering the field from college or some form of
training. My suggesion to the newcomer is to try out a lot of
different positions and go to school at the same time. Volunteer
for events, such as benefits, and get in on the planning as wll
as the logistics. Learn to type and how to use a computer, Learn
to surf the web. These are essentials. Build up your resume as
you go. Just keep knocking on doors till they let you in.
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