Every meeting, convention, and event is a complex affair with multiple details that must be managed. Whether the event in question is a business conference, a wedding, an art exhibit, a concert, a banquet, or a book signing, the planning stages may take weeks or even months depending on the number of people attending and the elaborateness of the venue and activities. To make sure the event runs smoothly, a planner is tasked with coordinating each step of the process from beginning to end. Before the event takes place, they will meet with the client to confirm basic details such as dates, times, locations, budgets, and the size of the audience. The planner then books and coordinates venues, service providers, transportation, accommodations, and other critical elements. The planner usually monitors the event to make sure the client is satisfied, and audits bills and invoices from the various providers afterward.
The U.S. Department of Labor projects a huge demand for meeting, convention, and event planners in the near future, with the employment rate skyrocketing 33% between 2012 and 2022. Companies with offices spread throughout the country—and sometimes throughout the world—will still recognize the value of face-to-face communication at meetings and conferences. Non-profit organizations will need planners to coordinate their various charity events, and government agencies will seek out planners familiar with state and federal regulations to help organize their meetings. Combined with the enormous amount of events related to art, literature, music, and the theatre, the opportunities for meeting, convention, and event planners should remain plentiful for years to come.
