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Meeting Planner Jobs

In and around Nashville there are a lot of events, get-togethers and happenings. If you like coordinating these kind of events and activities there is a job for you. That is exactly what meeting and convention planners do everyday. They bring people together for a specific purpose and make sure it is done so seamlessly.

 Planners coordinate every detail of events, from speakers and locations to arranging for printed materials and audio-visual equipment.

 The first thing a planner does is to determine the purpose for the meeting of a sponsoring organization. Planners may even perform surveys to find out how best to organize everything to meet the sponsor’s or its member’s goals. With this information a planner can plan the event.

 A big part of the job is searching for the best site. This can include hotels, convention centers or something all together different.

 Requests for proposals are sent out to facilities which have the meeting dates along with the events special needs. These will typically include exhibit space, rooms for quests, food, telecommunication, audio-visual requirements, transportation, etc. Facilities respond with their available space, services and prices. Proposals are evaluated and a site is selected.

 After the site is picked, planners begin arranging support services coordinating with the selected facility and sponsoring organization.

 Working with logistics is next. Subjects include labor, materials and communication. Necessary supplies are ordered - to be available on time. Necessary printing is performed.

 Making sure the right seating is arranged for the right rooms with the proper equipment is important.

 Planning requires financial management expertise. There is negotiation of contracts with suppliers and facilities. Management of a budget for an event can be quite detailed. In some instances, the event is expected to make a profit and return on investment must be calculated.

 Meeting planners must be able to work in a fast paced environment. They must be able to oversee multiple operations easily, meet numerous deadlines and orchestrate many different groups of people.

 Travel can be a significant part of the routine. The extent of the travel depends on the type of organization the planner works. Travel can be regional, national or international.

 Working hours can be a regular work week or extremely long hours, especially during an event. Weekends are often included.

 Physical activity can be required. It can include lots of walking, standing, carrying of materials or exhibits.

 The occupation does not require a college degree. However, many employers prefer their planners have one. Common undergraduate majors are marketing, public relations, business and hotel management. A few colleges offer degrees in the field.

 The Convention Industry Council offers the Certified Meeting Professional, a voluntary certification for meeting planners. Having certification can help in career advancement.

 The occupation requires excellent written, verbal and interpersonal skills. Both quantitative analytical abilities are needed. Good computer skills are also necessary.

 New planners usually begin by performing limited duties under the supervision of senior employees. They may be involved in registration, review of contracts, creating schedules or developing information for print. Next may be small meeting arrangements and eventually large meetings.

 According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the annual earning for this occupation is over $40,000. More experienced planners earn more than $70,000.

 Meeting and conventions tend to be cyclical depending on the economy and industry. Right now they are booming.

 So, if you are in to making big-time arrangements for organizations, take a look into becoming a meeting planner.