Conference and Event Planners
(NOC 1226)
in All Business, Finance, and AdministrationConference and event planners plan, organize, and coordinate conferences, conventions, meetings, seminars, exhibitions, trade shows, festivals and other events. They work for tourism associations, trade and professional associations, convention and conference centres, governments and by conference and event planning companies, or they may be self-employed.
Job Outlook
Average
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Compared to: All Business, Finance, and Administration
The employment outlook over the next few years for this occupational group is “average”, which indicates the chances of a qualified individual finding work is comparable to the average for all occupations in Nova Scotia. This is a moderate sized occupation in Nova Scotia so some job opportunities may occur through turnover. The number employed in this occupation is expected to decline slightly over the next few years, which may affect the number of new opportunities available. With a moderate percent of workers being 55 years of age and older, retirements are expected to contribute somewhat to employment opportunities over the coming years. Conference and Event Planners most commonly work full-time hours.
The median employment income for 46% of Conference and Event Planners who worked full-time, year-round in 2015 was $48,674. Across all occupations in Nova Scotia, 59% of those who worked full-time year round had a median employment income of $43,600.
(Source: 2016 Census)
Hourly Pay
$12.95
Minimum$21.00
Median$29.12
MaximumAnnual Pay
$3,585
Minimum$27,286
Median$67,455
MaximumCompared to: All Business, Finance, and Administration
Hourly Pay
$14.00
Minimum$27.85
Median$38.46
MaximumAnnual Pay
$6,754
Minimum$36,515
Median$70,271
MaximumAbout the job
Nature of work
Conference and event planners plan, organize, and coordinate conferences, conventions, meetings, seminars, exhibitions, trade shows, festivals and other events. They work for tourism associations, trade and professional associations, convention and conference centres, governments and by conference and event planning companies, or they may be self-employed.
Job duties
Conference and event planners:
- Meet with trade and professional associations and other groups to promote and discuss conference, convention and trade show services.
- 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.
- Coordinate services for events like accommodation and transportation for participants, conference and other facilities, catering, signage, displays, translation, special needs requirements, audio-visual equipment, printing and security.
- Organize registration of participants, prepare programs and promotional material, and publicize events.
- Plan entertainment and social gatherings for participants.
- Hire, train and supervise support staff needed for events.
- Make sure required by-laws are met.
- Negotiate contracts for services, approve suppliers' invoices, maintain financial records, review final billing submitted to clients for events and prepare reports.
Sample job titles
- conference organizer
- conference planner
- convention and special events planner
- event coordinator
- event planner
- festival organizer
- meeting planner
- trade show organizer
Skills
You need excellent communication, organizational, and negotiation skills. You must have initiative and be willing to accept new ideas and take risks. The ability to analyze detailed information accurately and quickly is necessary to make decisions.
Job requirements
- A university degree or college diploma in business, tourism or hospitality administration is usually required.
- Certification relating to special events, meetings or conference management may be required.
Other considerations
Several years of experience in hospitality or tourism administration or in public relations are usually required and may substitute for formal education requirements.
By the numbers
Quick look
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Compared to: All Business, Finance, and Administration
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Where will I likely work?
Halifax
North Shore
Cape Breton
Annapolis Valley
Southern
Compared to: All NS Occupations
Halifax
North Shore
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Top Industries of Employment
Other services (except public administration)
Arts, entertainment and recreation
Educational services
Accommodation and food services
Professional, scientific and technical services
What is the age of Employment?
25-34
15-24
45-54
35-44
55-64
65+
Compared to: All Business, Finance, and Administration
45-54
55-64
35-44
25-34
65+
Top levels of education
Bachelor
$35,173 median annual incomeHigh school
$14,123 median annual incomeCollege Diploma
$46,420 median annual incomeApprenticeship
$16,578 median annual incomeMaster
N/ACompared to: All Business, Finance, and Administration
College Diploma
$36,304 median annual incomeHigh school
$32,903 median annual incomeBachelor
$41,755 median annual incomeApprenticeship
$34,807 median annual incomeLess than high school
$23,174 median annual incomeEducation & training
Business Administration and Management
College, Trades, or University ProgramThese programs prepare students to plan, organize, direct, and control the functions and processes of a firm or organization. They include courses in management theory, human resources management and behaviour, accounting and other quantitative methods, purchasing and logistics, organization and production, marketing, and business decision-making.
Institutions providing this program
Lower Sackville, NS
Halifax, NS
Wolfville, NS
Sydney, NS
Truro, NS
Stellarton, NS
Port Hawkesbury, NS
Hospitality Administration/Management
College or University ProgramThese programs prepare students to serve as general managers and directors of hospitality operations on a system-wide basis, including both travel arrangements and promotion and the provision of traveller facilities. These include courses in principles of operations in the travel and tourism, hotel and lodging facilities, food services, and recreation facilities industries, hospitality marketing strategies, hospitality planning, management and coordination of franchise and unit operations, business management, accounting and financial management, hospitality transportation and logistics, and hospitality industry policies and regulations.
Institutions providing this program
Sydney, NS
Meeting and Event Planning
College or Trades ProgramThese programs prepare students to plan, budget, and implement conferences, meetings, and other special events in the public or private sectors. They include courses in principles of meeting and event planning, special event management, budgets and finance, site selection, contracts, vendors, and negotiations, marketing and promotions, food and beverage management, audio-visual basics and meeting technology, and hospitality law.
Institutions providing this program
Tourism and Travel Services Management
College or University ProgramThese programs prepare students to manage travel-related enterprises and related convention and/or tour services. They include courses in travel agency management, tour arranging and planning, convention and event planning, travel industry operations and procedures, tourism marketing and promotion strategies, travel counselling, travel industry law, international and domestic operations, and travel and tourism policy.
Institutions providing this program
Sydney, NS
Employment requirements & contacts
No regulating bodies were found under this occupation profile
Contacts
Additional resources
There are no additional resources for this occupation.