10 HIGH PAID EVENT PLANNING JOBS


Have you ever attended a party, meeting or community event that really blew your socks off? If so, you can thank one very specific person (or team of people) for putting it all together: the event planner. If planning everything, down to the flower arrangements in the bathroom and the font used on the thank you cards, is something you may be interested in, you should consider looking at event planning jobs.

What Is an Event Planner?

There are a number of event planning jobs out there, and what they are looking for in their ideal candidate often varies. In order to figure out what job is right for you, it is important to understand what event planning really is. Event planning is the process of managing a project such as a meeting, convention or party. Depending on the event, you will be responsible for some or all of the following:

  • Budgeting
  • Establishing timelines
  • Selecting and reserving event sites
  • Acquiring permits
  • Planning the food
  • Coordinating transportation
  • Developing a theme
  • Arranging activities
  • Selecting speakers and keynotes
  • Arranging equipment rentals
  • Developing contingency plans

Basically, event planners create an event and manage it from start to finish.

For a more specific definition of the job, the US Department of Labor states that “Event Planning consists of coordinating every detail of meetings and conventions, from the speakers and meeting location to arranging for printed materials and audio-visual equipment. Event planning begins with determining the objective that the sponsoring organization wants to achieve. Planners choose speakers, entertainment, and content, and arrange the program to present the organization’s information in the most effective way. Meeting planners are responsible for selecting meeting sites, prospective attendees and how to get them to the meeting.”

Those currently in the industry have very different opinions of their chosen profession. While the optimists view event planning as being the choreographers of people and activities to create memories to last a lifetime, those on the more negative side can see it as a stressful and demanding career choice.  

Job Duties & Responsibilities

As we discussed before, there are a number of different types of event planning jobs, so the list of duties and responsibilities can vary significantly. For the most part, there is a standard list of duties that every event planner will have to do.

Travel

Travel is a large part of event planning, especially if you are not working in a major US city. Many event planning jobs require you to travel to luxurious hotels and interesting new places. This also means that you will be away from your friends and families, often working over the weekend.

Non-Traditional Hours

How many events have you been to that took place during normal business hours? Not many. Because of this, event planning jobs often require you to be available nights and weekends. In addition, events take a good amount of time to plan and set up. Many event planners work more than 40 hours a week. This is often balanced out when they have periods of time that are less busy.

Multi-Tasking

Being able to multi-task is a key to the success of an event planner. At any time, there are a number of things going on at a single event. In order to ensure the event runs smoothly, you will often have to be in two places at once.

Meeting Deadlines

Events have set dates and times. Your company meeting does not start at 9ish, someday next week. It starts exactly at 8:30 am on Tuesday. Because of that, event planners are constantly working toward a deadline.

Physical Activity

Event planners are not just telling people what to do, they are in the middle of it all. This means, if you are looking into event planning jobs, be prepared that you will be in for long hours of standing and carrying boxes of heavy materials around event spaces.

Communication Skills

This one is pretty obvious but deserves to be stated. Working as an event planner requires you to work and communicate with a lot of people. Not only do you have your clients to answer to, but you must deal with the owners and operators of the venue and the services you have hired. Being able to problem solve and communicate well with a diverse group of people is key.

Ensure Legal Compliance

In addition to creating a party to remember, event planners must also make sure they are complying with the law. Having a party in a park? You’ll need a permit. Planning a soiree? You’ll have to make sure the number of guests you invite meets the fire code. Your client wants a fire dancer to show up at their birthday party? You’ll have to make sure the venue has insurance for that. These are just a few examples of the legal obstacles you will need to manage and comply with.

Coordinate with Other Departments

While some event planning jobs will have you working for a single person, most clients are actually businesses. If you are planning a launch party for a sneaker company’s newest release, you will have to deal with your PR team, designers, and more. Understanding how to work with department heads and understanding when you pick your battles will help you go far.

10 High Paid Event Planning Jobs

Event planning jobs can range in salary from minimum wage to close to six figures.

The reported average annual wage for a meeting, convention, or event planners was $47,350 in 2016. The lowest 10 percent of jobs on the marker made just $25,670 while the best-paid 10 percent made $83,030.

The highest paid event planning jobs are in San Francisco ($70,390), Bridgeport ($70,070), Connecticut ($68,740), and Newark, New Jersey ($68,740). New York City ($68,000) and Dallas ($67,640) also made the list.

If you are looking at states as a whole instead of specific cities, the highest average salaries for event planning jobs were found in the District of Columbia ($69,910), New York ($64,370), Connecticut ($62,270), New Jersey ($61,830), and Massachusetts ($60,340).

Event planning jobs have different titles depending on what industry they are in.

Corporate Event Planning Jobs

Large companies and corporations often have more than one event planning job on the payroll. They need planners for product launches, employee training, conventions, trade shows, and the run-of-the-mill marketing event.  

Event planners can go by a lot of different titles in the cooperate world. Some of the most common include:

  • Meeting Planner
  • Activities and Events Planner
  • Meeting and Event Planner
  • Event Operations Manager
  • Conference Planner
  • Association Event Planner
  • Event Planner or Event Analyst
  • Exhibition Coordinator
  • Special Events Planner
  • Convention Planner
  • Legal Marketing and Events Planner
  • Senior Event Planner
  • Field Events Manager
  • Event Coordinator
  • Retail Events Representative
  • Marketing Coordinator
  • Student Event Planner for Trade Show Promotions

Nonprofit Event Planning Jobs

Unless the nonprofit is large, there is typically only room in the budget for a few event planners. They handle fundraising activities, sponsorship recruitment, volunteer coordination, and general event management.

Common event planning job titles in the nonprofit sector include:

  • Program Manager
  • Program Supervisor
  • Program Coordinator
  • Executive Assistant
  • Community Relations Manager
  • Development Director
  • Sponsorship Coordinator
  • Communications Assistant
  • Development Specialist
  • Community Market Manager
  • Fund Development Coordinator
  • Donor Relations
  • Volunteer Coordinator
  • Volunteer Services Specialist
  • Event Coordinator
  • Campaign and Event Coordinator

Hotel and Restaurant Event Planning Jobs

Hotels and restaurants typically have only one event planner on staff. They wear a number of hats as they have to cater to both large events, such as weddings, and smaller cooperate meetings.

Common event planning jobs in the hotel and restaurant industry include:

  • Catering Sales Manager
  • Hotel Catering Sales Manager
  • Cleaning Crew
  • Host
  • Convention and Catering Operations Manager
  • Catering Services Manager
  • Bartender
  • Banquet Servers
  • Catering Manager
  • Restaurant and Catering Operations Manager
  • Catering and Convention Services Manager
  • Social Catering Manager
  • Assistant Catering Director
  • Director of Special Events
  • Catering and Special Events Manager

Tourism and Resort Event Planning Jobs

Event planners in this space can work in a wide range of offices ranging from exclusive resorts to cruise ships and exotic tours. Because entertainment is at the heart of these businesses, they often employ a few event planners so that multiple events can be managed at any given time.

Common event planning jobs in the tourist industry include:

  • International Tourism Sales Manager
  • Tourism Promotion Manager
  • Project Coordinator, Chamber of Commerce
  • Communications Specialist, Chamber of Commerce
  • Public Relations Specialist, Chamber of Commerce
  • Parks Volunteer Coordinator
  • Amusement Park Marketing Coordinator
  • Assistant Resort Manager
  • Resorts Operations Manager
  • Resort Promotions and Marketing
  • Resort Marketing Coordinator
  • Tour Receptionist
  • Concierge
  • Resort Recreations Manager
  • Resort Activities Director
  • Festival Coordinator

Sports Team Event Planning Jobs

Every major sports team requires an event planner. They are responsible for game day operations, facilities management and the parties that are thrown after a win.

Common event planning jobs in the sports industry include:

  • Field Sports Manager
  • Tournament Director
  • Assistant Campus Operations Manager
  • Director of Event Marketing
  • Senior Special Events Coordinator
  • Event Project Manager
  • Game Day Staff
  • Operations Supervisor
  • Event Manager
  • Site Development and Programming
  • Director of Event Services
  • Sponsorship Coordinator

Highest Paying Jobs

Of the jobs listed above, the highest paying jobs are:

  • Senior Cooperate Event Planner
  • Senior Special Events Sports Coordinator
  • International Tourism Sales Manager
  • Restaurant and Catering Operations Manager
  • Nonprofit Community Market Manager
  • Corporate Conference Manager
  • Event Project Manager
  • Corporate Field Events Manager
  • Sports Sponsorship Coordinator
  • Public Relations Specialist

Conclusion

Event planning jobs can be in a variety of industries and go by a multitude of names. Understanding what leads to a successful planner can help ensure you can land a high-paying job in the industry of your choice.

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