Conference and Event Planners (NOC 1226)

What They Do Conference and event planners perform some or all of the following duties: 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 Co-ordinate services for events, such as 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 required for events Ensure compliance with required by-laws Negotiate contracts for services, approve suppliers' invoices, maintain financial records, review final billing submitted to clients for events and prepare reports.

Where They Find Work —    Top Occupational Areas Arts entertainment and recreation 18% Other services (except public administration) 15% Administrative and support waste management and remediation services 13% Public administration 11% Educational services 7% Accommodation and food services 6% Health care and social assistance 4% The unionization rate (20%) is below the average (32%) for all occupations. The highest concentrations (per 10,000 people) of Conference and Event Planners are found in British Columbia and Ontario while the lowest concentrations are in New Brunswick and Saskatchewan.

Related Occupation(s) Executive Assistants (NOC 1222) Administrative Officers (NOC 1221)

Something to Think About

Use the "Where They Find Work" graph to target your worksearch. It may be easier to get into industries with the most people in this field. Want to work in an industry that hires fewer workers in this field? To be more marketable, check out whether you have the most up-to-date knowledge and technology skills for that industry. Check the provincial/territorial or local information (http://www.labourmarketinformation.ca) for opportunities in your area.

What You Need A university degree or college diploma in business, tourism or hospitality administration is usually required. Several years of experience in hospitality or tourism administration or in public relations are usually required and may substitute for formal education requirements. Certification relating to special events, meetings or conference management may be required. Many recent entrants have an undergraduate university degree, and almost 3 in 10 have a community college diploma.

Required/Related    Educational Programs* This will let you explore the program(s) of study that lead to this (these) occupation(s). Mass Communications (C410) Sports and Recreation (C893) Commerce - Business Administration (M120) Commerce - Business Administration (U120) Mass Communications (U410) *  These educational programs are listed in the order in which they are most likely to supply graduates to this occupation.

Useful Experience/Skills Leadership Computer literacy Team work Supervisory experience		Useful High School Subjects Business English
Depending on your background, this Education, Training, and Experience info will help you to: Choose your high school courses Plan your post-secondary program Choose relevant volunteer work Decide what new skills to learn Read job ads, professional journals, and newspapers for what the industry needs and employers want. Talk to employers and employees to find out the exceptional skills and knowledge that will help you land a job.

Current Conditions Your work prospects are rated FAIR because: Employement grew at an above-average rate. The retirement rate is above average, and the number of retiring workers contributes to job openings. Hourly wages ($17.50) are close to the average ($18.07), and the rate of the wage growth is below average. The unemployment rate (4%) is close to the 2004 average (7%).

Work Prospects Current   Fair   2009   Fair

Outlook to 2009 Your work prospects will continue to be FAIR because: The employment growth rate will likely be close to the average. The retirement rate will likely be above average and the number of retiring workers should contribute to job openings. The number of job seekers will likely match the number of job openings.

If you are beginning your career investigation, national outlooks will give you a good overview of trends. Ready to explore an occupation in more detail? Check provincial/territorial or local outlooks (http://www.labourmarketinformation.ca).

What you can expect to make (Average Hourly Earnings ($/hour))
Age Group This Occupation All Occupations 20-24 $12.29 $11.74 25-54 $18.33 $19.76 55+ $20.15 $19.59 Overall Average for Ages (20+) This Occupation All Occupations $17.50 $18.07		Hourly wages ($17.50) are close to the national average ($18.07). These earnings are close to the average for occupations in the business, finance and administration sector and are close to average for all technical, professional, and skilled occupations. These wages grew at a below-average rate from 2002 to 2004.
Your salary can be affected by your background, the company's size and benefits, and the region and setting (urban or rural). Check out salaries in your own region by seeking info from: Employees/unions/associations Employers/human resource people Training institutions and placement services Company websites Professional/trade journals

Close to the average
The unemployment rate (4%) is close to the 2004 average (7%). This rate is close to the average for technical, professional, and skilled occupations. A low unemployment rate often means less competition for the jobs available. But you still need to have the required training and experience. A high unemployment rate doesn't necessarily mean you'll have great difficulty getting hired. But it can mean a fluctuating demand for workers, and you may experience bouts of unemployment.		Year This Occupation All Occupations 1991 9% 10% 1992 7% 11% 1993 18% 11% 1994 4% 10% 1995 8% 10% 1996 8% 10% 1997 10% 9% 1998 9% 8% 1999 5% 8% 2000 1% 7% 2001 5% 7% 2002 9% 8% 2003 8% 8% 2004 4% 7%

% of part-time work is about the same as average
This Occupation All Occupations Full-time 86% 81% Part-time 14% 19%		There were 15,900 workers employed in these occupations in 2004, an increase of 231% since 1997. The percentage of part-time workers is 14% compared to the 2004 average (19%) and has risen significantly since 1997.
When full-time work is difficult to find, look at alternatives such as contract work, consulting, shared positions, and telework.

Average
The percentage of self-employed workers is 17% compared to the 2004 average of 15% and has risen since 1997.		This Occupation All Occupations Self-Employed 17% 15%
Does this occupation have an above-average rate of self-employment? Consider being your own boss if you can't find work with an employer.

Age Group This Occupation All Occupations 20-24 10% 10% 25-54 77% 72% 55+ 12% 12%		The retirement rate to 2009 will likely be above average because of a tendency to retire at an earlier-than-average age (60).
Look at the youngest group. A low percentage means fewer openings for brand-new workers. A high percentage means more openings for brand-new workers. Look at the oldest age group. A high percentage means positions could open up from retirements. This could be significant for both mid-career changers and brand-new workers.

Above average
The percentage of women (86%) is above the 2004 average of 48% and has risen significantly since 1997.		This Occupation All Occupations Percent Women 86% 48%

This page last modified on: 2007-03-31