Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners in Illinois
Thinking about a career as a Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners in Illinois? Here’s what the data says. Coordinate activities of staff, convention personnel, or clients to make arrangements for group meetings, events, or conventions.
What do Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners Make in Illinois?
For meeting, convention, and event planners working in Illinois, wages run about $59,860 per year (or roughly $28.78/hour).Annual wages span from $36,560 at the 10th percentile to $89,070 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $36,560 | $17.58 |
| 25th percentile | $48,050 | $23.10 |
| Median (50th) | $59,860 | $28.78 |
| 75th percentile | $73,110 | $35.15 |
| 90th percentile | $89,070 | $42.82 |
The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in Illinois nationwide is 0.84, indicating fewer meeting, convention, and event planners per worker than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, meeting, convention, and event planners earn a median of $64,460 per year ($30.99/hour), lower than the Illinois median.
Employment Outlook
There are roughly 372,451 meeting, convention, and event planners across the United States. In Illinois alone, about 4,470 people work in this role. That’s more than the typical state, which employs around 1,740 meeting, convention, and event planners.
Top Illinois Metros for Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners
The largest metro-area employers of meeting, convention, and event planners in Illinois.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 3,590 | $62,050 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | 80 | $59,540 |
| Bloomington, IL | 70 | $57,830 |
| Peoria, IL | 70 | $51,270 |
| Springfield, IL | 70 | $50,950 |
| Rockford, IL | 60 | $49,700 |
Top States for Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners Employment
View the states that employ the most meeting, convention, and event planners work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 17,800 |
| New York | 11,720 |
| Florida | 9,670 |
| Texas | 9,510 |
| Ohio | 5,030 |
| Colorado | 4,590 |
| Virginia | 4,490 |
| Illinois | 4,470 |
| North Carolina | 4,450 |
| Georgia | 4,370 |
| Massachusetts | 4,100 |
| Pennsylvania | 4,040 |
| Washington | 3,720 |
| Michigan | 3,640 |
| Arizona | 2,870 |
| Maryland | 2,860 |
| Tennessee | 2,630 |
| Wisconsin | 2,440 |
| District of Columbia | 2,400 |
| New Jersey | 2,360 |
Highest-Paying States for Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners
These states pay the most for meeting, convention, and event planners.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Maine | $127,160 |
| New York | $73,230 |
| Massachusetts | $72,840 |
| District of Columbia | $72,010 |
| Hawaii | $67,660 |
| California | $66,990 |
| Washington | $66,070 |
| New Jersey | $64,730 |
| Connecticut | $64,230 |
| Colorado | $62,290 |
Skills
Key meeting, convention, and event planners skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Core knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
The abilities that matter most for meeting, convention, and event planners, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners typically:
- Consult with customers to determine objectives and requirements for events, such as meetings, conferences, and conventions.
- Review event bills for accuracy and approve payment.
- Coordinate services for events, such as accommodation and transportation for participants, facilities, catering, signage, displays, special needs requirements, printing and event security.
- Arrange the availability of audio-visual equipment, transportation, displays, and other event needs.
- Confer with staff at a chosen event site to coordinate details.
- Inspect event facilities to ensure that they conform to customer requirements.
- Maintain records of event aspects, including financial details.
- Monitor event activities to ensure compliance with applicable regulations and laws, satisfaction of participants, and resolution of any problems that arise.
- Negotiate contracts with such service providers and suppliers as hotels, convention centers, and speakers.
- Evaluate and select providers of services according to customer requirements.
- Plan and develop programs, agendas, budgets, and services according to customer requirements.
- Hire, train, and supervise volunteers and support staff required for events.
Work Activities
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Communicating with People Outside the Organization
- Working with Computers
- Scheduling Work and Activities
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
- Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others
- Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
- Getting Information
- Developing and Building Teams
Tools & Technology
Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: Adobe Creative Cloud software, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop In-demand technologies: Microsoft Excel
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Several college majors map to this occupation:
- Hospitality Management
- Housing
Featured schools near , edit
Related Careers
Related occupations to meeting, convention, and event planners include:
- Social and Community Service Managers
- Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes
- Logisticians
- Project Management Specialists
- Management Analysts
- Fundraisers
Also Known As
Catering Coordinator, Catering Director, Catering and Convention Services Manager, Certified Meeting Professional, Conference Manager, Conference Organizer, Conference Planner, Conference Planning Manager, Conference Producer, Conference Reservationist, Conference Service Coordinator, Conference Services Director, Conference Services Manager, Convention Manager, Convention Planner.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 13-1121.00
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