Meeting Planner Careers

Meeting and convention planners need many skills to function effectively in a very hands-on professional career. Many have bachelor degrees in meeting management. However, the biggest part of training is on the job learning from a seasoned planner. Nevertheless, there are additional skills that can open doors for a meeting planner.

Mastering a second or third language is always a wise investment for a meeting planner. This often includes building a knowledge base about the customs and geography of targeted countries. Communication is a core skill for meeting planners; knowing a second language builds confidence, increases client base, and demonstrates your ability to go the extra mile.

What software does the company use? Can you just get by or are you competent with the software? Company software should be second nature to a meeting planner; after all, it is a vital tool of the trade. Take some extra classes and earn the rank of expert. Hone your Internet skills; the World Wide Web is constantly growing and changing, adapt right along with it.

Keep current with technology. Cell phones, PDA’s, net books, and hand-held GPS systems are tools every meeting planner needs to use confidently and competently. Combine these tools with social networking skills and you will be at the head of the meeting planner class.

If you are now entering the field of event planning, you may feel like you are barging in at the worst possible time. The government and public are both highly critical of the meetings industry, some of the companies that got bailouts also got in trouble for meetings (and incentives), and companies are very wary about going forward with anything that looks like an extravagance.

However, you may have come at the best time for your long-term future. See, companies and business people of all kinds were becoming just a little complacent. What you are seeing now are businesses ramping up sales techniques, motivating teams as best they can, and changing the way they do business.

This will benefit you because you will have to learn straightaway what it is to be lean and mean. You will learn how to keep costs down right now because you won’t have the chance to spend too much money on sticky notes and paper clips. You are not going to have the chance to say, “Oh my, here comes the recessions–I’d better tighten my belt.” Yours will start out cinched. Read more…