Meeting Planner Careers

Conferences, conventions, trade shows and expositions bring the equivalent of a small town together to work behind the scenes. Somewhat like the traveling productions of Broadway shows, these events are limited in duration, the act can’t be repeated, and lighting, the orchestra, and the ticket-takers must know their business! Similarly, there are a host of professionals working behind your event.

For conferences providing space for exhibitors, there are decorators to set up displays and labor to tear them down, electricians. utilities like A/V, telecommunications and plumbing, florists, photographers, bartenders, and entertainment.

Most associations who put on a trade show use a show management company http://www.conventions.net who have vetted the services included in the show packet for their event planners and/or exhibitors. In a venue like McCormick Place in Chicago, for example, utilities like electrical, telecommunications, and plumbing are provided exclusively by the center, but a separate show management firm will select outside contractors to provide room set up, flowers, photography, entertainment, and an array of other services.

Any way you slice it, literally hundreds of people are employed behind the scenes at these events. Consider that the Official Star Trek Convention attracts over 15,000 attendees annually. That’s a lot of support services!

Next, we will place you, the meeting planner in the center of a big “village.”

Spring opens the door to the busiest time of the year for wedding planners. The following 3 qualities can make you a sought after wedding planner: be a good listener, be organized, and be kind.

The best wedding planner is a skilled listener. Sit quietly; take notes, allow the couple to express their dream wedding in detail. You may have to pull one or both of them back to earth, but for the moment, be willing to listen to plans for a clown themed wedding, a Bride of Chuckie theme wedding, or a Star Trek wedding event.

Organizational skills are essential for any event planning. Organization is literally the life’s blood of a wedding planner. Every detail is put down on paper, including a back-up plan for the inevitable glitches. If the people around you are losing their minds, but you are calm and organized, chances are you are a wedding planner.

A little kindness goes a long way toward smoothing out difficulties. Accidents happen, delivery trucks break down, things just happen. Even if or especially if someone is in the wrong, be kind. She will be more willing to help make things right if she doesn’t feel cornered. Kindness is the mark of a professional.