Meeting and convention planner
Encyclopedia
A meeting and convention planner supervises and coordinates the strategic, operational and logistical activities necessary for the production of events
. The planner can be employed or hired ad hoc by corporation
s, association
s, government
s, and other organizations.
Convention (meeting)
A convention, in the sense of a meeting, is a gathering of individuals who meet at an arranged place and time in order to discuss or engage in some common interest. The most common conventions are based upon industry, profession, and fandom...
. The planner can be employed or hired ad hoc by corporation
Corporation
A corporation is created under the laws of a state as a separate legal entity that has privileges and liabilities that are distinct from those of its members. There are many different forms of corporations, most of which are used to conduct business. Early corporations were established by charter...
s, association
Voluntary association
A voluntary association or union is a group of individuals who enter into an agreement as volunteers to form a body to accomplish a purpose.Strictly speaking, in many jurisdictions no formalities are necessary to start an association...
s, government
Government
Government refers to the legislators, administrators, and arbitrators in the administrative bureaucracy who control a state at a given time, and to the system of government by which they are organized...
s, and other organizations.
Standardization issues
- Although the Occupational Information Network (O*NET), sponsored by the United States Department of LaborUnited States Department of LaborThe United States Department of Labor is a Cabinet department of the United States government responsible for occupational safety, wage and hour standards, unemployment insurance benefits, re-employment services, and some economic statistics. Many U.S. states also have such departments. The...
and Employment and Training AdministrationEmployment and Training AdministrationThe mission of the Employment and Training Administration , as part of the U.S. Department of Labor, is to contribute to the more efficient and effective functioning of the U.S. labor market by providing high quality job training, employment, labor market information, and income maintenance...
, identified this occupation as "meeting and convention planner," other titles are more commonly used. These titles include event planner, meeting planner, and meeting manager. In addition, a number of other titles specific to the categories of events produced are used, such as corporate planner and party planner
- The banquet event order (BEO), a standard form used in the hospitality industryHospitality industryThe hospitality industry consists of broad category of fields within the service industry that includes lodging, restaurants, event planning, theme parks, transportation, cruise line, and additional fields within the tourism industry. The hospitality industry is a several billion dollar industry...
to document the requirements of an event as pertinent to the venue, has presented numerous problems to meeting and convention planners due to the increasing complexity and scope of modern events. In response, Convention Industry CouncilConvention Industry CouncilThe Convention Industry Council is a non-profit federation of leading U.S. and international organizations involved in the meetings, conventions and exhibitions industry...
developed the event specifications guide (ESG) that is currently replacing the BEO.
- Additionally, the Convention Industry Council is spearheading The Accepted Practices Exchange (APEX). By bringing planners and suppliers together to create industry-wide accepted practices and a common terminology, the profession continues to enhance the professionalism of the meetings, conventions and exhibitions industry.
Programs
| Certification | Acronym | Issuing Organization |
|---|---|---|
| Certified Association Executive Certified Association Executive Certified Association Executive is a professional certification sponsored by the American Society of Association Executives and the Canadian Society of Association Executives... |
CAE | American Society of Association Executives |
| Certified Destination Management Executive | CDME | International Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus |
| Certified in Exhibition Management | CEM | International Association for Exhibition Management |
| Certified Event Rental Professional | CERP | American Rental Association |
| Certified Festival Executive | CFE | International Festivals and Events Association |
| Certified Hospitality Marketing Executive | CHME | Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International |
| Certified Incentive Travel Executive | CITE | Society of Incentive and Travel Executives |
| Certified Meeting Professional | CMP | Convention Industry Council |
| Global Certification in Meeting Management | CMM | Meeting Professionals International Meeting Professionals International Meeting Professionals International is a professional community for the global meetings industry. Founded in 1972, the Dallas-based non-profit association has 68 chapters and clubs, over 24,000 members from 69 chapters in 20 countries around the world... |
| Certified Professional Catering Executive | CPCE | National Association of Catering Executives |
| Certified Special Events Professional | CSEP | International Special Events Society |
| Destination Management Certified Professional | DMCP | Association of Destination Management Executives |
| Professional Bridal Consultant | PBC | Association of Bridal Consultants |
See also
- Meeting Professionals InternationalMeeting Professionals InternationalMeeting Professionals International is a professional community for the global meetings industry. Founded in 1972, the Dallas-based non-profit association has 68 chapters and clubs, over 24,000 members from 69 chapters in 20 countries around the world...
- Professional Congress OrganiserProfessional Congress OrganiserA professional conference organiser or professional congress organiser is a company which specialises in the organisation and management of congresses, conferences, seminars and similar events.-Role of PCOs:...
- Event planningEvent planningEvent planning is the process of planning a festival, ceremony, competition, party, or convention. Event planning includes budgeting, establishing dates and alternate dates, selecting and reserving the event site, acquiring permits, and coordinating transportation and parking...
- Event Planning and Production
External links
- Resources for the Meetings, Conventions & Exhibitions Industry (Source: Convention Industry Council)