Synonyms: Event Planner, Meeting Coordinator

Table of Contents

• Quick Facts
• Day in the Life
• Common Characteristics
• How to Become an Event Coordinator
• Career Path
• Specialties and Similar Career Paths
• Advice from KateAnne

Quick Facts

What event coordinators do:

Event coordinators plan, organize, and execute events, ranging from corporate conferences to weddings and festivals. They manage all logistical aspects, including scheduling, budgeting, vendor management, and ensuring everything runs smoothly on the event day.

Median income:

$56,920 annually or $27.36 per hour.

Lifestyle:

Event coordinators often work irregular hours, especially as the event dates approach. This may include evenings and weekends to meet with clients or supervise events. The job can involve high levels of activity, including travel to venues.

Education Requirements:

A bachelor’s degree is typically required but is open to any major.

Job Outlook

The future for event coordinators is bright, with a projected growth rate of 7%, which is faster than the average for all occupations.

This is perfect for you if:

• You can manage to work in a fast-paced environment
• You love organizing details
• You love interacting with people
• You enjoy seeing your plans come to life

If that sounds like you, definitely watch our interview with Kate Anne Dussling to learn more about being an event coordinator here!

Day in the Life

Schedule:

Event coordinators work irregular hours, often extending into evenings and weekends, depending on the event schedule.

Setting:

Works in office settings, at event venues, and from home. Travel to event locations is common to meet clients or coordinate logistics.

Tasks:

Meet with clients to understand event requirements, create budgets, coordinate with vendors and venues, manage logistics, oversee event setup and execution, and handle any issues that arise during the event.

Topics:

Event planning, budgeting, client communication, vendor negotiation, logistics, time management, risk assessment, venue selection, contract management, and post-event evaluation.

Skills:

Strong organizational skills, effective communication, problem-solving abilities, negotiation, attention to detail, time management, and multitasking.

Tools:

Laptop or computer with access to event management software (Cvent, Eventbrite), spreadsheets for budgeting, project management tools (Trello, Asana), scheduling software, and online communication tools.

Common Characteristics

Natural Talents (strengths):

Strong communication and interpersonal skills, adaptability, and the ability to stay calm under pressure.

Interests:

Enjoys organizing events, planning down to the smallest detail, interacting with different vendors and clients, solving logistical challenges, and creating memorable experiences for attendees.

Personality:

Typically have enterprising, social, and conventional personality types, with a passion for leading projects, engaging with people, and bringing order to complex plans.

Values:

Client satisfaction, creativity, efficiency, collaboration, attention to detail, and creating impactful experiences.

*Terms used to describe interests and personality are based on the Holland Framework.

How to Become an Event Coordinator

Education Requirements:

A bachelor’s degree in event management, hospitality, communications, or a related field is often beneficial. Gaining experience through internships or entry-level positions is highly recommended.

Preferred Majors

Career Path

Specialties and Similar Career Paths

Advice from KateAnne

Job hunt tips to set yourself apart:

Embrace your passion, whether it’s people or efficiency, and let it shine in interviews. Be eager to learn and share your unique experiences. Events are diverse, so your perspective matters—bring it, be open, and show how you can make things even better.

Fastest way to get your foot in the door:

The fastest way to pivot into event coordination is to identify your transferable skills. Think about skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, organization, and customer experience—skills that apply to both your current field and event coordination. Highlight these skills in a way that shows you’d be a great fit for event coordination.

Recommended resources:

KateAnne recommends listening to event coordination podcasts like:

1. EventLab – Covering industry trends, planning insights, and event technology.
2. GatherGeeks – Featuring interviews with industry leaders discussing event planning and strategies.
3. Event Tech Podcast – Focusing on technology trends and tools in the event industry.

What KateAnne would tell her younger self if she was just getting started:

“Take it one day at a time—event coordination is a skill that takes time to learn. Many people already have the right skills, but be patient, as learning never stops in this industry. Ask lots of questions; the more you ask, the better your questions will get. Be confident, as your work makes a real impact. Events bring people together, and your role truly makes a difference.”

Watch the full interview with KateAnne:

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Data on job profiles is based on information supplied by the Occupational Outlook Handbook from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, My Next Move from the National Center for O*NET Development, and the O*NET Program, sponsored by U.S. Department of Labor, Employment, and Training Administration. Accessed 2 October 2024.

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