Meeting and Event Management

Overview of Meeting and Event Management Careers

The hospitality industry is the largest and fastest growing industry in the world. Diverse career opportunities await individuals who find fulfillment of guest experiences stimulating and rewarding. From the management of meetings, special events and trade shows to casino, hotel and resort operations, this exciting and dynamic industry offers starting wages that average $30,000+ and fast-track growth of up to 22% over the next decade.

The Meeting and Event Management program prepares students to enter this exciting industry. Individuals already employed as meeting planners or in tourism, hotel, casino and convention service positions will expand their career opportunities with the program's comprehensive curriculum. This field of study is the missing ingredient for individuals who want to offer premier services and guest satisfaction to many different types of customers in a variety of industry businesses, including meeting, conference and event management businesses; marketing and public relations firms; for- and non-profit corporations; golf and country clubs; casinos; resorts; and other attractions that offer food, lodging, or convention and meeting space to guests.

Who Should Participate in This Program?

The diversity and growth of the hospitality industry makes this the ideal field of study for students of all ages and life experiences. If you find hospitality and the fulfillment of guest expectations stimulating and rewarding, you will find your career among the many opportunities offered in this industry.

Nature of Work

Employment is all about the guest, their experiences, and expectations. A diverse array of career options is available.

Meeting and event managers identify, coordinate, and manage all details of meetings, conferences, trade shows, incentive trips, corporate retreats, festivals, fairs, celebrations, weddings and other life celebrations. They are drivers of success and profitability for the meetings and other events that serve as a pivotal focus for hosting organizations and groups across the globe.

Meeting and event managers are integral to management, operations and service positions in the many industries that serve these gatherings.  A.A.S. students select an emphasis to enhance their opportunities in one of these sectors. 

The Hospitality Management emphasis leads to positions in hotels, convention centers and resorts as well as more non-traditional venues:

  • Convention service staff members who manage and implement meeting logistics and assist meeting planners to bring their vision to life.
  • Front office staff that coordinate room inventory, perform nightly audits and administer guest registration and check-out services. Communication, delivery of service and in-house guest sales are integral components of these positions.
  • Group sales staff members who bring events and conventions to the venue by applying sales and marketing skills. Sales members often specialize in one or more customer market segments such as wedding, educational, corporate, etc. and promote the location's benefits to meet market segment needs.

The Casino Management emphasis leads to positions in casinos and other gaming venues:

    • Similar positions as in hotels, convention centers and resorts, as well as gaming-exclusive positions.
    • Casino operations staff members that service games, perform security and purchasing, as well as marketing staff who are responsible for public relations and market research.
    Career Opportunities

    The hospitality and tourism industry is the largest and fastest growing industry in the world. There are approximately 3.5 million hotel rooms in thousands of hotels within North America alone. Add the number of convention service venues that do not lodge guests, plus non-traditional venues such as museums, zoos and landmark building, and the number is staggering. Consider the many establishments around the globe, and it is easy to see why this is the largest industry in the world.

    Ranked 39th on the list of "The 50 Best Jobs in America" by CNN/Money Magazine in April 2006, the meeting and event management segment of this industry projects 22% job growth over the next 10 years. In March 2007, CNN/Money Magazine ranked event planner eighth on the Web site's list of "Top 20 Jobs" for people who want more money, more upside, and more control over where they're going. The average income of $56,000, combined with substantial growth projection, verifies that this career is statistically well ahead of many more established occupations.

    Individuals new to the industry, regardless of industry segment may anticipate a starting salary of $30,000 to $34,000. Long-term salary projections vary based upon the organization, geographic location and employment position.

    Program Delivery

    In the classroom or online, technical courses are delivered in a hands-on workshop environment. Courses are offered in a weekend format, completely online or a blend of both formats. Students may enroll full-time or part-time in either Fall or Spring semester. Classroom courses in this program are offered at DCTC's Apple Valley site.

    Student Outcomes
    1. Graduates completing the program will be prepared to enter the industry.
    2. Individuals already employed in the industry will expand their career opportunities and be prepared to successfully achieve their goals in this complex and growing field.
    Faculty
    Rosealee M. Lee, CAE, CICM 651.423.8604 rosealee.lee@dctc.edu BIO
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