Meeting Planning And Employee Incentive Work.

[SanFranciscan]

I have been told that I am very gracious, which surprised me because I think that I can be a bit of a something that I probably cannot say on Disboards. It rhymes with witch. I have been assured that I really am very good to people and that that is why I am so bothered when I think that I have not done right by someone. For that reason I have been advised that I would do really well in the meeting planning or incentive travel business because I try to take what people are forced to do and turn it into something that they enjoy doing and that I am very sensible with money and a budget.

What is the best way for someone wanting to make a career change to get into this line of work? Anyone here have any experience to share with a rookie? My prior experience has been mostly in market research work.

 

[corgi_monster]

I organize events for a living, including large business meetings. A good way to start in the business is to build your resume by coordinating weddings for friends. You could apply at a hotel catering/banquet office, party rental company, etc., and then set off on your own after a few years.

Or, if you are known as an obsessive-compulsive, neurotic planner like me, you could probably solicit jobs on your reputation. Sometimes being "crazy" has its advantages.

PM me if you have questions.

 

[barkley]

years ago i did meeting and event planning in northern california.

i don't know what it's like these days, but back then the bulk of those that did this type of work were employed "in house" for either the companies that needed the services, or the venues where they were held.

i agree with the previous poster who talked about working for a hotel, but i would suggest you also look to their sales department. these departments often oversee or coordinate the various individual departments and private vendors that have to come together for an event or meeting.

as an example-while the banquet department at the hotel i worked for handled the food and beverage aspects of meetings/events, i also had to provide plans and ensure that housekeeping did their part for set up, operations did their part for any a/v needs (and whatever outside vendors for a/v equipment we did'nt own), security for any specific needs, bell/front desk for any parking/lodging/tramsportation, and any outside vendors we used.


if your user name is a reflection of where you currently live, you might want to check into the courses napa valley college offers for their hospitality and tourism program-they are fortunate to have professionals in the industry conducting courses. sf state's extension program offers a whole series of classes on meeting and event planning-and the nice thing with theirs is many are offered on the weekend.

 

[SanFranciscan]

Thank you for the replies. I am sure that I will have more questions. I just have to do a little more research so that I understand how to ask what I want to know in a manner that will be helpful to those willing to help me.

 

[bettymae1121]

My organization has it's own in-house meeting planning department. They handle meetings as small as a couple of people to annual 10,000+ conventions. They all have 4 year degrees of some sort or another and they are all certified meeting planners. They will not hire anyone for that division that isn't certified, they also look for a certain amount of experiance in the industry too. Most of them have to travel pretty frequently (site visits and staffing the varous meetings), which while it can be a lot of fun, can also be a challenge for those with children or other home-life obligations.

Not all meeting planning jobs are like this, if you got a job at a hotel or banquette facillity you wouldn't have to travel, but I don't think those positions pay as much and employment can be iffy if the economy tanks (or tanks even more).

Still, from what I can tell it's an interesting line of work, I've thought about doing it myself if I ever decide I don't want to be a travel agent anymore.

 

[SanFranciscan]

Thank you. I am leaning much more towards incentives, although I know that the meeting industry overlaps. It is just that whenever I hear employers whining "You can't get good help these days," which has been classic for decades no matter what the economy, I know where their focus is not. If you want for your workers to care, you start with the ones who do.