Meeting Professional Salaries, Workloads Are Increasing
June 8, 2017
According to PCMA’s recently released Convene 2017 Annual Salary Survey, most meeting professionals are happy to be working in the profession, 75 percent have earned an average increase of six percent within the last year and nearly 40 percent are dissatisfied with their salaries.
Published last month in Convene, the survey has served as an industry benchmark for several decades.
Completed by more than 800 association, corporate and independent meeting professionals last March, the survey found that the average salary for the role is nearly $82,000, about 2 percent higher than the average salary reported in last year’s survey.
“While the majority of meeting professionals received a regular salary increase over the past 12 months, most of them also said that they had additional responsibilities added to their plates over the past year – for which three-quarters of them were not compensated,” explained Michelle Russell, editor in chief of Convene.
All those extra responsibilities appear to have contributed to the long hours event professionals are working these days. According to the survey, planners are working an average of 46 hours per week and 25 percent are logging more than 50 hours each week.
Here are a few additional highlights:
· The average salary for meeting professionals with 1-3 years of experience is $51,754; 4-5 years, $62,000; 6-8 years, $69,976; 9-10 years, $74,155; and 10+ years, $92,553. More than half of planners surveyed said they earn $70,000 or more annually.
· Salary raises have increased two points to more than six percent this year, compared with the average raise of more than four percent reported in the 2016 survey.
· Event professionals with a CMP took home an average annual salary of $86,847 – around $10,500 a year more than their counterparts without the designation.
· Despite the fact that 90 percent of respondents were women, reflecting a female-dominated industry, the survey results once again indicate that the pay scale is tipped in favor of men. This year, male event professionals out-earned their female peers by 22 percent.
· Regardless of the inequity between sexes and financial compensation, 51 percent of respondents reported being satisfied with their current salary; 71 percent are satisfied with their jobs, and 87 percent are satisfied with the meetings professional as a whole.
“We had our highest response for this survey ever (and) that proves to me that there’s an appetite to discover not only how individuals are compensated in this industry, but to explore the evolving nature of their work and demands on their time,” Russell said.
Read the full Convene Salary Survey results here.
Partner Voices
Overview:
The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality.
In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way.
“We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.”
Amenities:
The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.
The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience
The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need.
Gold Key Members
The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events.
OCCC Events:
This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.
The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:
AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023
200,000 Attendees
$257 Million in Economic Impact
MEGACON 2023
160,000 Attendees
$205 Million in Economic Impact
Open Championship Series 2023
69,500 Attendees
$89 Million in Economic Impact
Sunshine Classic 2023
42,000 Attendees
$54 Million in Economic Impact
Premiere Orlando 2023
42,000 Attendees
$108 Million in Economic Impact
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