Meeting Planner—About the Program

The Meeting Planner Program at Moraine Valley prepares you for a career as a meeting planner/special events manager.

What does a meeting planner do?
A meeting planner puts together annual meetings, special events and other functions handling all details from start to finish.

Our comprehensive program covers a broad spectrum: business, technology, and industry-specific courses, plus verbal and written communication skills. Our graduates will possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities to take a project from the conceptual stage into a successful onsite meeting, conference, or a gala fundraiser. Working closely with local and worldwide destinations, both virtually and onsite, our graduates make sure the event is a perfect match for the client's needs and budget.

The curriculum has been designed by an advisory board of meeting/special events managers specifically to give our graduates the necessary skills for entry-level positions. This program is intended to lead to employment. If you are considering transferring to a four-year college or university to obtain a bachelor's degree using the courses from this program, make an appointment with an academic advisor to review your options. Most people working in this field are college graduates. A college degree is highly desirable in this field.

Nature of Work
As a Meeting Planner, you can choose to work for:

• A corporation—planning special events.
• Trade and Professional Associations—planning annual meetings and other functions.
• Hotels and Resorts—planning parties, special events and other functions booked at these destinations.
• A Planning firm—planning special events, meetings and more for clients who hire the firm.
• Yourself—as an independent or subcontractor for all of the above!

Regardless of whom they work for, meeting planners never work in one place all the time. They visit clients, suppliers, and subcontractors, stay in hotels, and attend functions. They need to be comfortable working in a wide variety of surroundings and with a wide variety of people.

Related Job Titles
Meeting planner, meeting coordinator, meeting specialist, event manager, event coordinator, wedding planner, trade show director, convention manager, conference manager.

More information about the Meeting Planner Program