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Conference Planner, Convention Planner, Event Assistant, Event Planner, Meeting Planner
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.
Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
Special event coordinators’ duties vary depending on the nature of the events they organize but, in general, they:
Organizing a special event may require:
Special event coordinators may work on several projects at once. They work in offices but are required to travel to event sites. Long hours often are required particularly just before and during an event. At times, the work is stressful.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Interest in co-ordinating services such as accommodation, transportation, conference halls and other facilities, catering, signage, displays, translation, special needs requirements, audio-visual equipment, printing and security; in organizing registration of participants; in approving suppliers' invoices; in ensuring compliance with required by-laws; and in hiring, training and supervising support staff
Interest in speaking with trade and professional associations and other groups to promote and discuss conference, convention and trade show services and to negotiate contracts for services; and in meeting with sponsors and organizing committees to plan scope and format of events
Interest in planning entertainment and social gatherings for participants and in publicizing events
To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.
A Quick Guide
You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.
The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.
The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.
Special event coordinators need:
They should enjoy organizing and coordinating activities, and talking to people.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 100 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Jun 16, 2022 and Apr 19, 2024.
Review these skills to learn:
| Attention to detail | 67 |
|---|---|
| Tasks: Co-ordinate set-ups, staging, seating, parking, communication systems and other details for special events | 62 |
| Tasks: Plan schedules, goals and objectives | 57 |
| Tasks: Develop marketing and communication plans | 53 |
| Tasks: Determine requirements for hospitality services, signage, multi-media equipment, printing and other technical services, and arrange for and manage contracts for these services | 53 |
| Tasks: Develop media strategies and public relations activities | 52 |
| Tasks: Plan for social events and guest programs | 51 |
| Tasks: Inspect and select sites | 50 |
| Tasks: Recruit, hire and supervise staff and/or volunteers | 48 |
| Tasks: Prepare, present and manage budgets | 48 |
Most employers prefer to hire special event coordinators who have experience in the coordination or supervision of 1 or more events, and have related post-secondary education or certification.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
To expand or narrow your search for programs related to this occupation, visit Post-Secondary Programs.
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
Tourism HR Canada (formally the Canadian Tourism Human Resource Council or CTHRC) offers voluntary certification that is recognized across Canada. Depending on preference and past experiences, candidates may choose to pursue training and certification as an Event Coordinator, Event Manager or Certified Event Management Professional (CEMP). Online certification training is accessible from the emerit website.
Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Special event coordinators may work on a short-term or permanent basis for:
Those employed full time may have other responsibilities as well. Advancement tends to take the form of being given responsibility for larger, more complex events or moving into supervisory positions as event managers or event producers. Experienced special event coordinators who have a broad range of contacts may establish their own companies.
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
In the 1226: Conference and event planners occupational group, 76.0% of people work in:
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, the 1226: Conference and event planners occupational group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 2.4% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 77 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.
Note
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For example, only some of the new positions to be created will be for this occupation. It also applies to other data for the NOC group such as number of people employed.
Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Special event coordinators’ incomes vary considerably depending on the nature of the event, the qualifications of the coordinator and whether the position is full-time or contract.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.
All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.
To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.
Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.
Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $16.16 | $35.90 | $20.81 | $17.00 |
| Overall | $16.16 | $41.29 | $22.33 | $18.00 |
| Top | $16.16 | $42.64 | $23.57 | $20.51 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Pay brackets for hourly wages
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $35,697 |
|---|---|
| Information, Culture, Recreation | $41,396 |
| Accommodation & Food Services | $26,776 |
| Public Administration | $77,149 |
Alberta Hotel and Lodging Association website: www.ahla.ca
emerit website: emerit.ca
Tourism HR Canada website: tourismhr.ca
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2021. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
