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Special Event Coordinator

Special event coordinators plan, organize and coordinate conferences, meetings, seminars, exhibitions, trade shows, festivals, fundraisers and other special events.

Also Known As

Conference Planner, Convention Planner, Event Assistant, Event Planner, Meeting Planner

NOC Codes

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

  • 1226: Conference and Event Planners

2006 NOC-S

  • B316: Conference and Event Planners

2011 NOC

  • 1226: Conference and event planners

2016 NOC

  • 1226: Conference and event planners

2021 NOC

  • 12103: Conference and event planners

2023 OaSIS

  • 12103.00: Conference and event planners
Duties
Updated May 20, 2021

Special event coordinators’ duties vary depending on the nature of the events they organize but, in general, they:

  • Identify the objectives of the event and determine the requirements that must be met to accomplish those objectives (for example, facilities and services)
  • Meet with trade and professional associations and other groups to promote conference, convention and trade show services, and research potential sponsors
  • Meet with sponsors and organizing committees to plan the scope and format of events, establish and monitor budgets, review administrative procedures and discuss progress
  • Coordinate services (for example, accommodation and transportation for participants, catering, signage, displays, translation services, audiovisual equipment, printing, security) and deal with any problems that arise
  • Coordinate decor design and special effects
  • Develop crowd management and risk management systems
  • Plan set up and tear down procedures
  • Plan entertainment and social gatherings for participants
  • Receive and process registrations
  • Hire, train and supervise volunteers and support staff
  • Negotiate contracts for services, approve invoices, maintain financial records, prepare or review final billing for the event and prepare reports

Organizing a special event may require:

  • Developing or helping to develop a plan, program or agenda
  • Identifying the event elements, determining logical sequencing and developing efficient schedules
  • Selecting sites and coordinating building and property services (for example, audiovisual and technical details, decorations, seating)
  • Preparing strategies to ensure that the event site complies with all required legislation and regulations, including those related to health and safety
  • Sourcing speakers and entertainment options
  • Selecting menus that meet the event's budgetary requirements
  • Organizing transportation, security and emergency services
  • Marketing the event and promoting sponsorships
  • Negotiating rates with suppliers, controlling expenses and administering financial procedures
  • Identifying and selecting appropriate registration, admission controls and guest greetings system for an event
  • Designing and implementing public relations campaigns
  • Recruiting, training and motivating staff or volunteers
  • Preparing and distributing event minutes
Working Conditions
Updated May 20, 2021
  • Strength Required Lift up to 5 kg

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.

Interests & Abilities

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.

Conference and Event Planners

2006 NOC: 1226

Interest Codes

Interest Codes for This NOC Group
DIRECTIVE

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

SOCIAL

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

INNOVATIVE

Interest in planning entertainment and social gatherings for participants and in publicizing events

Your Interest Codes

To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Reading Interest Codes
A Quick Guide

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.

Learn About Interests

Abilities

Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Mental Abilities

General Learning Ability

Verbal Ability

Numerical Ability

Visual Abilities

Spatial Perception

Form Perception

Clerical Perception

Physical Abilities

Motor Coordination

Finger Dexterity

Manual Dexterity

Understanding Abilities

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.

Learn About Abilities

Traits & Skills
Updated May 20, 2021

Special event coordinators need:

  • Excellent communication and presentation skills
  • Excellent organizational and time management skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • The stamina and energy required to work long hours when required
  • The ability to negotiate agreements and mediate disputes
  • The ability to work effectively with all sorts of people
  • The ability to pay close attention to details
  • The ability to work well under pressure and make responsible decisions quickly

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.

Top 10 Skills Employers Are Looking For

Conference and event planners

2016 NOC: 1226

This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 149 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Jun 16, 2022 and Dec 02, 2024.

Review these skills to learn:

  • Whether or not this occupation matches your skill set
  • What training you may need to get these skills
  • What skills to highlight in your resumé, cover letter, and interview.
Attention to detail
Tasks: Co-ordinate set-ups, staging, seating, parking, communication systems and other details for special events
Tasks: Plan schedules, goals and objectives
Tasks: Plan for social events and guest programs
Tasks: Research and design special events programs
Tasks: Develop media strategies and public relations activities
Tasks: Plan and arrange for trade shows and exhibits
Team player
Tasks: Develop marketing and communication plans
Tasks: Inspect and select sites
Educational Requirements
Updated May 20, 2021
  • Minimum Education 1 year post-secondary

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.

Related Education

The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.

Bow Valley College
CDI College of Business, Technology and Health Care - Calgary City Centre
CDI College of Business, Technology and Health Care - Edmonton North
Reeves College - Calgary City Centre
Reeves College Edmonton South
Thompson Rivers University
Vancouver Island University

To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:

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.

Certification Requirements
Updated May 20, 2021
  • Certification Not Regulated

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.

Employment & Advancement
Updated May 20, 2021

Special event coordinators may work on a short-term or permanent basis for:

  • Tourism associations
  • Trade and professional associations
  • Hotels
  • Festival and event associations
  • Municipal parks and recreation departments
  • Educational institutions
  • Not-for-profit organizations 
  • Large corporations
  • Convention and conference centres
  • Conference and event planning companies

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.

Industry Concentration

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.

Conference and event planners
2016 NOC: 1226

76.0% of people in this occupational group work in:

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 examples, see Note.

3-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the short-term demand forecasted for this occupation in Alberta over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Conference and event planners
2021 NOC: 12103
Lower
Demand
2,700
Employed

Source: 2023-2025 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast

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 examples, see Note.

To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.

5-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

  • Time of year (for seasonal jobs)
  • Location in Alberta
  • Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
  • Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
  • Size of the occupation
  • Trends and events that affect overall employment, especially in the industry or industries from the previous list

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Conference and event planners
2016 NOC: 1226
2.6%
Annual Growth
(Above Average)
53
New Positions

Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.

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 examples, see Note.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Related Alberta Job Postings
Wage & Salary
Updated May 20, 2021

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.

Conference and event planners

2016 NOC: 1226
Average Wage
$22.33
Per Hour
Average Salary
$35,697.00
Per Year
Average Hours
29.5
Per Week
Average Months on Payroll
11.8
Survey Methodology Survey Analysis

Source
2021 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey

NOC 1226 Wage Profile

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.

B: Good Reliability
Data Reliability Code Definition

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.


Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
  • Low
  • High
  • Average
  • Median
Starting
Overall
Top

Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
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

  • Starting pay: average pay offered for entry-level positions
  • Overall pay: average pay across all employees in this occupation
  • Top pay: average pay offered to top-paid employees

Industry Information

ALL INDUSTRIES
Information, Culture, Recreation
Accommodation & Food Services
Public Administration

Skills Shortage

Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
39%
39%)
Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties
17%
17%
Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over 4 Months
8%
8%
Vacancy Rate
4%
Related Post-Secondary Field of Study
  • Communications
Other Sources of Information
Updated May 20, 2021

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.

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