Corporate Meetings & Incentive magazine recently published a Senior Meeting Manager Survey with some statistics about salaries in the event planning industry. Although they didn’t track company location or include non-profit organizations, we thought the following findings were interesting:

• The average salary of the experienced meeting planners they surveyed was just over $100,000, plus a median bonus of $10,000.
• Professional  services firms are still paying an average of $15,000 less than financial and insurance firms.
• The Certified Meeting Planner designation is worth about $3,000 more a year.
• More than 50% of respondents outsource finding venues/vendors, registration and on-site logistics to meeting planning companies like Ginger Donnan Events.

OK, they didn’t actually say Ginger Donnan Events! But the facts about outsourcing did get us thinking about our own statistics as we approach our third anniversary. Our average fee to plan an event has been $11,500, depending on the services selected. While no outside provider can take the place of a long-term, senior meeting manager in terms of institutional knowledge, HR decision-makers should weigh the value in bringing on additional event help as needed, rather than maintaining a full-time events team at all times. Some of our most requested services are:

• Budgets – From the initial draft, through countless revisions, to reconciliation, we track every dollar so you always know where you stand.
• Communications – We correspond with attendees to confirm registrations and maintain consistent communication with you through bi-weekly progress reports.
• Contracts – We make sure arrangements are correctly outlined in contracts and negotiate the best rates and concessions on your behalf.
• Food and Beverage – We make recommendations that will delight your guests but stay in line with your budget.
• Master Event Plan – This document of all services and event details is updated throughout the event planning process and provided on a regular basis as a reference for you.
• Material Writing and Production – From solicitation letters to programs, we write compelling copy specific to your audience, your event.
• On-site Management – We arrive early and stay late so you can focus on developing relationships with your attendees, rather than managing logistics.
• Post-Event Evaluation – We lead and/or participate in closing discussions to make sure learning opportunities are captured.
• Production – We identify production needs, solicit proposals from vendors and manage their tasks through the event, including lighting, audio-visual, photography and videography.
• Timeline – We lay out the list of tasks from the start of our involvement to post-event evaluation with a detailed timeline and report back as each item has been accomplished.
• Vendor Selection – We work with your preferred vendors or can recommend trusted sources.

Would your company like to save the cost of an additional, full-time meeting planner by outsourcing some of these tasks to Ginger Donnan Events? If so, contact ginger@gingerdonnanevents.com today for a proposal!

Tags: Budget, cost, Event planning, meeting planner, salary, services
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