MICE is made from the initial letters of Meeting, Incentives, Convention, Events, and Exhibition, and the MICE industry is attracting attention nowadays. The MICE industry produces huge revenues for the organizations that host the events, the organizers, the venues, and restaurants. Convention planners play an important role in the MICE industry. Therefore, to plan successful meetings, organizations need convention planners. Because this job has good prospects in the future, we will introduce information about convention planners.

Role
Convention planners plan and manage international conferences or fairs. Before the meeting, they negotiate and decide on meeting places, the budget, and promotion. They select presenters and companies to set up sound and lighting. In addition, they train personnel to host the events successfully. On the day of the meeting, they decide on room assignments, and prepare the venues, equipment, and food, and supervise the whole running of the meeting. After the meeting, they make a final conference report and evaluate the meeting.

Qualifications
To become a convention planner, it is advantageous to have a convention meeting planner certificate level 1 or 2. There is no restriction on people taking level 2, but level 1 is only for those who have worked for more than three years in the field. The written test for level 1 consists of convention business theory, financial accounting theory, and convention marketing. The practical test consists of convention planning, proposal writing, and an English presentation. The written test for level 2 consists of convention industry theory, hospitality business theory, and English presentation. The practical test consists of the same subjects as level 1. A convention planner needs creativity, originality, and planning ability. Training can be conducted through the Korea Human Resources Development Consulting Center and the World Trade Academy in KITA (Korea International Trade Association). Above all, because they have to deal with foreigners, fluent language skills are essential.

Prospects
As international exchange grows because of globalization, international events and meetings are increasing. Convention planners are not common, and there is a lack of professional staff. The field needs convention planners for tourism associations, convention centers, government, and hotels, and relevant departments at universities have been established. If you have an international perspective and language skills, you can get a lot of employment opportunities.