Convene Salary Survey 2013

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Gaining the Upper Hand

As the job market continues to gain strength, meeting professionals are commanding a higher salary — taking home nearly 10 percent more than they did last year.

By Michelle Russell

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ighty-five percent of all companies plan to give raises this year, according to the Pay- Scale 2013 Compensation Best Practices

Report. That’s only a slightly rosier picture than the one drawn by meeting-professional respon- dents to our latest Annual Salary Survey, in which 75 percent said they’ve either received or expect to receive a pay increase in 2013. Sixty-one percent of the companies surveyed

in the PayScale report (resources.payscale.com) said they plan to offer learning and development opportunities for their staff — which is especially good news for an industry founded on profes- sional development. But at least one respondent to this year’s Salary Survey would find that statistic ironic. When asked to describe what was least likeable about his or her job, this survey taker said: “Little to no opportunity for professional devel- opment and growth. Not being challenged. New, innovative ideas not welcomed.” Sounds like it’s time to find a new job. And in

that search, this meeting professional won’t be alone. “Most companies are probably not fully prepared,” University of Memphis management professor David G. Allen told Today.com, “for all the … pent-up turnover that is likely to come when the job market really turns around.” Companies may not be completely ready for

that day, but they’re not clueless. According to PayScale’s report, the percentage of organizations that say retention has become a major concern — nearly 60 percent — has more than doubled from 2009 to 2013. Meanwhile, 15 percent more businesses plan to hire in 2013 than in 2012; 53 percent of companies expect their workforce to grow; and 67 percent say that they’re having a hard time filling skilled job positions. If they’re in the market for meeting profession-

als, they’ll find that our experienced respondents fit the bill. Here’s a snapshot of who they are.

› PCMA.ORG JUNE 2013 PCMA CONVENE 59

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