Short history, big potential

Before you search the term “PCO” on the internet, prepare yourself to be confused by other relevant terms such as convention planner, convention planning expert, international conference planner, and Meeting, Incentives, Convention, Exhibition (MICE) planner. Actually, they all indicate the same career. While a conference refers to a meeting where more than two people gather to discuss a certain issue, a convention refers to a much wider range of meetings, including conferences, forums, exhibitions, and expos.

The term “PCO” originated from America in 1990. In Korea, people have recently begun to use the acronym MICE to indicate the industries related to holding conventions. As the need for international communication increased, the role of PCO came into existence as a job that specializes in dealing with international conventions. “A PCO’s world is a blue ocean,” Kim Hyo-jin (Chief Researcher, International Convention Management Center) says. “Some may worry about its short history, but on the other hand, it also means that you can make your own history here. It is a job with huge potential.”

PCOs are responsible for almost everything related to conventions. On EBS’s *Arising Future Job*, Shin Myung-ho, who has been working as a PCO for more than 10 years, points out, “In the past, the role of PCO was confined to providing convenience for the participants of the conference. Nowadays, PCOs plan the conference itself; we cast the speakers, set the main issue of the conference and even intervene into inviting domestic and foreign participants to the conference. The field of a PCO is expanding.”

Multiple tasks, multiple abilities

What PCOs do

• Event Websites and online registration systems

• Marketing Programs

• Business Plans

• Media Plans

• Event Budget and Cash Flow Preparation

• Risk assessment and Pubic Liability Insurance

• Sponsorship Proposals

• Audio Visual Setup

• Theming and Set Design

• Room Block Management

• Exhibition Management

• Delegate Boosting

• Program Coordination and Speaker Management

• Publication/Brochure/Printing Management

• Financial Management

• Mailing List and Data Management

• Contract Guidance

• Total On-Site Management

• Full Secretariat Service

• Venue finding and Contract Negotiation

(Source: Professional Conference Organizers Association)

PCOs carry out various tasks, and they are not simple either. “PCO is a job that requires many abilities,” Kim says. “Since a PCO deals with people all around the world, speaking fluent business English is required. Besides English, speaking a second or third language would help you a lot. If we look into the international organizations, in many cases they enact more than one language as their official language.” Computer skills are also very important. “PCOs have to work with computers. We have to enroll VIPs name lists by using excel. We also have to send e-mails to VIPs and organizations through Outlook. We write proposals and do presentations before the hosts and the sponsors sometimes. All these tasks require PCOs to have proficient computer skills,” Kim says.

But having proficient language ability and computer skills is not enough. After all, being a PCO is a job that deals with people. “A PCO is the coordinator of the conference,” Kim says. “We have to meet diverse people and listen to their opinions. If there is any trouble, we have to settle it and make sure each side has no complaints. For example, when I was planning an automobile forum, I had to meet with staff from car industries and had to talk with them regularly. I also had to meet with facility staff, sponsors, hosts and participants. As a PCO, my job was to meet their needs by holding a satisfactory forum.” So, you can say that the ability to communicate with different people and coordinating their needs are very important for a PCO.

How to be a PCO

   According to Shin, there are two main ways to become a PCO. The first option is to complete a regular PCO curriculum offered in universities or educational centers, like Ewha International Convention Management Center where Kim works. Second, you can take a certificate exam for becoming a convention meeting planner which tests one’s knowledge about conventions and meetings.

   However, Shin emphasizes that these are not the only ways to become a PCO. “You don’t have to be someone who knows everything about conventions. Instead, I recommend people to develop each of their expertise. For example, if you study majors like economics, business, city marketing or environment, you can have your own area of specialty on which others cannot compete. I majored in mass communication myself. My knowledge about communication helped me a lot in the field and gave me a special advantage in dealing with the tasks related to communication.”

Advice from current PCOs

Many PCOs advise that the work of a PCO is not as cool and glamorous as it looks. When people hear that PCOs are doing tasks related to international conventions, they imagine PCOs sipping wine and directing people dressed in fancy clothes. However, that’s not true. “We often work in the places unseen, and our work is very tough. One important thing to make sure is why you want this job. PCOs are those who work for a convention, not those who enjoy it. If you think that your passion is towards the convention itself, then prepare for the job. If not, you won’t be able to bear the heavy workload,” says Kim.

Nevertheless, being a PCO is indeed a very satisfying and interesting job. “I can meet with diverse people including popular celebrities worldwide and listen to their opinions face to face,” Kim says. She points out that “those who love to work with people are fit for this job.” Shin says, “I have met 40 to 50 former and current presidents around the world so far doing this job. Such opportunities are often given to us.” Also, PCOs can contribute to the process of making solutions for a better world. “In the international meetings, a number of important decisions that may have enormous influence on people around the world are made, and I am proud of the fact that I am helping,” says Shin. So, if you are certain about your passion despite the hardships you have to go through, challenge yourself for this job.