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Hotel Event Planner Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Athene

Sales Event Planner

West Des Moines, IA · On-site

As an Event Planner on Athene's Sales Operations team, you'll bring corporate meetings and ... hotel agreements, room blocks, registration, transportation, food and beverage, speaker ...

StoneX

Planner, Global Events

West Des Moines, IA · Hybrid

StoneX Group Inc. is seeking a Planner, Global Events to join our team in West Des Moines, IA ... Source event venues and send out RFPs * Request and review hotel/venue and vendor contracts * Put ...

Holmes Murphy

Sr. Event Manager

Waukee, IA · On-site

Manage hotel contracts, room blocks, registration websites, attendee communications, transportation ... What You'll Bring * 5+ years of event planning, meeting management, hospitality, travel, or related ...

Holmes Murphy

Sr. Event Manager

Waukee, IA · On-site

Manage hotel contracts, room blocks, registration websites, attendee communications, transportation ... What You'll Bring * 5+ years of event planning, meeting management, hospitality, travel, or related ...

Holmes Murphy

Sr. Event Manager

Waukee, IA · On-site

Manage hotel contracts, room blocks, registration websites, attendee communications, transportation ... What You'll Bring * 5+ years of event planning, meeting management, hospitality, travel, or related ...

HMA Group Holdings, LLC

Sr. Event Manager

Waukee, IA · On-site

$70 - $110/hr

Manage hotel contracts, room blocks, registration websites, attendee communications, transportation ... What You'll Bring * 5+ years of event planning, meeting management, hospitality, travel, or related ...

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All JobsHotel Event Planner JobsHotel Event Planner Jobs in Iowa

Hotel Event Planner information

See Iowa salary details

$12

$28

$41

How much do hotel event planner jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average hourly pay for hotel event planner in Iowa is $28.60, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $22.60 and $33.17 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a hotel event planner?

To thrive as a Hotel Event Planner, you need strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and experience in hospitality or event management—often supported by a related degree or certification. Familiarity with event management software, booking platforms, and budgeting tools is typically required. Excellent communication, negotiation, and problem-solving abilities help you build client relationships and manage vendor coordination seamlessly. These skills ensure successful event execution, client satisfaction, and the ability to handle unexpected challenges in a dynamic hospitality environment.

What are some common challenges hotel event planners face when coordinating large-scale events, and how can they be overcome?

Hotel Event Planners often encounter challenges such as last-minute changes from clients, coordinating multiple vendors, and managing tight timelines, especially for large-scale events. To overcome these, strong organizational skills and proactive communication are essential. Building solid relationships with hotel staff, vendors, and clients helps ensure everyone is aligned and can quickly address any unforeseen issues. Utilizing event management software and checklists can also streamline logistics and reduce the risk of oversight.

What is the difference between Hotel Event Planner vs Catering Manager?

AspectHotel Event PlannerCatering Manager
CredentialsEvent planning certifications, hospitality experienceCatering or culinary certifications, hospitality background
Work EnvironmentHotels, resorts, conference centersHotels, banquet halls, catering companies
Industry UsageOrganizes events within hotel propertiesManages food service for events, often within hotels
Primary FocusEvent logistics, coordination, client needsFood quality, service, staff management

While both roles operate within the hospitality industry and require similar credentials, the Hotel Event Planner focuses on coordinating entire events at hotels, including logistics and client relations. The Catering Manager specializes in managing food services and catering operations, often within the same hotel setting. Understanding these differences helps job seekers identify the right career path based on their skills and interests.

Is there a demand for hotel event planners?

Hotel event planners are in steady demand due to the hospitality industry's need for coordinating conferences, weddings, and corporate events. Employment opportunities are expected to grow as hotels seek skilled professionals to manage event logistics and customer satisfaction. Strong organizational skills and familiarity with event management software are valuable for this role.

What are popular job titles related to Hotel Event Planner jobs in Iowa?

For Hotel Event Planner jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Hotel Event Planner jobs in Iowa look for?

The top searched job categories for Hotel Event Planner jobs in Iowa are:

Hotel Event Planner jobs near you
Infographic showing various Hotel Event Planner job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 68% Full Time, 29% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $59,489 per year, or $28.6 per hour.

Sales Event Planner

Athene

West Des Moines, IA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 10 days ago

Athene rating

7.1

Company rating: 7.1 out of 10

Based on 11 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

We are driven to do more. More for our customers and the financial professionals who offer our products. If you are driven to do more and love the challenge of pursuing more, Athene is your kind of company. You will find we offer more than the basics to create an inclusive and dynamic work environment at our various locations.

Purpose:

As an Event Planner on Athene's Sales Operations team, you'll bring corporate meetings and conferences to life from initial concept through post-meeting reporting. You'll partner closely with Sales, Marketing, internal stakeholders and external vendors to create thoughtful, brand-consistent experiences that support business priorities and strengthen relationships with our partners and attendees.

Accountabilities:

  • Lead end-to-end planning and execution for corporate meetings and conferences, partnering with Sales leaders and stakeholders to establish objectives, desired outcomes and an exceptional attendee experience.
  • Own meeting logistics and communications across the pre-event, onsite and post meeting lifecycle, including hotel agreements, room blocks, registration, transportation, food and beverage, speaker coordination and attendee communications.
  • Build and manage Cvent experiences, including registration websites, attendee engagement and management, sourcing and post-event reporting.
  • Manage vendor relationships, contracts and meeting budgets, negotiating for the right balance of quality and cost while tracking spending and identifying opportunities to improve efficiency and value.
  • Partner across Sales and Marketing to develop meeting collateral, promotional materials and experiences that consistently represent the Athene brand and respond effectively as priorities evolve.
  • Measure and improve meeting effectiveness through attendance, spending and stakeholder feedback, using data, technology and AI-enabled tools where appropriate to streamline routine work, generate insights and continuously improve future experiences.


Qualifications and Experience:

  • 3+ years of relevant experience in corporate events or meeting planning, including end-to-end event execution, vendor management, logistics and budget management, or relevant experience, preferred.

  • Proficiency with Cvent, including registration website builds, attendee engagement and management, reporting and sourcing; financial services industry experience is a plus.

  • Strong project management, critical-thinking and problem-solving skills, with a bias for action and the agility to manage multiple priorities, solve issues quickly and adapt when plans change.

  • Strong customer focus and communication skills, with the ability to build collaborative relationships, influence stakeholders and work effectively across organizational levels and with external partners.

  • Comfort using technology to improve how work gets done, including PowerPoint, Word and Excel, with curiosity and AI fluency to identify opportunities for automation, efficiency and better decision-making.

  • Bachelor's degree in marketing, business or a related field, or equivalent experience.

  • Additional Role Requirements: Ability to travel approximately 10%-20% and work occasional evenings, weekends or extended hours based on meeting schedules. Ability to lift, push or pull up to 50 pounds.

Drive. Discipline. Confidence. Focus. Commitment. Learn more about working at Athene.

Athene is a Military Friendly Employer! Learn more about how we support our Veterans.

Athene is committed to inclusion and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other status protected by federal, state or local law.

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