Money Aside, What Do You Wish You Could Ask for From Your Boss?

In addition to weighing in on money matters, planners shared what else they are looking for from their bosses. Photo courtesy Jacob Slaton / Whatever Media Group

Convene‘s forthcoming Annual Salary Survey is a key benchmark for the industry in terms of how planners are compensated for their work. But money isn’t everything! This year we asked survey respondents: ”Aside from a raise, what is the one thing you have asked — or would like to ask — from your boss?

Several key themes emerged in the open-ended responses (as analyzed by ChatGPT)

1. Additional Staff Support (Very Common)

Many respondents mentioned being overextended and asked for:

• A new hire or assistant
• Administrative/clerical support
• More team resources, especially during busy seasons
• “To hire an entry-level planner to help me”
• “Help during our events busy season. I’m a staff/team of one.”

2. Flexibility and Remote Work (Frequent)

Respondents are asking for:

• More remote work or full-time WFH
• Flexible hours or schedules
• Less time commuting
• “The ability to work from home the majority of the time”
• “To work hours that fit my whole life schedule, not boxed hours”

3. Professional Development

Requests include:

• Paid industry memberships
• Conference attendance
• Training, certifications, mentorship
• “Paid professional development opportunities, especially CEUs for CMP”
• “I always ask for budget allocated for professional development.”

4. Title Change or Promotion

Respondents seek:

• Recognition through a new title
• Clearer career growth paths
• Expanded job responsibilities aligned with their expertise
• “More strategic direction and high-level thinking”
• “To have a more strategic role in the company”

5. Strategic Involvement and Leadership

Several want a seat at the table:

• Participation in decision-making
• Opportunities to lead cross-functional or high-level initiatives
• Greater autonomy in their role
• “Less micromanaging from someone who is not my supervisor”

6. Operational Improvements

Recurring asks:

• Better systems, SOPs, software tools
• Streamlining internal processes
• Less micromanagement and more trust
• “More feedback”
• “Respect. More responsibility.”
• “Better understanding of events and linkage to organizational strategy.”

7. Culture, Recognition, and Support

Some requests were about:

• Feeling valued and respected
• Empathy and better communication
• Support navigating difficult team dynamics
• “New title — would like to be recognized as ‘senior’”
• “Clarity on career growth path and access to training”