H-1B Visa Event Planner Jobs
Event Planner roles qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship when the position requires a bachelor's degree in hospitality management, event management, or a closely related field. Corporate event teams at hotels, convention centers, and Fortune 500 companies are among the most consistent H-1B sponsors in this occupation.
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Get Access To All JobsOrganizational Summary:
The USF College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) is committed to excellence across the liberal arts and sciences. With more than 900 full-time faculty and staff across 23 academic departments and schools on all three campuses, the college serves 15,000 undergraduate majors and 1,700 graduate students, while delivering 487,000 semester credit hours annually to students across the university. We are home to 21 research centers and institutes.
Our highly-ranked academic programs are among the best in the country and the world. Our faculty conduct cutting-edge and award-winning research in areas such as cancer cell biology, social media and human experience, bacterial pathogenesis, human dynamics, national security, and religion and health among others. Our degrees are structured so that students have opportunities for learning both inside the classroom and beyond it. The college’s alumni are accomplished and engaged, and they are often recognized by the university in the campus’s young alumni and Fast 56 awards. We are especially proud of the way that the college contributes to USF’s national ranking as 22nd in the country in social mobility, a clear sign of the transformative value of the education we provide.
When it comes to events, the overall goal of the Events Team is to advance the College’s mission by creating, implementing, and maintaining an integrated strategy that ensures the most efficient use of CAS resources.
Position Summary:
The Conference and Event Planner reports directly to the Events Manager and is responsible for coordinating, planning, facilitating and executing multiple events and conferences for the College of Arts and Sciences departments, centers, institutes, and Dean’s office. This position serves as the primary liaison with internal units and external constituents, providing organizational leadership in developing, implementing, and overseeing conferences, workshops, events, and public functions. This work typically requires travel to conferences and event sites working evenings and weekends during conferences and events.
The Conference and Event Planner understands events not just as logistics, but as relationship-building opportunities that strengthen networks and foster lasting engagement.
Events Planning:
- Serves as the primary liaison with internal and external constituencies on all matters relating to events, conferences, as well as donor cultivation/stewardship events. In addition to in-person events, the planner will also plan and coordinate virtual and hybrid events.
- Represents the college with respect to departmental activities on a local, regional, and or national basis.
- Evaluates program and event histories to determine requirements as to space, facilities, technology, equipment, lodging, catering, and on-site management.
- Oversees the overall planning management, and execution surrounding all phases of the event planning process (pre, during, and post) including, but not limited to researching vendors, managing registration, catering, securing venues, tracking budgets, event design, event logistics, hotel room blocks, transportation, running reports, etc.
- Handles basic A/V and technology at events as well as handle the set-up and clean-up at events.
- Coordinates with venues (on and off campus) to adhere to venue policies and ensure compliance by all vendors.
- Oversees, coordinates, and manages activities of volunteers, staff, and students to include training, scheduling work allocation and problem resolution.
- Employs motivational techniques to achieve peak productivity and performance.
- Monitors client approvals throughout all phases of the event planning process.
- Performs other administrative and support duties as required in support of the mission and strategy of the Events Team.
Marketing and Communication:
- Develop necessary collateral (marketing assets) including invitations, flyers, signage, programs, QR codes, event landing pages, etc. for meetings and conferences.
- Researches, develops, and/or edits press releases, articles, and notifications via e-mail for internal and external media publications as appropriate.
- Compiles and reviews statistical data; develops and prepares various ad hoc reports, summaries, analyses, and projections.
- Develop and manage guest lists and request donor demographic information to pull secure mailing lists.
- Develop and maintain professional relationships with donors and prospects through networking at events and provide any necessary follow-up.
Budget and Vendor Management:
- Participates in budget development for special events. Secures bids and negotiates contracts with event sites; monitors and evaluates contract performance.
- Monitors fiscal event planning for permissible expenditures, oversees billing accuracy from vendors and coordinates invoice processing with departmental accounting staff.
- Adhere to USF guidelines and procedures when working with clients on budgets.
Minimum Qualifications:
This position requires a bachelor’s degree in communication, marketing, public relations, hospitality management, business management, digital media, or related field, with two years of experience in related positions; or a master’s degree in the fields listed above; or an equivalent combination of related education and experience.
Degree Equivalency Clause: Four years of direct experience for a bachelor’s degree.
- Senate Bill 1310- The Florida Senate is conditional upon meeting all employment eligibility requirements in the U.S.
- SB 1310: Substitution of Work Experience for Postsecondary Education Requirements.
- A public employer may include a postsecondary degree as a baseline requirement only as an alternative to the number of years of direct experience required, not to exceed:
- (a) Two years of direct experience for an associate degree;
- (b) Four years of direct experience for a bachelor’s degree;
- (c) Six years of direct experience for a master’s degree;
- (d) Seven years of direct experience for a professional degree; or
- (e) Nine years of direct experience for a doctoral degree.
- Related work experience may not substitute for any required licensure, certification, or registration required for the position of employment as established by the public employer and indicated in the advertised description of the position of employment.
- Minimum Qualifications that require a high school diploma are exempt from SB 1310.
Working at USF
With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF‘s rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida’s best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state’s 12 public universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.
About USF
The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF’s Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference.
Compliance and Federal Notices
This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check.
Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws:
The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application process. A request is to be made at least five (5) working days prior to the time the accommodation(s) is needed. Visit the Central Human Resources ADA Accommodations webpage for more information on requesting an accommodation during the application/interview process.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains affirmative action programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws. This job description does not constitute an employment contract.
Organizational Summary:
The USF College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) is committed to excellence across the liberal arts and sciences. With more than 900 full-time faculty and staff across 23 academic departments and schools on all three campuses, the college serves 15,000 undergraduate majors and 1,700 graduate students, while delivering 487,000 semester credit hours annually to students across the university. We are home to 21 research centers and institutes.
Our highly-ranked academic programs are among the best in the country and the world. Our faculty conduct cutting-edge and award-winning research in areas such as cancer cell biology, social media and human experience, bacterial pathogenesis, human dynamics, national security, and religion and health among others. Our degrees are structured so that students have opportunities for learning both inside the classroom and beyond it. The college’s alumni are accomplished and engaged, and they are often recognized by the university in the campus’s young alumni and Fast 56 awards. We are especially proud of the way that the college contributes to USF’s national ranking as 22nd in the country in social mobility, a clear sign of the transformative value of the education we provide.
When it comes to events, the overall goal of the Events Team is to advance the College’s mission by creating, implementing, and maintaining an integrated strategy that ensures the most efficient use of CAS resources.
Position Summary:
The Conference and Event Planner reports directly to the Events Manager and is responsible for coordinating, planning, facilitating and executing multiple events and conferences for the College of Arts and Sciences departments, centers, institutes, and Dean’s office. This position serves as the primary liaison with internal units and external constituents, providing organizational leadership in developing, implementing, and overseeing conferences, workshops, events, and public functions. This work typically requires travel to conferences and event sites working evenings and weekends during conferences and events.
The Conference and Event Planner understands events not just as logistics, but as relationship-building opportunities that strengthen networks and foster lasting engagement.
Events Planning:
- Serves as the primary liaison with internal and external constituencies on all matters relating to events, conferences, as well as donor cultivation/stewardship events. In addition to in-person events, the planner will also plan and coordinate virtual and hybrid events.
- Represents the college with respect to departmental activities on a local, regional, and or national basis.
- Evaluates program and event histories to determine requirements as to space, facilities, technology, equipment, lodging, catering, and on-site management.
- Oversees the overall planning management, and execution surrounding all phases of the event planning process (pre, during, and post) including, but not limited to researching vendors, managing registration, catering, securing venues, tracking budgets, event design, event logistics, hotel room blocks, transportation, running reports, etc.
- Handles basic A/V and technology at events as well as handle the set-up and clean-up at events.
- Coordinates with venues (on and off campus) to adhere to venue policies and ensure compliance by all vendors.
- Oversees, coordinates, and manages activities of volunteers, staff, and students to include training, scheduling work allocation and problem resolution.
- Employs motivational techniques to achieve peak productivity and performance.
- Monitors client approvals throughout all phases of the event planning process.
- Performs other administrative and support duties as required in support of the mission and strategy of the Events Team.
Marketing and Communication:
- Develop necessary collateral (marketing assets) including invitations, flyers, signage, programs, QR codes, event landing pages, etc. for meetings and conferences.
- Researches, develops, and/or edits press releases, articles, and notifications via e-mail for internal and external media publications as appropriate.
- Compiles and reviews statistical data; develops and prepares various ad hoc reports, summaries, analyses, and projections.
- Develop and manage guest lists and request donor demographic information to pull secure mailing lists.
- Develop and maintain professional relationships with donors and prospects through networking at events and provide any necessary follow-up.
Budget and Vendor Management:
- Participates in budget development for special events. Secures bids and negotiates contracts with event sites; monitors and evaluates contract performance.
- Monitors fiscal event planning for permissible expenditures, oversees billing accuracy from vendors and coordinates invoice processing with departmental accounting staff.
- Adhere to USF guidelines and procedures when working with clients on budgets.
Minimum Qualifications:
This position requires a bachelor’s degree in communication, marketing, public relations, hospitality management, business management, digital media, or related field, with two years of experience in related positions; or a master’s degree in the fields listed above; or an equivalent combination of related education and experience.
Degree Equivalency Clause: Four years of direct experience for a bachelor’s degree.
- Senate Bill 1310- The Florida Senate is conditional upon meeting all employment eligibility requirements in the U.S.
- SB 1310: Substitution of Work Experience for Postsecondary Education Requirements.
- A public employer may include a postsecondary degree as a baseline requirement only as an alternative to the number of years of direct experience required, not to exceed:
- (a) Two years of direct experience for an associate degree;
- (b) Four years of direct experience for a bachelor’s degree;
- (c) Six years of direct experience for a master’s degree;
- (d) Seven years of direct experience for a professional degree; or
- (e) Nine years of direct experience for a doctoral degree.
- Related work experience may not substitute for any required licensure, certification, or registration required for the position of employment as established by the public employer and indicated in the advertised description of the position of employment.
- Minimum Qualifications that require a high school diploma are exempt from SB 1310.
Working at USF
With approximately 16,000 employees, the University of South Florida is one of the largest employers in the Tampa Bay area. We are dedicated to cultivating a talented, engaged and driven workforce that strives to be bold. Employees excel in USF‘s rich academic environment, which fosters their development and advancement. In 2025, Forbes recognized USF as one of Florida’s best large employers, ranked No. 1 among the state’s 12 public universities. Our first-class benefits package includes medical, dental and life insurance plans, retirement plan options, employee and dependent tuition programs, generous leave, and hundreds of employee perks and discounts.
About USF
The University of South Florida is a top-ranked research university serving approximately 50,000 students from across the globe at campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota-Manatee and USF Health. USF is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 50 public university and the best value in Florida. U.S. News also ranks the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine as the No. 1 medical school in Florida and in the highest tier nationwide. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), a group that includes only the top 3% of universities in the U.S. With an all-time high of $738 million in research funding in 2024 and as a top 20 public university for producing U.S. patents, USF uses innovation to transform lives and shape a better future. The university generates an annual economic impact of more than $6 billion. USF’s Division I athletics teams compete in the American Athletic Conference.
Compliance and Federal Notices
This position may be subject to a Level 1 or Level 2 criminal background check.
Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws:
The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws.
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Applicants for USF employment are entitled to request reasonable accommodation(s) in the application process. A request is to be made at least five (5) working days prior to the time the accommodation(s) is needed. Visit the Central Human Resources ADA Accommodations webpage for more information on requesting an accommodation during the application/interview process.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of South Florida is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on any characteristic protected by law. The University maintains affirmative action programs for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities in accordance with all applicable federal and state laws. This job description does not constitute an employment contract.
See all H-1B Visa Event Planner Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new H-1B Visa Event Planner Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as an Event Planner
Verify your degree field supports specialty occupation
USCIS requires your degree to relate directly to event planning work. Hospitality management, event management, or communications degrees strengthen your case. A general business degree alone has drawn RFEs in this occupation, so document how your coursework maps to the role.
Target employers with dedicated event departments
Hotels, convention centers, and corporations with in-house event teams file H-1B petitions far more consistently than small independent agencies. Focus your search on employers large enough to have a dedicated HR function and prior sponsorship experience.
Use Migrate Mate to find verified H-1B sponsors
Search Migrate Mate to identify employers who have filed LCAs for Event Planner roles. This filters out companies with no sponsorship history before you invest time in applications, giving you a shortlist of employers already set up to file.
Check prevailing wage requirements before negotiating
Your employer must pay at least the DOL prevailing wage for your metro area before filing your LCA. Look up the wage level for your city using the OFLC Wage Search so you enter salary negotiations with the H-1B floor in mind.
Confirm the employer is registered before the lottery
H-1B cap-subject petitions require USCIS registration in March each year. Ask prospective employers whether they've completed their registration before the window closes, since missing it means waiting a full year for the next cap cycle.
Document your portfolio to answer specialty occupation RFEs
USCIS sometimes issues RFEs questioning whether event planning qualifies as a specialty occupation. Gather degree transcripts, job descriptions from past employers that specify degree requirements, and any professional certifications to preemptively build your petition file.
H-1B Visa Event Planner: Frequently Asked Questions
Does an Event Planner role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
It can, but approval isn't automatic. USCIS requires that the position normally requires a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific field such as hospitality management or event management. Employers who write job descriptions requiring only general experience or any degree field face a higher risk of an RFE. The stronger the degree-to-role alignment in the petition, the cleaner the path to approval.
Which types of employers sponsor H-1B visas for Event Planner positions?
Corporate event departments at large companies, hotel chains, convention and conference centers, and professional associations are the most consistent sponsors. Boutique event agencies rarely have the infrastructure or experience to file. You can browse employers who have filed LCAs for this occupation on Migrate Mate, which filters specifically for companies with verified H-1B filing history in event planning roles.
How does the H-1B lottery affect my timeline as an Event Planner candidate?
Cap-subject H-1B petitions go through a lottery each spring, with USCIS registration open in March. If selected, your employment can begin October 1 of the same year. Because selection isn't guaranteed, it's worth having your employer register you as early as possible and discussing contingency plans for continued work authorization if you aren't selected in a given year.
Can I transfer my H-1B to a new event planning employer mid-status?
Yes. H-1B portability lets you start working for a new employer as soon as they file a transfer petition, without waiting for approval, provided your current status is valid and the new role still qualifies as a specialty occupation. The new employer must file an I-129 with USCIS and certify a new LCA reflecting the wage and working conditions for your new position.
What wage level should I expect my employer to file under for an Event Planner H-1B?
DOL prevailing wages for Event Planners are set at four levels based on experience and supervisory responsibility. Most entry-level H-1B petitions are filed at Level I or II, while senior coordinators or managers typically fall at Level III or IV. You can verify the wage floor for your specific metro area using the OFLC Wage Search before your employer files the LCA.