Event Coordinator Jobs in Atlanta: How to Break Into the City’s Event Scene

Atlanta is one of the Southeast’s biggest hubs for conventions, concerts, festivals, corporate meetings, and weddings—which means event coordinator jobs in Atlanta are in steady demand. If you’re organized, people-focused, and thrive under pressure, Atlanta can be an excellent place to build an event career.

This guide walks you through what event coordinator roles look like specifically in Atlanta, where the jobs are, what employers expect, local training options, and how to stand out when you’re applying.

What Does an Event Coordinator Do in Atlanta?

In Atlanta, an event coordinator usually helps plan and run:

• Corporate meetings and conferences (especially in Downtown and Midtown)
• Trade shows and expos at major venues
• Concerts, festivals, and cultural events
• Nonprofit fundraisers and galas
• Weddings and social events (common in intown neighborhoods and surrounding metro)
• University events and alumni gatherings
• Sports-related events around major games and tournaments

Typical responsibilities include:

• Logistics: booking venues, arranging catering, audio/visual setup, décor, transportation
• Vendor management: coordinating with florists, photographers, entertainers, rental companies
• Client communication: confirming details, timelines, budgets, and expectations
• Day-of coordination: running the timeline, solving problems, checking in vendors
• Administrative work: contracts, invoices, event schedules, guest lists

In Atlanta, work often centers around key venues such as Georgia World Congress Center, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, State Farm Arena, Cobb Galleria Centre, and numerous hotels and event spaces in Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, and the Perimeter area.

Types of Event Coordinator Jobs in Atlanta

1. Corporate & Convention Event Coordinator

These roles are common because Atlanta is a major convention and business travel city.

You might work for:

• Large corporations with offices in Midtown, Buckhead, or Perimeter
• Convention centers like Georgia World Congress Center (285 Andrew Young International Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313)
• Hotels with conference space (Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, near Hartsfield–Jackson Airport)
• Meeting planning agencies

Core focus:

• Planning meetings, trainings, product launches, and conferences
• Managing out-of-town attendee logistics (hotels, transportation from the airport)
• Working closely with sales and marketing teams

2. Hotel & Venue Event Coordinator

Many Atlanta hotels and event venues have in-house coordinators, often called:

• Event coordinator
• Catering sales coordinator
• Banquet coordinator
• Wedding and social events coordinator

You might be based at:

• Downtown hotels near Centennial Olympic Park
• Midtown conference hotels
• Buckhead hotels and private clubs
• Event venues in West Midtown, Old Fourth Ward, Grant Park, or along the BeltLine

Your work typically includes:

• Selling event packages
• Coordinating room setups, menus, and audio/visual
• Serving as the point person between the client and hotel operations teams

3. Wedding & Social Event Coordinator

Atlanta has a busy wedding and social event market, especially in:

• Intown neighborhoods (Inman Park, Virginia-Highland, Westside, Old Fourth Ward)
• Popular wedding venues across metro Atlanta (Alpharetta, Roswell, Decatur, Marietta)

You may work:

• For an independent wedding planning company
• For a venue that hosts weddings
• As a self-employed planner or day-of coordinator

This path often involves:

• Multiple client meetings
• Detailed timelines and décor plans
• Weekend and evening work, especially Saturdays

4. Nonprofit & University Event Coordinator

Atlanta has a large nonprofit and higher education presence.

Common employers include:

• Universities: Georgia State University, Georgia Tech, Emory University, Clark Atlanta University, Spelman College, Morehouse College
• Nonprofits and cultural institutions: museums, arts centers, foundations, advocacy organizations

Types of events:

• Fundraising galas, luncheons, and 5K races
• Community outreach events
• Alumni events and campus programs

These roles typically blend event work with fundraising, marketing, or community relations.

5. Sports & Entertainment Event Coordinator

Atlanta is home to:

• Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta Hawks, Atlanta United FC, Atlanta Braves
• Major venues like Mercedes-Benz Stadium, State Farm Arena, and Truist Park
• Numerous music venues and theaters

Event coordinators here might help with:

• Game-day hospitality and VIP experiences
• Fan events, festivals, and concerts
• Corporate sponsorship activations

These roles are competitive and often require experience plus strong flexibility for nights, weekends, and holidays.

Skills Atlanta Employers Look For

Most Atlanta employers hiring event coordinators tend to look for:

• Strong organization and time management
• Excellent communication (email, phone, in-person)
• Comfort with fast-paced, high-pressure environments
• Customer service and conflict resolution skills
• Ability to work nights, weekends, and holidays when needed
• Basic budgeting and negotiation skills
• Familiarity with tools like:
  • Microsoft Office or Google Workspace
  • Event software (registration platforms, CRM tools, project management apps)
  • Social media, especially if promotion is part of the role

For roles related to conventions or corporate events, local familiarity with Atlanta traffic, neighborhoods, hotels, and venues can be a big plus.

Education and Certifications Helpful in Atlanta

You don’t always need a degree to get started, but education can help you stand out in the Atlanta market—especially for corporate, higher education, and convention roles.

Common Education Paths

• Bachelor’s degree in:
  • Hospitality management
  • Marketing
  • Business administration
  • Communications
  • Public relations

Relevant local programs include:

• Georgia State University – hospitality, marketing, business degrees
  Atlanta Campus: 33 Gilmer St SE, Atlanta, GA 30303
• Georgia State University – Cecil B. Day School of Hospitality (often connected with hotel and event careers)
• Georgia Tech – business and marketing-related programs
  225 North Ave NW, Atlanta, GA 30332
• Kennesaw State University and Georgia Gwinnett College – hospitality and business degrees (short drive from Atlanta)

Helpful Certifications

You may see these in job postings:

• Certified Meeting Professional (CMP)
• Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP)
• Wedding planning certifications from recognized industry groups

Certifications are usually not required for entry-level roles but can be an advantage once you have some experience.

Where to Find Event Coordinator Jobs in Atlanta

1. General Job Boards

Most people in Atlanta start with major job search sites and filter by:

• Job title keywords: “event coordinator,” “event planner,” “meeting planner,” “special events coordinator,” “catering coordinator”
• Location: Atlanta, GA (include nearby cities like Decatur, Marietta, Sandy Springs, Alpharetta if you’re open to commuting)

You’ll see listings from:

• Hotels and resorts
• Corporations
• Universities
• Nonprofits
• Event planning agencies
• Sports and entertainment companies

2. Hospitality and Events Networks

Many local hospitality and event jobs are shared within professional networks and groups, such as:

• Hospitality associations
• Local event planner meetups
• Industry networking events held at hotels or venues

These groups often host in-person mixers, panels, and job-focused events around Midtown, Downtown, or Buckhead, where you can connect directly with hiring managers.

3. University and Government Job Boards

For university event coordinator roles, check:

• Georgia State University, Georgia Tech, Emory, and the Atlanta University Center schools’ official HR/careers pages.

For city or county event roles (e.g., parks events, civic programs), visit:

• City of Atlanta – Department of Parks and Recreation
  233 Peachtree St NE, Suite 1700, Harris Tower, Atlanta, GA 30303
  Main city line: (404) 330-6000 (ask to be directed to Parks and Recreation for event-related positions)

These jobs may be listed under titles like:

• “Special events coordinator”
• “Recreation programs coordinator”
• “Community engagement coordinator”

4. Direct Outreach to Venues and Hotels

Atlanta’s many venues often have event teams in-house. You can look for careers pages or contact HR for places like:

• Large hotels in Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, and near the Airport
• Conference centers (e.g., Georgia World Congress Center, Cobb Galleria Centre)
• Popular wedding venues and event spaces

Dropping off a resume in person, especially at smaller venues, can still be effective.

Typical Event Coordinator Employers in the Atlanta Area

Here’s a quick overview of common employer categories and what to expect:

Experience: How to Get Started If You’re New

If you’re in Atlanta and don’t yet have professional experience, you still have options to build a portfolio.

1. Start with Internships or Assistant Roles

Look for roles titled:

• “Event assistant”
• “Events intern”
• “Catering assistant”
• “Banquet server” (often a good entry point into hotel event departments)

Large hotels, universities, and nonprofits in Atlanta commonly use these roles as training grounds for future coordinators.

2. Volunteer for Local Events

Atlanta hosts many events that rely on volunteers, such as:

• Community festivals and neighborhood events (e.g., Inman Park Festival, Virginia-Highland events, local art walks)
• Nonprofit 5Ks, galas, and fundraisers
• Cultural festivals around the metro

Volunteering helps you:

• Understand how events run behind the scenes
• Meet event professionals and vendors
• Build credible experience for your resume

3. Get Experience on Campus

If you’re a student at Georgia State, Georgia Tech, or another local college:

• Join student organizations that host events
• Help plan campus programs, conferences, or cultural nights
• Seek student jobs in student affairs, alumni relations, or campus events offices

These experiences count when applying for entry-level event coordinator jobs in Atlanta.

Typical Pay and Work Conditions in Atlanta

Pay can vary depending on employer type, your experience, and whether you’re full-time, part-time, or contract.

Common patterns in Atlanta:

• Entry-level coordinators may start at modest salaries or hourly rates, especially at smaller venues or nonprofit organizations.
• Corporate, convention, and hotel roles often offer more structured pay and, sometimes, performance-based bonuses tied to event sales.
• Wedding and freelance work can be variable, with income depending on the number and size of events you book.

Work conditions to expect:

• Irregular hours: evenings, weekends, and early mornings are routine during event season.
• On-your-feet work: lots of walking, standing, and lifting light to medium items.
• Busy seasons: spring and fall are often especially intense for weddings, festivals, and conferences in Atlanta.

How to Make Your Resume Stand Out in Atlanta

When applying to event coordinator jobs in Atlanta, highlight:

• Local experience: name Atlanta venues, neighborhoods, or organizations you’ve worked with.
• Specific responsibilities: timelines you’ve managed, guest counts, budget ranges (even if approximate).
• Transferable skills: customer service, project management, sales, or marketing experience from other roles.
• Event software: any experience with registration tools, CRM systems, or project management apps.

Tips:

• Use clear bullet points to describe your event-related tasks.
• Include any Atlanta-based volunteering or campus events prominently.
• If you know the city well (traffic patterns, areas, typical vendors), briefly mention this as an asset.

Networking and Professional Development in Atlanta

Building a network is especially important in Atlanta’s event scene.

Consider:

• Attending networking events at local hotels or coworking spaces (common in Midtown, Buckhead, and West Midtown)
• Participating in industry mixers, panel talks, and training sessions hosted by hospitality and events groups
• Connecting with Atlanta event professionals on professional networking platforms and following local venues and organizations

You can also look into:

• Continuing education classes related to event planning, hospitality, or project management at area colleges or adult education centers
• Workshops hosted by local business groups or chambers of commerce in your area of metro Atlanta

Is an Event Coordinator Job in Atlanta Right for You?

You may be a good fit for Atlanta event coordinator jobs if:

• You like busy, fast-moving environments
• You enjoy problem-solving under pressure
• You’re comfortable with nontraditional work hours
• You’re energized by meeting new people and working on different types of events
• You’re willing to start in entry-level or assistant roles and grow into larger responsibilities

With Atlanta’s mix of corporate headquarters, universities, convention business, sports, and a strong wedding and social scene, there are many paths into event work. If you build local experience, stay organized, and actively network across the city’s venues and organizations, you can find real opportunities to grow a long-term event coordination career here.