1. Event Planner Chicago, IL vs. Charlotte, NC

2. Salary for an Event Planner in Chicago: $60,324 Salary for an Event Planner in Charlotte: $57,238

3. Cost of Living in Chicago  Apartment rent: $1,125  Groceries: $305.12  Car payment (Volkswagen Golf): $19,000  Utilities:  Basic(electric, heating, water, garbage): $133.25  Unlimited Internet Data: $43.93  Health Care: $65  State Income Tax:  Mortgage Rate: 0.04%  Cell Phone: $29.95  Beauty Salon: $40  Doctor Visit: $95  Dentist Visit: $100

4. Cost of Living In Charlotte  Apartment Rent: $853  Groceries: $212  Car payment (Volkswagen Golf): $16,750  Utilities:  Basic(electric, heating, water, garbage): $119.47  Unlimited Internet Data: $36.20  Health Care: $25  State Income Tax:  Mortgage Rate: 0.04%  Cell Phone: $31.94  Beauty Salon: $36.50  Doctor Visit: $103.20  Dentist Visit: $86.40

5. ChicagoCharlotte Rent$1,125$853 Groceries305.12212 Car Payment19,00016,750 Basic Utilities133.25119.47 Internet43.9336.20 Health Care6525 State Income Mortgage Rate0.04% Cell Phone29.9531.94 Beauty Salon4036.50 Doctor95103.20 Dentist10086.40 TOTAL $20,937.25$18,253.71

6. Chicago: Salary($60,324) – Cost of Living ($20,937.25) = $39,386.75 Charlotte: Salary($57,238) – Cost of Living ($18,253.71) = $38,984.29

7. I choose Charlotte!  Price difference in Charlotte, NC  Groceries 6%less  Housing 39%less  Utilities 8%more  Transportation 20%less  Health Care 2%less  Moving from Chicago to Charlotte…you take an overall 18.28 % decrease in expenses and still maintain your standard of living.

8. Graduate Degree… If you want to pursue event planning coursework at the graduate level, you'll most likely have to enroll in a tourism and hospitality management program, because event planning graduate certificate programs are rare. Earning a master's degree in event planning can help you stand out to potential employers. According to Salary.com, 69 percent of those in event planning held a bachelor's degree, while 11 percent held a master's degree. Advanced training often comes in the form of a concentration through a hospitality management degree. Hospitality Management: a hospitality degree gives you the food industry insight and management skills that you put at an advantage above other planners -learn about the operations and management facilities (stadiums, arenas, performing arts centers, convention centers, etc.)

9. Years of experience is directly correlated with earnings advancement.

10. FIU Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management  Graduate Program Cost: $23,766

11. 5 Job Titles/Earning Options Associated with Graduation Education: 1.Advertising and Promotions Manager 2.Marketing Managers 3.Public Relations and Fundraising Managers 4.Administrative Services Managers 5.Human Resources Specialists