The field of meeting planning and event development continues to grow as more collaborative approaches are implemented in the workplace. The Fundamentals of Meeting Planning and Event Development Certificate program enables participants to build the skills and knowledge to help clients or internal corporate departments orchestrate an effective, comprehensive meeting event to meet goals and objectives.
Every meeting, convention, and event is a complex affair with multiple details that require attention. Whether the event in question is a business conference, a wedding, an art exhibit, a concert, a banquet, or a book signing, the planning stages may take weeks or even months depending on the number of people attending and the elaborateness of the venue and activities. To make sure the event runs smoothly, a planner is tasked with coordinating each step of the process from beginning to end. Before the event takes place, they will meet with the client to confirm basic details such as dates, times, locations, budgets, and the size of the audience. The planner then books and coordinates the venue, service providers, transportation, accommodations, and other critical elements. The planner often monitors the event to make sure the client is satisfied, and then audits bills and invoices from the various providers afterward.
The U.S. Department of Labor projects a huge demand for meeting, convention, and event planners in the near future, with the employment rate skyrocketing 33% between 2012 and 2022. Companies with offices spread throughout the country—and sometimes throughout the world—still recognize the value of face-to-face communication at meetings and conferences. Non-profit organizations need planners to coordinate their various charity events, and government agencies seek out planners familiar with state and federal regulations to help organize their meetings. Combined with the enormous amount of events related to art, literature, music, and theatre, the opportunities for meeting, convention, and event planners should remain plentiful for years to come.
Program outcomes include: assessing client needs and developing effective event objectives and goals; understanding current meeting planning trends and technologies; designing, planning, and coordinating meetings and events; analyzing the business side of meetings and events; managing the logistics of a meeting or event; and evaluating the effectiveness of the meeting.
During the course of the program, each student will create an ePortfolio of their completed assignments to showcase program learning and program outcome mastery. This is a valuable tool to demonstrate professional skills and knowledge to current or potential employers.
The online format gives students the freedom to work at their own pace, navigating through modules of content that build on topics presented in the program’s required textbooks. By reviewing custom-curated articles, websites, and other electronic materials, students will expand their knowledge and gain an understanding of current applications in the business sector. Interactive study tools allow students to review key terms and topics prior to written and objective assessments, and practice quizzes increase skill development and prepare students for module tests.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE OPTIONS
DISPLAY YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS WITH OUR CAREER AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT BADGES The Division of Continuing and International Education’s mission is to empower people to reach their full potential through lifelong and lifewide learning. Revolutionary learning experiences are created for our students to ensure that we meet the demands of the ever-changing economy. We continuously measure our programs’ core competencies, instruction, quality, standards, and service. The continuing education landscape has elevated an era of innovation and disruption and as such, the Office of Professional Advancement has instituted a badging system. Graduates of our programs will be able to virtually display a badge, which showcases their new skillset to prospective employers and professional colleagues. How does it Work? Badges are earned by successfully completing a certificate program through the Office of Professional Advancement. * Upon completion, you will receive an email with instructions on how to collect your badge. Once collected, you can display your badge on social media sites like LinkedIn. Any potential employer will be able to click on the badge for a list of specific skills associated with the respective certificate received. *Please call us for a list of approved programs. For more information about our career and professional development badging, please call us at 305-284-4000.