| Certificate of Completion in
Meeting and Event Planning
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The Program
Meeting and Event Planning is a multi-billion dollar industry,
and corporations are recognizing the need for meeting planners
to hone their skills and to become more proficient at what
they do. Too much money is at stake! Associations raise much
of their yearly operating funds from their annual meeting,
and many non-profit organizations raise a high percentage
of their funds from special events.
There are several associations of Meeting Professionals with
memberships exceeding 25,000 that are dedicated to the education
of meeting and event planners. More and more colleges and
universities are offering certificate programs as well as
degree programs in Meeting and Event Planning.
Location
All classes are offered on the CSUDH campus located at 1000
East Victoria Street in Carson. Meeting and Event Planning
classes are convenient for people living and working in or
near Los Angeles, Torrance, Long Beach, Carson, Compton, El
Segundo, Palos Verdes, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo
Beach, San Pedro, Hawthorne, Gardena, Lakewood, Paramount,
Bellflower, Downey, Inglewood and other parts of the South
Bay and Southern California.
What You Will Learn
Participants of this certificate program will learn about
career opportunities, and mingle with experts in all areas
of meeting and event planning such as convention service managers,
hotel sales managers, audio visual equipment providers and
production company representatives. Participants will also
work together on a project to be presented at the completion
of the program.
Employment Outlook
What positions might this certificate lead to?
• Meeting Manager
• Meeting Coordinator
• Event Manager
• Event Coordinator
• Wedding Planner
• Training Director
• Trade Show Manager
• Incentive Travel Manager
• Corporate Travel Manager
• Marketing Manager
• Public Relations Manager
• Executive Assistant
• Administrative Assistant
• National Sales Manager
• Executive Director
Who Should Attend
• Those whose responsibilities include coordinating
conferences, fairs, weddings, fundraisers, sport programs,
social functions, or other types of events.
• Those individuals considering making a career change
and seeking a comprehen-sive introduction to the field of
Meeting and Event Planning
• Those working in related fields such as entertainment,
lighting, audio/visual, sound, and catering who are looking
for additional knowledge to further their skills and enhance
their competitive edge.
• Those in the hospitality industry who work with meeting
and event planners such as hotel sales and convention service
managers.
Elegibility Requirements
No prerequisites are required for the certificate. Some experience
in meeting and event planning is helpful, but not necessary.
Special Features
All courses are taught by industry professionals, and are
experts at what they do. Our instructors are eager to share
their knowledge, and improve the professionalism of the industry.
The courses are scheduled for Saturdays for the convenience
of working professionals.
Credit
Courses are offered for Continuing Education Units (CEUs).
Nationally recognized standards govern attendance requirements
to earn CEU credit. A permanent record of attendance is established
and students may obtain a copy of their transcripts by calling
the Records Office at (310) 243-3645.
Certificate Requirements
A Certificate of Completion will be awarded upon the completion
of seven required courses, and one elective. Those who do
not wish to pursue a certificate may take individual classes.
All courses provide Continuing Education Units (CEUs).
Courses
Required Courses
Introduction and Fundamentals of Meeting Planning MEX 901
Special Event Management MEX 902
Negotiations and Contracts MEX 903
Site Selection and Inspections MEX 904
Marketing and Promotion Financial Management MEX 905
Food & Beverage Management
Room Set Ups MEX 906
Audio Visual and Technology Today MEX 907
Elective Courses
(Offered Alternate Semesters)
Planning Global and Incentive Meetings MEX 908
Wedding Planning MEX 909
Starting Your Own Business in Meeting and Event Planning NMEP
104 (note: does not count toward certificate)
Advisory Board Members
Barry A. Berlin, Vice President, Sports and Entertainment,
Wolfgang Puck Catering and Events
Claudia Brett, CMP, Director, Convention Center Sales, Los
Angeles Convention Center
Mary Lou Cappel, CSUDH Professor/Coordinator, Recreation &
Leisure Studies/Travel & Tourism, California State University
Dominguez Hills
Linda Hilton, Director of Sales, Hilton Sales Worldwide
Marjorie Y. Risinger, CMP, Partner, Rosenberg & Risinger
Charmaine Wilkerson, Co-owner, "And Here's Lilly"
Marjorie Y. Risinger, CMP, is a partner in Rosenberg &
Risinger, The Meeting Professionals. She has been a meeting
planner for 25 years, and an instructor for Meeting Professionals
International, IAEM, PCMA, HSMAI, and LABTA.
Charmaine Wilkerson owns "And Here's Lilly", a
full event production company specializing in corporate and
social events. She has been on the management team of the
last three Presidential Inaugurations, the Opening of the
Reagan Library, and the Oscars and Emmy's Governor's Ball.
Gary Rosenberg, CMP, is a partner in Rosenberg & Risinger,
The Meeting Professionals and has 20 years of industry experience.
He serves on the Board of Directors of the Southwest &
Pacific Chapter of the Professional Convention Mgmt. Assoc.,
is a past president of the Southern California Chapter of
Meeting Professionals International.
Carroll Reuben, holds the Certificate in Meeting Management
designation (CMM). She has been a corporate event director
for more than 25 years, specializing in high technology events
and trade shows. She received the MPI Global Paragon Award
for the Best Meetings in 2000.
Michael Herman has managed audiovisual departments of the
finest hotels in Los Angeles and Santa Monica.
Marla Harr, CMP, was the winner of MPI's 2000 Global Paragon
Award for excellence in meeting planning. She has over 12
years experience in wedding consulting, special events and
meeting planning.
David W. Finch, CMP is Manager of Meetings & Trade Shows
at Amgen, Inc. in Thousand Oaks, CA with 19 years experience
as an association, independent and corporate meeting planner.
He is a certified meeting professional (CMP) and has planned
meetings, trade shows, and special events in over 30 countries
in North and South America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
He is serving his fourth term on the board of directors of
Meeting Professionals International Southern California Chapter.
Introduction and Fundamentals of Meeting Planning
.6 CEUs
This course will answer the following questions: How can I
become a meeting professional and what are my opportunities?
What types of jobs are available? Should I work for myself
or someone else? What salary can I expect to make?
This course will also provide an overview of the industry,
and information regarding resources, professional organizations,
and career possibilities.
Learn the step-by-step plans to assure that your meeting fits
the needs of the audience, creates an environment for learning,
stays within budget, and remains on time. This class will
not only explain the process, but will provide quick tips
for success with identifying goals and objectives, developing
timelines and budgets, and establishing a meeting design.
You will learn to write specifications for the venue, establish
registration procedures, and manage and evaluate the event.
Site Selection and Inspections
.6 CEUs
Choosing the right site for an event or meeting is an acquired
skill. In this course you will learn how to conduct the site
inspection, which will result in the selection of a suitable
venue. Resources that are available for selecting sites will
be discussed, as will the steps required to write the RFP.
Note: This class is held off-campus, and students
must check with registration at 310.243.3729 regarding the
location.
Special Event Management
.6 CEUs
This course will provide you with tools to improve the effectiveness
of your special events. Develop your skills as an Event Manager
as you identify the potential challenges to a successful event
and select appropriate solutions.
You will be provided with essential information for success
for developing profitable planning strategies, identifying
event goals and objectives, working with planning committees,
and managing volunteers. You will learn to improve catering
quality while maintaining budgets, and how to market your
event.
Negotiations and Contracts
.6 CEUs
To obtain the best contract, it is necessary to learn to negotiate
skillfully. This course will help you identify what is negotiable,
and how to ask for what your client needs. Specifically, contract
clauses and liability issues will be discussed.
Marketing and Promotion/Financial Management
.6 CEUs
This course will teach you the basics of how to market your
event and how to manage your finances. You will learn to set
timelines for meeting promotion, how to establish the budget
and cash flow, and how to set registration fees. Types of
promotional materials will be discussed, as well as important
tips for working with designers, typesetters, and printers.
Audio Visual and Technology Today
.6 CEUs
Knowledge of audio visual technology has become more critical
in this age of computers and electronics. You will learn about
the technology which is available, and how to use the equipment
effectively. Topics such as teleconferencing, multimedia,
and the planning of successful productions will be discussed.
Food and Beverage Management/Room Set Ups
.6 CEUs
Food and beverages are essential to making an event a success,
as is an appropriate room set up. In this course you will
learn to work with the catering department to develop exciting
and healthy menus, and how to determine the appropriate set
up of a room. Tips and tricks for staying within the budget,
and the importance of record keeping will be discussed.
Wedding Planning
.6 CEUs
Planning a wedding can be a stressful time for brides, grooms,
and their families. This course is designed on five proven
planning steps. It is the process, the smooth and timely completion
of these steps that ensures a successful and perfect wedding
day.
• Designing the wedding
• Develop a workable budget
• Guidelines for vendor selection
• Planning: creating a "to do list" and wedding
weekend agenda
Starting Your Own Business in Event Management
This course is for entrepreneur meeting planners who want
to start their own business.
Points covered will include:
• Legal and accounting requirements
• Insurance, Marketing; Technology and Communications
• Services and Fees
A wealth of information and interaction will provide essential
ingredients to a successful business.
(Note: This course does not count towards the Certificate
of Completion in Meeting and Event Planning.)
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