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Event Management is a multi-billion dollar industry, growing rapidly, with conferences, meetings, trade shows, exhibitions, and social events hosted regularly all over the world. Recent events have rendered big changes, but the industry continues to adapt and is going strong—be it learning and using new virtual platforms or reviewing plans for return to in person meetings.
In addition, many professional roles and responsibilities require meeting planning skills. Careers in Human Resources and public relations are just two examples of industries that utilize events to meet company goals.
The Meeting and Event Planning Certificate program at California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) is designed to teach the fundamental yet critical skills necessary to produce a successful meeting, conference, or event. The curriculum strengthens the skills of those already working in the industry; it caters not only to those seeking a profession in Meeting and Event Planning, but also to those needing to plan any function within their organization.
The Meeting and Event Planning Program at CSUDH provides an overview of the industry and information regarding resources, professional organizations, and career possibilities. Each session will provide in depth information in the critical aspects of event planning thereby providing students with a sound basis upon which to decide on their direction in the profession and successfully plan events.
For those seeking careers in the hospitality industry, this program provides a broad awareness of multiple career possibilities. The information provided in this program will also benefit those who want to plan social events such as weddings, gala dinners and networking events. As an added benefit, the program provides essential Continuing Education Units (CEU) for those seeking industry designations.
By the end of this program, the successful student will possess the critical skills needed to successfully plan and implement meetings, events, training and development sessions, and company functions. These skills include budgeting, negotiations, contracts, and management.
In this interactive hybrid (live online/in-person) instructor-led program, participants will be equipped with knowledge and tools such as templates, case studies, and check lists to apply to real-life experiences such as social as well as corporate events. Group activities, projects and simulations enable students to amass hands-on experience, as well as portfolio pieces. Each session includes time to work on the project component associated with that session’s topics.
The program will also give participants the opportunity to practice and demonstrate their comprehension of program materials and presentation skills. Using the meeting planning tools taught, students will prepare and present an event plan for a social or corporate function, including its implementation and management. Presentations will be made to the program instructors and a guest panel of industry experts.
In addition to professional expertise of the program instructors, guest speakers (industry experts) will be included in various sessions to provide additional perspective and knowledge.
Hyatt Regency LAX is partnering with us to provide students with a hands-on, behind-the-scenes experience.
Session 1: Planning Basics, Leadership and People Management
Session 2: Financial and Contract Management
Session 3: RFP and RFQ Process
Session 4: Risk Management, Marketing and Public Relations
Session 5: Facilities and Services
Session 6: Career Planning Using Event and Program Management Skills
Session 7: Group Capstone Project Presentations
By the end of the program, students will be able to:
Individuals who should attend include:
No prerequisites are required for the certificate.
Employment of meeting, event, and convention planners is expected to grow 18% over the 2020-30 decade, which is faster than the average for all occupations. As businesses and organizations become increasingly international, meetings and conventions become even more important. In the next 10 years it is anticipated that there will be 22,100 more jobs added to the profession.
—U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
This program provides Continuing Education Units (CEUs), and is graded on a Credit (CR) / No Credit (NC) basis. Nationally recognized standards govern attendance requirements to earn CEU credit. Students must attend and complete all 7 sessions of the program and the team project to receive a Credit. Students will be evaluated based on their attendance, class participation, and the completion of team project.
A Certificate of Completion will be awarded upon the completion of the program. The program certificate may be requested via CCPE Certificate Request online application. The certificate includes both a digital certificate link and a printed physical certificate. A permanent record of attendance is established and students may obtain a copy of their transcript by visiting https://www.csudh.edu/registrar/request-transcript/.
All course materials are included.
Note: This program utilizes Blackboard, our campus LMS (learning management system); be sure to get your password and instructions on how to access MyCSUDH when you register.
The course sessions are scheduled on Saturday s for the convenience of working professionals; sessions are hybrid live-online with two in-person sessions – view schedule for details. The Meeting and Event Planning program is are convenient for people living and working in or near Los Angeles, Torrance, Long Beach, Carson, Cerritos, Compton, Culver City, El Segundo, Lomita, Harbor City, Palos Verdes, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, San Pedro, Lawndale, Hawthorne, Gardena, Westchester, Ladera Heights, Lakewood, Paramount, Bellflower, Downey, Inglewood, Wilmington, and other parts of the South Bay and Southern California.
DeShawn Wynn, CMP has more than 20 years of experience in the meeting and event industry. She has executed events for education, non-profit, corporate, religious and government agencies. In 2010, DeShawn established Wynning Touch Event Design — a company that specializes in strategic planning and content design. DeShawn has volunteered for many industry organizations, and served on the board of the Southern California Chapter of Meeting Professionals International (MPISCC) for three years.
Connect with Ms. Wynn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/deshawnwynn/ ►
Christina LeRubio, MA, CMP, brings over 15 years of successful experience in event and meeting planning, with an emphasis in event fundraising, community outreach and program management. A Certified Meeting Professional (CMP), Christina holds Master of Arts in Social Entrepreneurship and Change from Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology, and received her B.S. in Business Administration from the University of California, Riverside. Since 2015, she has been the Director of Operations for Executive Education at Pepperdine Graziadio Business School. Christina was formerly the Manager of Event Development for the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, Academic Affairs Event Manager at the Graziadio School, and also held several marketing roles.
Connect with Ms. LeRubio:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinalerubio/ ►
http://www.conventionindustry.org
"The Meeting and Event Planning Certificate is that ‘extra’ that sets you apart from others who are pursuing the same things as you… such as a job, or even a volunteer position. The program is very informative – more so than you would expect – and it gives you real-world connections."
Aja R., Meeting & Event Planning Student
"I was able to immediately apply the skills learned and materials provided to benefit me in my current employment."
Isela B., Meeting & Event Planning Student
"If you're interested in changing careers and want to pursue event planning, CSUDH Extended Education classes are the way to go."
Meeting & Event Planning Student
A Certificate of Completion is awarded upon successful completion of the required courses.
Note: Once you have completed all the required courses, you may request your certificate via our online application. The processing time is approximately 6-8 weeks from the time of submission, and includes both a digital certificate link and a printed physical certificate.
Apply to Receive the Certificate ►
Coming Soon...
CSUDH College of Continuing and Professional Education is continuing to provide quality programs during the current COVID-19 health situation. In the interest of safety, our office prefers communication via online and phone communications; we are answering questions via phone, LiveChat on our website, and via email at learn@csudh.edu. We do experience high call volumes in our Registration Office during peak call times (8am-11am), and are less busy in the afternoon.
For more information, visit the CSUDH Toros Together website. We thank you for your patience & understanding during this time, and stay safe!
There are no prerequisites for enrollment and no admission process.
When you're ready to register for courses, call 310-243-3741 (Option 1). If you have previously taken a class at CSUDH, you can register at myCSUDH (https://my.csudh.edu) using your CSUDH account.
The deadline to enroll for courses for most certificate programs is FOUR (4) BUSINESS DAYS or earlier before the class begins; please check the Course Schedule for the program to ensure that you can enroll on time.
Have other questions?
Check this program's FAQs (if provided), or simply call 310-243-2075, email learn@csudh.edu, or use our LiveChat ↘ to ask questions or leave a detailed message regarding this program.