Course Schedule & Descriptions
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Event Management is a multi-billion dollar industry, growing rapidly, with conferences, meetings, trade shows 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.
The Meeting and Event Planning Program at CSUDH provides an overview of the industry and information regarding resources, professional organizations, and career possibilities. Each specific course 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.
Given the changes in society over the past year, the meeting and planning industry has changed dramatically. Our program will address the fundamentals and key planning tools in the industry, as well as new practices and considerations related to unexpected events.
In this interactive program, participants will be equipped with knowledge and tools to apply to real life experiences such as templates, case studies, checklists. Group activities, projects and simulations enable students to amass hands-on experience, as well as portfolio pieces.
The program has been updated to include virtual meeting topics such as:
By the end of the program, students will be able to:
Individuals who should attend include:
No prerequisites are required for the certificate. Some experience in meeting and event planning is helpful, but not necessary.
Employment of meeting, event, and convention planners is expected to grow 7% over the 2018-28 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 9,600 more jobs added to the profession. - U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
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. Most classes are offered on the CSUDH campus located at 1000 East Victoria Street in Carson. Some classes will be held off campus as indicated. 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) 243-3621.
A Certificate of Completion will be awarded upon the completion of eight 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). Students who begin the Meeting and Event Planning program in Spring 2017 or later will take MEX 910 as a required course to earn the Meeting and Event Planning Certificate. Students who began the program prior to Spring 2017 will have the option to take the course but it will not be a requirement to earn the certificate.
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. Please log on to Blackboard, print the handouts for Week 1 and bring them to class. All course materials for Meeting and Event Planning are in Blackboard.
Please register for each course at least 1 week in advance to access your materials.
All classes are current offered live via Zoom. Meeting and Event Planning classes 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.
Out of work and need training? This program is approved for funding through the Workforce Investment and Opportunity Act. Visit the America's Job Center website for more information.
Liese Gardner is the owner of Liese Gardner Communications, a marketing and brand strategy firm specializing in creative businesses, from local lifestyle clientele to special event producers and designers across the United States. Her early career as a magazine editor instilled in her a passion for pinpointing the interesting stories that exist within a business. It’s a skill that she uses for her clients to create content across all platforms that connects brands to their ideal audience.
Connect with Ms. Gardner:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/liese-gardner-2546315/ ►
Marla Harr, CMP, has more than eighteen years of experience in wedding planning, special events and meeting management. Prior to her move to the meeting industry, she was an executive in retail training and development and IT. She is owner of “Celebrations By Design” and “Business Etiquette International”, Marla is a graduate of Ohio State University and is certified by the Protocol School of Washington® as a business etiquette and international protocol consultant and trainer.
Connect with Ms. Harr:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/marlaharr/ ►
Michael Herman has managed audiovisual departments of the finest hotels in Los Angeles and Santa Monica. As an AV Director he has providing audiovisual services for every conceivable event in addition to working in theater, television and film, including stints at NBC and Universal Studios. Michael has an AA in broadcasting, a BA in broadcasting, and an MBA in Management of the Arts.
Connect with Mr. Herman:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-herman-80963a5a/ ►
Haley Powers, CMP is a Meeting Professional industry expert in sales with over 30 years experience
Connect with Ms. Powers:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/haley-powers-cmp-3128484/ ►
Clint Upchurch is Regional Sales Manager at PRA Business Events
Connect with Mr. Upchurch:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/clint-upchurch/ ►
Charmaine Wilkerson is the Director of the Executive Presentation Center for Hewlett Packard. She has been on the management team of three Presidential Inaugurations, the Opening of the Reagan Library, and the Oscars and Emmy's Governor's Ball.
Connect with Ms. Wilkerson:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/charmainewilkerson/ ►
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/ ►
http://www.conventionindustry.org
"Really love classes and its professors; having taken the Site Selection Class at the Loews Hollywood was a real live experience... Really grateful for everything learned so far and looking forward for the remaining classes." Karen Y. Tejeda
"I loved each class and had key take-aways every week.This was a huge boost to my knowledge base." Cindee D.
"Thank you for another jam-packed and fabulous session in the Event Planning Course. Budgets don't have to be intimidating. It just requires a lot of thought and precision. I appreciate your insights and was happy to walk away with some information to add to my bag. Cynthia J.
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 ►
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).
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.
1000 E. Victoria Street
Carson, CA 90747
310-243-3696
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