Meeting & Event Planning Certificate

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Certificate of Completion in Meeting & Event Planning

Course Schedule & Descriptions

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Revised for 2022!

About Meeting and Event Planning

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.  

About the Meeting and Event Planning Program

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.   

By the end of the program, students will be able to:

• Evaluate the goals and objectives of an event
• Determine the most appropriate venue, resource potential sites and conduct site inspections
• Create a detailed event budget that meets the goals and objectives of the event, determine the cost per head, the bottom line and potential profit factors
• Evaluate and negotiate venue contracts
• Research, negotiate and retain vendors for entertainment, special equipment, transportation and photography and other ancillary services
• Perform menu planning and caterer selection and understand dietary requirements
• Determine audiovisual requirements including broadband connectivity and lighting
• Understand and confirm that all safety, licensing, and insurance requirements are met
• Develop a marketing plan to include Internet/website development and social media presence.
• Plan and execute successful events during in an ever-changing environment and planning for the unexpected  

Features

Instructor Expertise – Interactive – Presentations – Industry Speakers – Hotel Visit  

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 checklists 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.   

Associated Luxury Hotels International (ALHI) is partnering with us to provide students with a hands-on, behind the scenes experience.

What You Will Learn 

Session Topics   

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:  

• Identify and formulate event goals and objectives 
• Establish a meeting design and create a program outline  
• Develop timelines 
• Identify, communicate with, and manage internal and external stakeholders 
• Identify and measure risks, develop and implement procedures for mitigation 
• Manage aspects such as audio visual, food and beverage, room set-up, and design 
• Explore opportunities and professional/career aspects  
• Understand how to execute virtual and hybrid events  
• Determine the most appropriate venue, research potential sites and conduct site inspections 
• Create a detailed event budget that meets the goals and objectives of the event, determine the cost per head, the bottom line and potential profit factors 
• Evaluate, negotiate and implement vendor and venue contracts 
• Plan and execute successful events during in an ever-changing environment and planning for the unexpected  

Who Should Attend

Individuals who should attend include:

• Individuals who coordinate meetings, conferences, weddings, fundraisers, sport programs, social functions, or other types of events who seek to strengthen their skills and keep up with the latest industry developments and best practices
• Individuals who are considering making a career change and seeking a comprehensive introduction to the field of Meeting and Event Planning
• Employees of the hospitality industry, such as hotel sales and convention service managers, who work with meeting and event planners
• Those who work 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
• Professionals working in other fields and positions requiring event planning skills   
  • Positions include: Executive Assistants; Administrative Assistants; Project Managers; Account Managers; Service Managers; Operations Managers
  • Professional fields include: Human Resources; Public Relations; Training and Development; Advertising and Promotions; Administrative Services; Facilities Management; Community and Social Services; Fundraising; Health Education; Business Development

Eligibility Requirements

No prerequisites are required for the certificate.

Careers in Event Planning: Employment Outlook

• Meeting Planner
• Event Director
• Meeting Coordinator
• Wedding Planner
• Special Event Planner
• Destination Management Planner
• Corporate Planner
• Association Planner
• Independent Meeting Planner

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 

Certificate Requirements

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 CEIE 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/.

Materials

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. 

Meeting & Event Planning Class Locations

The course sessions are scheduled on Saturdays 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.