Event Management

 

Program Highlights

Designed for the business, marketing, tourism, hotel management or arts graduate this dynamic program provides the training and experience to enter the growing live events industry on a global level.

With in-class training, experiential projects and networking activities the courses in this program are:

• designed to equip the student with a high degree of skill transferability and career flexibility across a broad range of industries and event types
• applicable to any live event including corporate sales meetings, product launches, association educational conferences, incentive travel programs, public events and community based festivals and celebratory events
• strategic in nature and broad in scope covering everything from initial program concept to final evaluation tactics necessary for any successful live event
• team-oriented, customer-interactive and project-driven, all guided by a faculty mentor

Applied industry experience is the cornerstone of the program and students will have the opportunity to deliver actual live events for external clients. The faculty for this program are not only some of the most travelled, experienced and respected in the industry several are still actively planning and delivering events all over the world!  In other words, they are potential employers and mentors.

 

 

What it Takes to Succeed

• natural curiosity
• detail-oriented
• extremely organized
• exceptional communicator
• conceptual thinker
• solution-oriented

 

Career Opportunities

The live event industry continues to grow with all market reports projecting both increases in budgets and number of meetings held.  Comparatively, there is a critical shortage of qualified entry and intermediate level talent. 

The opportunities for graduates span all industries, geographical regions and work situations.  Depending on what you want out of your career the live events business could find you deeply entrenched in the economic growth of a community through festivals and public events or planning and executing meetings and conferences all over the world for one or many corporations.  

Who would you work for?  Associations, corporations, governments, communities, marketing services firms, event planning companies or even for yourself as a freelance meeting planner.

 

Minimum Admission Requirements

• An Ontario College Diploma or a university degree.
• Applicants with relevant experience who do not meet the minimum academic requirements will be considered on an individual basis by the coordinator.

 

Selection Process

Course	Hours
Semester 1
Applied Event Management Project I	60.00
Communications and Media	45.00
Concept, Strategy, and Program Development	60.00
Event Resource Development	45.00
Financial and Business Management	45.00
Program Operations	60.00
Semester 2
Applied Event Management Project II	105.00
Effectiveness Measurement	45.00
Production and Staging	60.00
Site Selection, Contracting and Management	45.00
Sponsorship and Fundraising	45.00

Semester 1

Applied Event Management Project I

Course Number: APST085

This course provides experiential learning opportunities for the student in the planning and managing of events and will focus on volunteer opportunities with local public events organizers, association conference planners, third party planning companies and industry related associations.

Units: 60.00
Hours: 60.00

Communications and Media

Course Number: MKTG084

This course develops communication skills, public and community relations, and media planning skills required for the planning of events. Focus is placed on communications, media relations, strategic planning, branding, image, promotion and publicity, direct selling, and advertising.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Concept, Strategy, and Program Development

Course Number: MGMT116

This course develops the students' ability to identify the core objectives for the staging of an event and to develop a program that meets those objectives in an effective, measurable way. One of the keys to good program development is creating a vision for the event that aligns with the organization's strategic priorities. Students are involved in the many tasks involved in successful event program planning and organizing. This planning requires comprehensive understanding of how to complete a needs assessment, implementation measures, scope of the program, branding for the event, and development of clear goals and objectives.

Units: 60.00
Hours: 60.00

Event Resource Development

Course Number: MGMT077

With a background in basic human resource management, students are able to recruit, develop and manage highly effective event delivery teams and supplier partnerships. Focus is placed on aligning personality types with tasks, managing teams, delegation, leadership, performance evaluation and partnership principles.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Financial and Business Management

Course Number: ACCT054

With a background in basic accounting and budgeting, students are able to complete complex budget proposals and accounting procedures for the organizations which they are planning events for. Preparation of cash-flow and costing documents, break-even analysis, and return on investments are documents that will be prepared during event management, applications for funding, or a request for proposals.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Program Operations

Course Number: MGMT117

This course will focus on the logistical execution of planned events and provide the student with a thorough understanding of project management as applied to live event management. Core skills will be developed in critical path management, risk management, communication, documentation and on-site management.

Units: 60.00
Hours: 60.00

Semester 2

Applied Event Management Project II

Course Number: APST073

This course provides experiential learning opportunities for the student and will focus on actual planning opportunities with local public events organizers, association conference planners, third party planning companies and industry related associations.

Units: 105.00
Hours: 105.00

Effectiveness Measurement

Course Number: BUSN073

This course introduces the concepts and methodologies used in measuring the effectiveness of an event against the stated objectives and event outcomes. Focus is placed on the collection and cumulative application of data. Students are able to establish event objectives, recognizing the diverse needs of the client and stakeholders. An emphasis is placed on creating effective measurement and evaluative tools that can be used in analyzing and reporting on the degree of success of staged events.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Production and Staging

Course Number: MGMT081

This course familiarizes the student with the production and staging elements of live events. Focus is placed on methodologies, terminologies and the working relationship with production teams. Students will be able to act as producers for a wide range of events such as festival celebrations to large event shows.

Units: 60.00
Hours: 60.00

Site Selection, Contracting and Management

Course Number: MGMT079

This course discusses site selection processes from geographical location to actual facilities. Focus is placed on decision-making, negotiating, and aligning the location and facility with the overall event and the subsequent management of selected facilities. Students will gain skills in working with various countries, organizations, regional, national or international agencies with appreciation of legislation, culture, customs, etiquette and environmental or political issues.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Sponsorship and Fundraising

Course Number: MKTG085

This course will focus on revenue generation for events through sponsorships and fundraising activities. The student will gain skills in the identification of appropriate peripheral fundraising activities and sponsors, developing informational and recognition packages and marketing and sales. Upon completion of the course, students will have knowledge of grant and proposal writing and how to apply for a variety of sources of revenue when seeking funds for special events. In addition, students are able to manage the processes and steps involved in fundraising.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00