Event Planning Certificate Program

Whether it’s the grand opening of a new branch, a convention, annual meeting, fund-raising event or company outing, every special event requires careful planning and know-how. This lively, hands-on, practical series will help you develop the skills and techniques of planning, decision making, budgeting, scheduling, celebrity participation/endorsement, and evaluation. Each student will learn to plan stellar events while avoiding the need for crisis management. 

Instructor: Stefanie J.B. Muscat, CEO of Artes Scribendi, accredited public relations counselor with extensive experience planning special events for nonprofit organizations 

Winning the Job

Explores proposal basics, how to identify audience demographics, set goals and objectives, and determine the best vehicle for goal achievement. You’ll prepare a pitch letter and proposal to win a contract for planning an event.  Class members will be divided into teams; teams choose an event to plan, work on and present that plan as the final class exercise. 

Offered again fall 2012

The Budget and Timeline

Learn to develop a realistic budget, allocate funds and prepare for the return on investment. Determine how and when to complete the myriad tasks involved, setting a workable timeline. Teams will create a budget and timeline and expert event planners will be available to assist teams with their plans. 

Offered again fall 2012

Negotiations and Contracts

Learn from area professionals to examine contracts and negotiate a successful agreement. Topics include selecting the venue, determining the need for vendors, working with vendors and contract negotiation. Teams will choose vendors and identify the elements needed in their contracts. 

Offered again fall 2012

Planning for Your Audience

Learn to target the audience, arrange transportation, book entertainment and hire photographers and other professionals. Teams will complete an analysis of audience needs, make appropriate arrangements plus examine facets of planning a multi-day event. 

202 SBPD1021-RWA: M, 6:30-9pm, one eve, 3/19, $49, Riverwalk 

The Finer Points of Promotion and Advertising

Learn to build excitement for the event, the difference between promotion and publicity and how to construct an effective media campaign. Teams will create a media plan and collateral materials for their events. 

203 SBPD1022-RWA: M, 6:30-9pm, one eve, 3/26, $49, Riverwalk 

Putting It All Together

Devoted to final planning for team presentation of the event plan, area event planners assist teams with their final preparations. A key ingredient is preparation for the unexpected. Discussion focuses on final planning phases, evaluation processes and follow-up thank you opportunities. 

204 SBPD1023-RWA: M, 6:30-9pm, one eve, 4/2,  $49, Riverwalk 

The Events

Each team will present its event, outline the various components and discuss their planning experience, then answer questions from other teams and share insights about event planning. 

205 SBPD1024-RWA: M, 6:30-9pm, one eve, 4/9, $49, Riverwalk 

You might also be interested in:
Wedding Planning Certificate Program.