Special Event Planning

This program is available fully online, allowing you to complete it from the comfort of your own home, around your busy life or work schedule. Consisting of four modules and approximately 96 hours of time commitment, you can get started on your new profession in a very short period of time.

Why Consider a Special Event Planning Career?

• Work with tourism associations, trade and professional associations, convention and conference centres, government, event planning companies or start your own business.
• Be a part of an exciting, fast-paced career.
• You have room for advancement with experience and/or further education.

Course Modules:

• Full Program: 96 hours (24 hours per module)
• Available 24 hours 7 days a week
• Time commitment is approximately 8 hours per week of reading, assignments etc.
• The instructor advises you of the timelines that assignments are due. All course work, assignments and testing are online - you do not have to physically attend.

The four modules that make up the Special Event Planning program are:

• Best Practices in Special Event Management
• Event Coordination
• Event Marketing
• Risk Management and Evaluation

Each module will include readings and assignments with specific deadlines.  You will have the opportunity to complete various aspects of the special event planning process through mock scenarios.

In order to successfully complete each module, you must respond to discussion questions posted by the instructor on-line (minimum 1 post per discussion, within guidelines outlined by the instructor), and apply theory learning through reading to different aspects of event planning. This is done in the form of an event simulation - learning through the planning of a mock or real event. You will have the opportunity to plan various aspects of special events including strategic plans, budgets, marketing plans, volunteer management plans, and logistics.

Module 1 - Best Practices in Special Event Management

In Module 1 of the Special Event Planning program, you will establish the theoretical and practical foundation for special event planning, and for the other 3 modules: Module 2 - Event Coordination; Module 3 - Event Marketing; and Module 4 - Risk Management and Evaluation. You will be introduced to different kinds and types of special events, learn how to conceptualize a special event, and examine strategic planning for special events. 

Summary: Concepts to be reviewed in Module 1 include:

• Introduction to Special Events
• Conceptualizing the Event
• Strategic Planning

There are 3 simulation assignments in this module.

Module 2 - Event Coordination

In Module 2, you will learn about the human resources (volunteers) aspect of special event management, operational planning (logistics), and staging requirements of a special event.

A key aspect of event planning and management is the ability to pay attention to a myriad of details, some major and some minor. How do they come together to create a meaningful, magical, and memorable special event? How do you coordinate them so that something important is not missed? By completing this module, you will find your own way to organize and arrange all the important details in order to create a quality event that you are proud of.

Summary: Concepts to be reviewed in Module 2 include:

• Human Resources and Volunteer Management
• Operational Planning (Logistics)
• Staging Events

There are 3 simulation assignments in this module.

Module 3 - Event Marketing

In Module 3, you will learn how to market your special event, and how to create successful relationships with sponsors.

Marketing is not just advertising - "marketing is concerned with satisfying customer needs and wants by exchanging goods, services, or ideas for something of value" (Allen et al, 2005). In order to meet the needs of our consumers, we need to know how they make decisions and what their needs are. With this information, we can create the event experience they are attracted to, and they desire. You will learn about the concept of marketing, the steps in a strategic marketing process including how to conduct event marketing research, and sponsorships.

Concepts to be reviewed in Module 3 include:

• Marketing of Events
• Sponsorship

There are 3 simulation assignments in this module.

Module 4 - Risk Management and Evaluation

Module 4 allows you to learn concepts and methods related to financial management, risk management, and evaluation in the area of special event planning.

The issue of risk management is one of control: how do you keep your event on track financially? How do you plan to ensure that all risks associated with an event are managed? How do you ensure that everything that is supposed to happen, happens the way it is supposed to? What legal issues must be considered so that you are in compliance with laws in your particular jurisdiction? What do you need to know about contract management?

In addition, you will learn about event evaluation, and why it is vital to good event planning.

Concepts to be reviewed in Module 4 include:

• Controls in Event Management (Financial Management)
• Risk Management
• Evaluation

There are 3 simulation assignments in this module.

In order to successfully complete each module, students must respond to discussion questions posted by the instructor on-line (minimum 1 post per discussion, within guidelines outlined by the instructor), and apply theory learning through reading to different aspects of event planning. This is done in the form of an event simulation - learning through the planning of a mock or real event. Students will have the opportunity to plan various aspects of special events including strategic plans, budgets, marketing plans, volunteer management plans, and logistics.

Prerequisites:

You should know how to use a computer and the required software for the program. You should be comfortable communicating to the instructor and other students online (using email and discussion boards). Proficient English Language skills are required.

Minimum Computer Skills:

Students need to be able to use the required software required for the program and should be able to perform the following:

• Use a web browser
• Create and save documents
• Locate and upload a file
• Send and receive email

Technical Requirements:

To ensure the best learning online learning experience, you will need:

• A good computer
• Good internet
• Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft PowerPoint are used in this program

Note: Microsoft Office 365 suite of products is provided free to all registered students for the duration of the program.

(Apple products should be able to run the Microsoft Office 365 applications needed for this program, however there is no IT service support available for it. Students are responsible for getting their own software if their operating system/device doesn’t run the free programs provided.)

See: Minimum computer and internet requirements

How to Register:

Program spaces are filled on a first-to-pay basis.

To register, submit a completed Special Event Planning Program Registration Form with your payment via fax or email to the Kimberley campus.

• Registration period for September intake ends August 31, 2021
• Registration period for Winter intake ends Jan 15, 2022

(Late registrations may be considered after the registration period if seats are still available – contact the Kimberley Campus: kimberley@cotr.bc.ca)

Tuition and Fees:

_{*These prices are for domestic students and may not be 100% accurate. However, these estimates will give you an adequate idea of tuition and fees for our programs. These prices do not include textbook costs. All prices are subject to change. Tuition fees include an alumni fee, student activity fees, and a student technology fee. In certain cases a materials and supply fee may also be included. For more information, visit: Tuition and Fees.}

To pay for this Continuing Education program, visit our online registration system: AccessCOTR

Special Event Planning Program Refund Policy

Meet Your Instructor:

Erin Wilkins is a Royal Roads University MBA graduate with a specialization is leadership. Her MBA is supplemented with a Bachelors degree in Sport and Leisure Administration from the University of Victoria. She currently teaches at Langara College in the School of Management-Bachelor of Business Administration Degree program as well as the Recreation Studies Department- Bachelor of Recreation Management Program (BRM). Erin is also the Department Coordinator for the BRM.

Erin has extensive managerial expertise in hospitality, sports, recreation and leisure management. Her experience lies in managing recreational and competitive sports programming and events as well as managing a wide-range of social and business events. She is also experienced in strategic planning, change management, career and life coaching, employee retention, organizational behaviour and leadership.

Traveling extensively throughout her life, Erin has profited from a variety of international employment opportunities and a multitude of enriching cultural experiences. Erin currently resides in Vancouver; where she is able to enjoy recreational activities by the ocean and in the mountains. Her passion is to enjoy life and its adventures!