Earn this certificate and you'll be ready to design, plan and execute successful events and meetings of various types and sizes. Taught by professionals, this is a comprehensive certificate program in higher education that provides classroom and online training based on industry certificate requirements. Emphasis is on the management competencies required for a successful career as an event and meeting professional. This professional certificate can be completed in classroom, online or in a blended format which combines online and in class courses. Event Management is An Ideal Program for You If You Are... - Starting a new career as an event or meeting planner - In the industry and interested in enhancing your skills - Not in the industry, but charged with planning and facilitating meetings and events for your company or organization, profit or nonprofit - A volunteer or in charge of volunteers for special event activities Six Reasons to Earn Your Certificate Now! 1. Validate your experiences 2. Stay fresh with continuing education 3. Fulfill personal goals 4. Create your own pathway 5. Work effectively 6. Learn trends from leading edge professionals updated 03/2018
Certificate or Individual Courses The Professional Certificate in Event Management program is designed to be flexible and meet the different needs of individuals interested in professional development and career enhancement. You can take individual courses to learn more in a specific area or you can complete the certificate requirements and earn a Professional Certificate in Event Management. Certificate Requirements To attain a Professional Certificate in Event Management from The George Washington University School of Business, students must successfully achieve the following: 1. Complete and pass the following four Core Courses worth 1.2 CEUs each (4.8 total CEUs overall). The core courses are offered as a five day Event Management Core Skills Institute on campus four times a year. In addition, core courses can be taken as individual classes online. 501 Best Practices in Event Management 502 Event Coordination 503 Event Marketing 504 Risk Management: Financial, Legal and Ethical Safeguards 2. Complete and pass Elective Courses totaling 3.6 CEUs. Elective Courses are either worth 1.2 CEUs for two-day classes or 0.6 CEUs for one-day classes. All online courses are 1.2 CEUs. See Course Description for a full listing of electives. 3. Complete a minimum of 100 hours of event management practicum experience. 4. Prepare and submit an event portfolio. *The total CEUs required for the Professional Certificate in Event Management are 8.4 CEUs. All certificate requirements must be completed within two years of enrollment in the first course. Upon successful completion of the 8.4 CEUs, portfolio, and practicum hours, students receive a Professional Certificate in Event Management from The George Washington University School of Business.
Cost: Event Management Institute (4.8 CEUs) $1995 On-campus 2-day session (1.2 CEUs) $550 On-campus 1-day session (0.6 CEUs) $295 Online courses (1.2 CEUs) $450 The total Professional Certificate in Event Management program investment is approximately $3,800. Financial Aid Because the Professional Certificate in Event Management program is a non-degree program, federally funded student loan programs are not generally available, and the program is not eligible for deferment of such loans. Attend an Information Session Join us: January 3, 2018 February 7, 2018 April 4, 2018 June 6, 2018 September 5, 2018 November 7, 2018 Information sessions are held on The George Washington University Foggy Bottom campus, beginning at 7:00pm. Registration is required and registration links are available on our website. Please contact us at eventmgmt@gwu.edu with any questions. Registration To register for the Professional Certificate in Event Management program, individuals must have completed the equivalent of a high school diploma. International students not fluent in English must have a TOEFL PBT score of 600 or a TOEFL CBT score of 100. To register for the Professional Certificate in Event Management program courses, you must complete the process online. The first step involves completing the Program Application Form online. If you have questions or need help with registration, please contact us at eventmgmt@gwu.edu or call us at (202) 994-9708. If your company is paying for your classes and you would like to send a check, please email us at eventmgmt@gwu.edu or call us at (202) 994-9708.
On-Campus Courses Core courses and most elective courses are offered during the year as 2-day weekday sessions or 2-day weekend sessions. Weekday classes are scheduled from 9.00am - 4.00pm on concurrent days. Weekend classes are scheduled on Friday evenings from 5.30pm-9.00pm and Saturday from 9.00am-4.00pm. A mastery quiz is completed at the end of each class. There are three special 1-day courses. These courses are offered on-campus only and earn students 0.6 CEUs. Event Management Core Skills Institute The George Washington Event Management Core Skills Institute is offered as a weeklong, on-campus session. This Institute condenses all four core courses (501, 502, 503 and 504) into a five-day intensive and interactive session (4.8 CEUs). The cost is only $1,995.00, $205 less than taking the four classes separately! If you have already taken one or more of the core courses, we can give you an additional $550 off the cost of the institute (please email us at eventmgmt@gwu.edu to register if you qualify for this discount). We offer a Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter institute each year. Upcoming Sessions: March 9-11 & March 17-18, 2018 (2 consecutive weekend sessions) June 11-15, 2018 (Monday Friday, 9.00am 4.00pm) August 13-17, 2018 (Monday Friday, 9.00am 4.00pm) December 10-14, 2018 (Monday Friday, 9.00am 4.00pm) Online Courses You can start the online courses at any time, making it a convenient option to enhance your career and/or to complete the certificate program. Once you start an online course, you have 3 months from the end of the month you enroll in the class to complete it. Once you register, you will receive a confirmation with complete directions on how to attend an online class with GWU Event Management Certificate Program. A mastery quiz is completed at the end of each online class. Each online course is 1.2 CEUs and costs $450 per course. Course registration links are available on the program website.
PROGRAM POLICIES 1. Extension & Reinstatement Policy The Professional Certificate in Event Management must be completed within two years. From the day you take your first class, you have two years (24 months) to complete your courses, Practicum, and Portfolio. If for some reason during the two year period you need an extension, you can request an extension by emailing a letter of explanation to eventmgmt@gwu.edu. The Event Management program staff will review your request and determine if the extension request will be granted. You can only receive a one year extension. Once an extension is approved, you will receive a link to register for the extension. There is a $15 charge to register for an extension. 2. Refund Policy lf you cannot attend an on campus course as planned, you may transfer into a future course or receive a course credit as long as you let us know 5 business days prior to the first day of class. If you contact us less than 5 business days in advance, you are entitled to a course credit valued at 50% of the course fee. If you contact us on the day of the first class or after the class has occurred, you are not entitled to a course credit or transfer of any kind. Credits may be applied toward the cost of any future course within the next year from date of issue. The Event Management Certificate Program credits are active for one year from the date of the class. Refunds are given only if we cancel a course, although you will be encouraged to transfer into a future course so you can complete your required course work. We will not issue refunds for courses which have been postponed due to inclement weather or other circumstances beyond our control. Refunds are processed within thirty days of the approval of the refund request. Please note online courses are non-refundable. 3. Financial Obligation All financial obligations to The George Washington University must be met to receive a certificate.
Practicum Certificate candidates must complete a total of 100 practicum hours for graduation. You may begin earning practicum hours after you have completed your first course. Portfolio and Practicum hours must be separate. This means hours used for your practicum cannot be from the same event you are doing for your portfolio. The portfolio project can be part of your current job. Also, we request that students NOT use their regular/current jobs as hours for the practicum. This is because we want students to experience more than one facet of event planning and management to get a more rounded view of the discipline. If you "work" more than 25 hours at the same location/ organization, you must submit a letter of reference from that organization along with the Practicum Summary Form. You are allowed to acquire all 100 hours with one organization. We do not encourage this practice as we would like to see you experience a variety volunteer opportunities. It is usually not difficult to achieve 100 practicum hours. Check with your local convention center to see what events are in coming to the center. Consider making a list of cause related organizations such as the American Cancer Society or the Humane Society. Visit their websites for upcoming events and contact them about volunteering. Yelp.com lists volunteer opportunities by zip code. Practicum hours are considered field hours. The experiences should help you gain a more thorough perspective of the industry. For Practicum specific questions email Kristi Long at klong@gwu.edu
Portfolio Your Portfolio is documentation of an actual event which you have planned from beginning to end. You must show an understanding of the research, design, planning, coordination and evaluation processes including administration, marketing, legal, ethical, and risk management issues. The event may be a part of your current job but you MUST play a lead or significant role in the planning and coordination of the entire event. Only events that have occurred after you enrolled in the event management program qualify. For example, if you planned a wedding in June 2017 and started the program in November 2017, the wedding cannot be used as your portfolio. Your event should be of the size and breadth that allows for key elements of the portfolio such as a budget, vendor contracts, a floor plan, timeline and production schedule. A dinner party for friends will not qualify for a portfolio. Examples of approved portfolio events include: change of command ceremonies, anniversary parties, weddings, bridal showers, fashion show, and fundraiser. The total portfolio, excluding Table of Contents and Portfolio Affirmation and Release Form may not exceed 65 pages. Portfolio grading is based on a possible total of 150 points. You must earn 75% (or 113 points) to pass. If you score less than 75%/113 points, you will have an opportunity to resubmit your portfolio with corrections. Portfolios must be re-submitted within two weeks of receipt of the returned portfolio. Please note, it is highly recommended you schedule a meeting with an Event Management Certificate Program counselor at the beginning of your course work and when getting ready to work on your Portfolio. Portfolio and Practicum hours should be separate. This means hours used for your practicum cannot be from the same event you are doing for your portfolio if the portfolio is part of your current job. Also, we request that students NOT use their regular/current jobs as hours for the practicum. This is because we want students to experience more than one facet of event planning and management to get a more rounded view of the discipline. For Portfolio specific questions email Kristi Long at klong@gwu.edu
Schedule of Online Courses - 2018 Online Core Courses (1.2 CEUs per course) 501 Best Practices in Event Management 502 Event Coordination 503 Event Marketing 504 Risk Management: Financial, Legal, and Ethical Safeguards Online Electives (1.2 CEUs per course) 505 Meetings and Conferences 506 Corporate Event Management 507 Sport Event Marketing and Management 508 Starting, Growing, and Managing an Event Business 510 Government Event Strategies 512 Catering Design and Coordination 513 Exposition/Trade Show Planning, Management, and Marketing 514 Wedding Planning, Coordination, and Consulting Workshop 517 Event Fundraising and Sponsorship 545 Protocol for Event Managers Schedule of On Campus Courses- 2018 (subject to change) On-campus Core Courses Event Management Core Skills Institute (4.8 CEUs per course) $1995 March 9-11 & March 17-18, 2018 (2 consecutive weekend sessions) June 11-15, 2018 (Monday Friday, 9.00am 4.00pm) August 13-17, 2018 (Monday Friday, 9.00am 4.00pm) December 10-14, 2018 (Monday Friday, 9.00am 4.00pm) On-campus Electives: 2-day session (1.2 CEUs per course) $550 per course 506 Corporate Event Management Feb 9-10 & Oct 26-27, 2018 508 Starting, Growing & Managing an Event Business - Sep 28-29, 2018 512 Catering Design and Coordination April 27-28, 2018 514 Wedding Planning - March 23-24, 2018 517 Event Fundraising and Sponsorship March 13-14 & Dec 7-8, 2018 545 Protocol for Event Managers- Sep 14-15, 2018 546 Event Entertainment and Production February 23-24, 2018 1-day session (0.6 CEUs per course) $295 per course 505 Meeting and Conferences- May 12 & October 6, 2018 550 Understanding Negotiation Strategy & Contracts - March 10 & October 22, 2018 551 Making the Most of Social Media May 19 & November 3, 2018 552 Budgeting for Event Planners May 1 & November 5, 2018
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Core Courses 501 Best Practices in Event Management (1.2 CEUs) This course addresses major trends and successful business practices in Event Management to provide the knowledge and tools to improve your effectiveness and organizational competencies as an event manager. Learn to: - Structure and manage an event planning schedule to improve profitability - Conduct comprehensive needs assessments and feasibility studies - Identify and prioritize event goals and objectives - Identify potential challenges to a successful event - Choose appropriate solutions by using efficient planning scenarios - Conduct mid- and post-event evaluations - Create and present proposals and agreements that are advantageous to all parties of an event - Appreciate the rewards of being in the Event Management profession 502 Event Coordination (1.2 CEUs) This course covers the nuts and bolts of successfully coordinating a professional event. - Develop creative elements including decor and entertainment and properly sequence them at events - Develop and implement a site plan and conduct a thorough site inspection - Understand the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), permit requirements and labor union issues and their impact on event coordination - Analyze and implement professional registration, admission procedures, security, and protocol.
COURSE DESCRIPTION CONTINUED: Core Courses 503 Event Marketing (1.2 CEUs) This course examines how to use events to promote products, services and causes, and how to promote events themselves. - Identify and develop a promotional strategy, including the event proposal, invitations, advertising, publicity, contests, promotional merchandise, sales promotions, packaging, and even personal appearances - Distinguish the relative strengths of print, electronic, & other advertising mediums - Analyze, establish and implement a public relations strategy using video and audio news releases, as well as many other new tools - Incorporate electronic media - Formulate an effective event sponsorship program - Conduct market research prior to the event - Create a comprehensive marketing/sales measurement 504 Risk Management: Financial, Legal, & Ethical Safeguards (1.2 CEUs) This course thoroughly and systematically analyzes potential threats to your events. As the final core course, this practical approach to risk management ensures that you understand and use every possible safeguard to produce safe and successful events. - Identify different methods for managing risk - Understand how to prepare a crisis management plan - Understand the key components of event contracts - Comply with health, safety, and security regulations - Conduct a thorough risk assessment for every event - Understand the duty of care owed to attendees and identify liability issues arising from injury or loss of property - Understand and comply with copyright, trademark, and service mark protection requirements * Please note it is recommended that students take Core Courses in the above order if you are pursuing the Professional Certificate in Event Management. Elective courses may be taken before all core courses are completed. However we do recommend that student take Best Practices in Event Management before taking any electives. Courses can be taken onsite or online. These recommendations do not apply if you are only taking one or a few courses for career enhancement.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Elective Courses 505 Meetings and Conferences (0.6 CEUs on-campus and 1.2 CEUs online) Virtually every organization, from trade associations to government agencies, regularly holds large and small meetings. This course provides the basic tools to successfully plan and manage local, national and international meetings and conferences. Course information covers the basic competencies tested in the ILEA Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP) and Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) examinations. - Conduct thorough pre-event planning - Identify an appropriate site and perform comprehensive site inspections - Develop, analyze and project a budget - Comply with legal requirements, including those specified by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other key laws - Recruit and train volunteers and staff for maximum performance - Evaluate the effectiveness of an event 506 Corporate Event Management (1.2 CEUs) Review the most successful techniques for managing trade shows, sales promotion events, staff meetings and other corporate events. Learn how to stay within a budget, yet produce events with creative flair. - Integrate corporate events within the overall communication strategy of the company - Assess, inspect, and/or design sites for corporate events - Orchestrate large national and international events as well as small corporate meetings - Use events to bolster corporate morale - Design and effectively manage major corporate hallmark events, such as anniversaries and ground -breaking ceremonies - Negotiate to get the best return on investment (ROI) for your organization - Reduce event costs and document the savings for your annual review - Demonstrate the added value of your corporate events as a means of receiving an increased budget and other support in the future
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Elective Courses 507 Sport Event Marketing and Management (1.2 CEUs) Online Only Sport events are fast growing fields that require professional management skills. This course covers promoting and managing large and small sporting events, covering everything from event logistics to sponsorship to successful marketing. - Identify key sport event stakeholders: athletes, participants, sponsors, spectators, and media partners - Develop, execute, and evaluate a sponsorship program - Develop logistics and operational plans for all levels of sport events to mitigate risks and maximize success - Understand the role that volunteers play and develop strategies for recruiting, training, managing, and recognizing them - Plan admission procedures for sport events - Work with officials and sanctioning bodies to ensure compliance with protocol, traditions, and regulations - Design, plan, manage, and evaluate awards ceremonies 508 Starting, Growing, and Managing an Event Business (1.2 CEUs) This course covers the practical skills needed to launch, operate, and grow a successful special events business. Learn how to develop a business plan, manage finances, market, and approach special events as a profit-making business. Case studies will cover everything from start -up capital to managing employees. Learn to: - Discover the five forces that drive profitability - Apply the best practices of successful companies in event management - Develop an effective marketing strategy for new clients and to serve existing accounts - Identify sources of financing - Perform market research - Avoid cash -flow problems that are the downfall of many profitable businesses
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Elective Courses 510 Government Event Strategies (1.2 CEUs) Online Only This course covers planning and managing events, from groundbreaking ceremonies to parades to presidential inaugurations. Learn how to stage events that are creative, yet meet the historical, cultural, and political considerations unique to keepers of the public trust. Participants learn how to: - Identify important social or political settings - Identify the major stakeholders - Establish a process for making decisions and creating lines of authority - Establish financial procedures and ensure compliance with laws and regulations - Determine whether fundraising or sponsorship is needed - Identify the key figures and develop plans for effectively integrating these VlPs - Assess the need for volunteers and effectively recruit, coordinate, and reward volunteers - Develop major events to mark municipal anniversaries and other significant celebrations 512 Catering Design and Coordination (1.2 CEUs) Step behind the scenes and meet the people who make a successful catering operation work. Understand the catering industry and learn to work with catering professionals to improve quality, while reducing costs. - Conduct a food and beverage needs assessment - Identify professional catering resources - Specify the menu, level of service (including number of staff), and other important elements - Coordinate Kosher, Muslim, and special-request meal functions - Incorporate unusual linens, napkin folds, and other creative elements - Understand the basic health department requirements for food and beverage service - Recognize and implement liquor liability safeguards
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Elective Courses 513 Exposition/Trade Show Planning, Management, and Marketing (1.2 CEUs) Online Only This course helps you understand the growing role of expositions and trade shows in the marketing and sales process, both in the United States and internationally. It provides practical information for designing and managing projects from a trade show exhibit to planning and coordinating an entire exposition. You will learn to: - Use research to target the exhibit or exposition to primary and secondary markets - Identify resources, including designers and general service contractors - Negotiate successful vendor contracts - Develop a thorough and comprehensive marketing strategy and measure results - Incorporate promotional activities that enhance marketing efforts - Prepare sales and exhibitor communications - Use commercial sponsorship to decrease operating expense 514 Wedding Planning, Coordination, and Consulting Workshop (1.2 CEUs) A wedding planner is a professional who assists with the design, planning and management of a client's wedding. Weddings are significant events in people's lives and as such, couples are often willing to spend considerable amount of money to ensure that their weddings are well organized. Wedding planners are often used by couples who work long hours and have little spare time available for sourcing and managing wedding venues and wedding suppliers. - Start and manage a successful wedding planning business - Incorporate the latest trends in wedding design and coordination to build your business - Market for continuous growth - Create a wedding planning timeline - Learn how to make wedding planning financially successful
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Elective Courses 517 Event Fundraising and Sponsorship (1.2 CEUs) Many organizations rely on event fundraising and sponsorship to reach their objectives each year. This course will explore the growing area of sponsorship in the fundraising arena. - Identify why donors give - Develop strategies for a successful fundraising event - Develop events such as silent auctions and raffles - Systemize the fundraising event for annual recurrence - Conduct a comprehensive sponsorship needs-assessment and feasibility study - Identify qualified prospective sponsors - Create attractive sponsorship proposals - Develop an effective and realistic financial plan for increasing sponsorship revenue - Develop an easy system for monitoring and improving event sponsorship services 545 Protocol for Event Managers (1.2 CEUs) Virtually every organization, from corporation to government agency, sponsors meetings and events that include VIPs and dignitaries. This course is designed to provide international protocol and will equip them with the basic tools needed to successfully manage the protocol requirements associated with local, national and international meetings and conferences. You will learn to: - Understand the rules and traditions of protocol - Identify resources to answer protocol questions - Prepare a protocol plan - Gain confidence in making decisions about event protocol issues - Advise colleagues in correct etiquette and protocol - Make your guests feel welcome and respected - Avoid errors in protocol that may result in disputes, insults, embarrassment or distractions
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Elective Courses 546 Event Entertainment and Production (1.2 CEUs) Students will examine professional meeting and event management and will study industry best practices as the foundation for the five phases of research, design, planning, coordination, and evaluation. - Recognize that entertainment represents a large economy - Identify job opportunities in the event entertainment and production fields - Develop and know how to carry out a plan through strategic preparation for event production and entertainment - Observe the effects of the plan, by viewing actual Contract and Rider requirements - Familiarize themselves with various tools for measurement of Return On Event Entertainment - Know the differences between agents, managers and entertainment companies and how they interact with headline entertainment - Create a crises mitigation plan - Familiarize themselves with the legalities of music licensing Course Purpose: Students will comprehend event entertainment and production as a complex integrative process requiring effective strategic planning and analysis, business management and meeting operations skills. 550 Understanding Negotiation Strategy and Contracts (0.6 CEUs) oncampus only Understanding and negotiating contracts are highly critical event and meeting management skills. Each meeting, convention, or special event might require multiple contracts with venues, caterers, and other suppliers (i.e., audio-visual, floral, housing and production) and therefore multiple negotiation strategies. This one-day course will focus on negotiation strategy and tactics leading to an acceptable agreement. In addition, the course will highlight provisions which should be in every contract as well as providing an understanding of the meaning of common provisions as well as clauses that hold potential risk. By taking this class you will learn how contracts are economic based but human controlled. Learn to: - Prepare for the negotiation phase and set key "take-away" priorities - Set objectives and pre-determine acceptable outcomes - Evaluate provisions which should be included in all contracts - Assess potential liabilities and risk when reviewing contracts - Build trust and get to a win-win position
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Elective Courses 551 Making the Most of Social Media (1.2 CEUs) on-campus only Social media is not the easiest to manage but an essential and important event marketing strategy with tools that will drive attendance, define and engage your high value target audience and build brand recognition after the event is over. The event planner needs to know how to effectively design content that promotes the brand's message and invites an attendee into the event experience. This workshop will provide you with insight, examples and an interactive day to support your event social media marketing efforts. Agenda: Social Media Platforms (An Overview) Social Media Planning (Content Marketing Schedule) Implementing Your Plan (Dashboards & Planners) Tracking Your Results (Simple Analytics) Prerequisite: Attendees must be on social media to participate. You do not have to live" on social media but you need to have some participation and basic skills. 552 Budgeting for Event Planners (0.6 CEUs) on-campus only Budgeting for a conference or special event can seem daunting. Defining revenue sources, anticipating fixed expense line items and calculating variable expenses is at best time consuming and at worst can put you in a financial dark hole. If you have struggled with budget preparation and want to learn how to streamline the process, this is the class for you. Learning Objectives: - Learn how to outline a budget in three steps - Practice creating 3 types of budgets - Define categories of revenue and expenses - Identify the value proposition of good budgeting Whether you have never created a budget or need help in refining your budgeting skills, this course promises new competency while engaging in an interactive day of learning.