Conference and Event Management

Duration: Offered as a 90 minute webinar or 2 days in class

Course Overview

Although it does take plenty of creativity to design an event that is memorable and meaningful, it also takes careful attention to detail, adaptability, effective delegating, and a lot of work. This course will walk you through the process of event management, from the beginning stages of planning, to the final touches (like decorations, food, and music).
While this course is specifically for corporate event planning, the elements here can also be applied to more personal event planning like anniversaries, special birthday gatherings, weddings, and more. Essentially, we’re creating an effective and well planned design that is ready for implementation and can be used over and over again.

Learning Objectives

  • Plan a complete corporate event, including an agenda, budget, goals, venue, audience, food, and whatever else your client needs
  • Keep your event on budget
  • Design an advertising and marketing plan that includes a comprehensive use of media, take-aways, and/or swag bags
  • Determine whether partners, sponsors, and volunteers can help to make your event unforgettable
  • Create an atmosphere of service that delegates will remember
  • Select speakers and a master of ceremonies to add impact to your event
  • Create a diversity plan
  • Evaluate the process once it's all wrapped up

Course Outline

1. Course Overview

2. Event Planning Essentials

  • Identifying Key Event Elements
  • Setting Goals and Objectives
  • Getting Organized

3. Budgeting Basics

  • Pre-Assignment Review
  • The Real Budget
  • Getting Strict About the Budget

4. Using the Committee Approach

  • Getting the Right People Doing the Right Things
  • Doing Delegation Right

5. Connecting with Partners and Sponsors

  • Benefits of Support
  • Step Up and Ask!

6. Advertising and Marketing

  • Getting the Word Out
  • The “Touch” Factor
  • Take-Away Planning

7. Selecting the Venue

8. Feeding the Masses

  • Setting up the Menu
  • Finding Food Solutions

9. Business Etiquette Basics

  • Don’t Be Afraid!
  • The Edge of Etiquette
  • Think Space!

10. Celebrating Diversity

  • What Does It Mean?
  • Diversity Assessment

11. Creating an Atmosphere of Service

  • Introduction to Customer Service
  • Critical Elements of Customer Service

12. Selecting Speakers and a Master of Ceremonies

  • People in Your Event
  • People in Practice

13. Managing Contracts

14. Gathering Feedback

  • Gathering Feedback from Delegates
  • Gathering Feedback from the Client
  • Designing Feedback

15. Adding the Finishing Touches

16. Event Day Roles

  • Things to Do
  • Managing Your Image

17. Closing the Event

  • Creating the Conference Report
  • Holding the Post-Event Meeting and Thanking Those Involved

18. Practicing Planning

  • Creating an Event Plan Draft
  • Presentations

19. Personal Action Plan