Most event professionals are excellent at execution. This course addresses what happens before execution — the decisions that determine whether an event moves people or just runs on schedule. Taught live by Devon Montgomery Pasha, CMP, CED, using her signature SPARK methodology, this cohort-based course is built for real-time discussion, feedback, and application.
Instructor-Facilitated
This course is led in real time by Devon Pasha, who has spent 20+ years designing high-stakes events for Fortune 500 companies and global associations. Through her SPARK framework, you’ll learn to move from planning to strategic design — aligning every event decision to a measurable outcome, understanding your audience beyond demographics, and building experiences that create real alignment, not just engagement.
Because this course is cohort-based and interactive, you’ll work through live exercises, get direct feedback from Devon, and learn alongside peers tackling the same design challenges.
While the full curriculum is still being finalized with Devon, here's a preview of some of the strategic concepts this course will explore:
Why well-run events still underperform. Participants analyze real event scenarios to identify where reactive planning creates avoidable gaps in experience and impact.
Mapping the full attendee arc — before, during, and after the event. Participants identify key emotional moments and design intentional touchpoints at each stage.
How to structure content so it lands. Covers cognitive load, learning design principles, and how to build an agenda that earns attention instead of demanding it.
Defining success metrics before the event happens, then translating results into a narrative that stakeholders can act on. Participants draft a basic impact brief for their event.
This course will be live and instructor-led with on-demand components, blending access to an instructor who will guide you through concept application with the ability to tackle core concepts at your own pace.
You'll have access to this course for one year (365 days) from the date of enrollment, giving you plenty of time to work through the content at your own pace. Need more time? Extended access is available for an additional fee — just reach out to our team to request an extension.
PCMA Institute is recognized by the Events Industry Council (EIC) as a Preferred Provider of continuing education. Completing this course qualifies for CMP continuing education credit, so every hour you invest moves your certification forward.
DMP Creative
Devon Montgomery Pasha, CMP, CED has spent 20+ years designing high-stakes events for Fortune 500 companies and global associations. She’s the creator of the SPARK methodology, a framework that connects audience experience design to measurable strategic outcomes. Devon holds a Master’s in Creativity & Innovation from Drexel University and is a Certified Event Designer (CED). In this course, she brings that same SPARK framework directly to PCMA Institute participants, live.
Event Design Strategy with Devon Pasha opens for enrollment in August. Join the waitlist to be the first to know when registration opens for this small, cohort-based course.
The PCMA Institute stands behind all of its content. If you feel you didn’t learn what you expected to in this course, just let us know within 30 days of your last lesson and we’ll give you a full refund. Full terms & conditions apply.
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