Event & Meeting Management Fundamentals
On-Demand

Are you ready to revolutionize your career in event planning? Whether you’re new to the industry, aspiring to become an event or meeting planner, or have been organizing events without formal training, this course is your ticket to success.

CE Hours

Earn 36 continuing education units

Modules

10 modules of content

Format

On-Demand

What You'll Learn

Expert instructor Kevin White will take you on a journey through the entire event planning process: budgeting, venue selection, room layouts, catering, entertainment, transportation, and more. You’ll learn how to navigate the complexities of logistics, harness cutting-edge technology, and master the art of on-site coordination.

Imagine having the knowledge and skills to orchestrate unforgettable experiences that leave participants in awe. By the end of this comprehensive program, you’ll have a deep understanding of the event industry’s inner workings, from the reasons companies host events to the nitty-gritty details of planning and execution.

Don’t just plan events – create unforgettable experiences. Enroll now and take your first step toward becoming a top-notch event professional!

Learning Outcomes

  • Create events that achieve specific objectives for hosts and clients

  • Design a comprehensive planning process incorporating budgeting, project management, communication, and evaluation tools

  • Understand and effectively employ various event elements, including food and beverage, design, entertainment, and site selection

  • Develop the mindset and skills necessary to oversee successful event coordination on-site

Course Outline

Overview of Events & Meetings

  • Defining Events
  • Humans and Events
  • Industry Overview
  • Event Market Segments
  • The Power of Events
  • Careers and Roles

Strategic Planning & Design

  • Phases of Event Design
  • Establishing Objectives
  • Getting Clients to Understand
  • Discovery Sessions; Event History
  • Know Your Audience
  • Live Format Selection
  • Proposal Writing

Project Management

  • Project Goal Setting
  • Timeline Management
  • Timeline Building
  • Resource Management
  • SWOT Analysis
  • Project Pitfalls
  • Ongoing and Post-Event Evaluation

Financial Management

  • Budget 101
  • Income and Expense Analysis
  • Fixed v Variable Costs
  • Costs – Venue
  • Costs – Event Services
  • Return on Investment
  • Best Practices

Risk Management & Contracts

  • Contracts Overview
  • Negotiation Basics
  • Negotiation Techniques
  • The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
  • Risk Assessment
  • Risk Types
  • Emergency Response

Site Selection & Management

  • Destination Selection
  • Venue Selection
  • Site Inspections
  • Temporary Spaces
  • Spatial Form vs. Function
  • Building Out A Space;
  • Indoor vs. Outdoor
  • Standard Room Designs
  • Design Software

Event Marketing

  • Marketing Plan Objectives
  • The Promotion Mix
  • Mobile Apps and Social Media
  • Leveraging Technology
  • Measuring Return on Marketing Investment

Hospitality, Food & Beverage Services

  • Food and Beverage Overview
  • F&B Service and Billing Terms
  • Transportation
  • Safety and Security
  • Hospitality Services
  • Religious Services
  • Family Integration
  • Translation Services

Entertainment & Production

  • Role and Types of Entertainment
  • Entertainment Considerations and Contracts
  • Speaker Tips
  • Content Capture and Use
  • Virtual and Hybrid Meetings
  • Audio, Video, Lighting, and Staging

On-Site Operations

  • Service and Staff
  • Day of Philosophy
  • Loading In
  • Management Structure
  • Communications
  • Loading Out
  • Sustainable Philosophy: Greener Venues and Services Managing Change
  • Course Conclusion

How This Course Works

This course is delivered entirely on-demand, so you can learn at your own pace — no set schedule required. Whether you have 20 minutes or two hours, you can move through the content when it works best for you and revisit key lessons as many times as you need.

Pre-recorded Modules

Move through the course with on-demand video lessons crafted and delivered by an industry expert — giving you direct access to honed, real-world insight whenever you're ready for it.

Course Access Window

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.

Counts Toward Your CMP

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.

Ready to Level Up?

We want to make sure you're getting the best price available to you. PCMA and CEMA members, as well as Institute subscribers, automatically receive a discount — no codes needed. Simply log in at checkout and your savings will be applied based on your account.

Core

  • No membership or subscription required. Open to all learners.

$795

Select

  • Exclusive pricing for active monthly PCMA Institute subscribers.

$715.50

Premier

  • Exclusive pricing for PCMA/CEMA members and annual subscribers.

$636

Satisfaction Guarantee

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.