Event & Meeting Management Fundamentals
Instructor-Facilitated
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
Instructor-Facilitated
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!
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
Facilitated cohorts are led by industry experts and delivered online over five to twelve weeks. You’ll move through weekly pre-recorded modules at your own pace and come together for optional office hours and a peer community forum to ask questions, practice concepts, and stay on track.
Pre-recorded Weekly Modules
Move through the course with on-demand video lessons and resources released in weekly modules. Each week builds on the last—so you can learn at your own pace, review key concepts as needed, and come to live sessions ready with questions.
Live Office Hours
Join optional office hour sessions to connect live with your instructor and peers, ask questions, workshop challenges, and get practical guidance on applying what you’re learning.
Peer-based Community Forum
Connect with fellow learners between sessions to ask questions, share real-world examples, and learn from each other’s experiences. The forum is also a great place to stay motivated, get unstuck quickly, and build relationships with other professionals in your cohort.
Course Access Window
You’ll have access to the course for four weeks after the final module is released, so you have time to review the material, ask follow-up questions, and finish strong. 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.
Learn From An Industry Expert
Kevin White
CSEP
Kevin White, CSEP has been a storyteller his entire life. That love of capturing attention and engaging people is what brought him to a decades-long career in experiential design. In 2011 he founded XPL, a boundary-pushing agency that delivers bold, powerful live events that transform audiences around the world. Kevin’s commitment to his industry is demonstrated by his willingness to give back. He was selected by his peers to serve as international president of the International Live Events Association (ILEA).
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.
$995
Select
- Exclusive pricing for active monthly PCMA Institute subscribers.
$895.50
Premier
- Exclusive pricing for PCMA/CEMA members and annual subscribers.
$796
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. Click here to view our refund policy and full terms & conditions.
