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 re-

submit 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.

Learn how to:

- 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.

Learn how to:

- 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.

Learn how to: - 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.

Learn how to:

- 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.

Learn how to:

- 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.

Learn how to:

- 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.

Learn how to:

- 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.

Learn how to:

- 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.

Learn how to:

- 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. Learn how to:

- 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) on-

campus 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.