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Main Programs and Courses Business Programs Event Specialist

Event Specialist

From outdoor festivals and concerts to conferences, weddings and black-tie galas, special event planners organize events of all sizes and natures. Event management involves a realm of activities including the management of volunteers, lighting and audio technicians, caterers and decor teams, financial management and contract negotiations, and human resources management. 

 

Reeves College's Event Specialist diploma program will teach you the fundamentals of event planning and management in less than a year. Take hands-on event management courses in design and decor, event entertainment and production, risk management and safety, and much more.

 

Before you graduate, you will complete a number of "event production" projects, where you will use your newfound knowledge and skills to plan and stage entire events that range from internal school events to external community and charitable events. 

 

In addition to your diploma, you will also receive a number of certificates throughout the course of your program including WorldHost: Fundamentals, Customers with Disabilities, and Service Across Cultures; Hospitality Sales and Marketing Certificate (AHLEI); FOODSAFE Level 1; First Aid and CPR; and more.


This program is 51 weeks in length.
  • Conference and Meeting Planner
  • Staging Technician
  • Conference Services Officer
  • Event/Meeting Planner
  • Festival Organizer
  • Entertainment Planner
  • Special Events Producer
  • Trade Show Planner
Program Courses
SSS4 / Student Success Strategies
Students will gain a better understanding of themselves through an exploration of their personal attributes, transferable skills and learning styles. This course will introduce techniques for time, conflict, and stress management and develop interpersonal communication skills. Fundamental study and motivation skills will be covered, preparing students to excel in their program of choice. Students will also prepare a professional resume and learn how to write effective cover letters.
BCA4 / Business Computer Applications

The first component of this course is designed to introduce students to basic computer literacy through familiarization with the components that make up a computer. Students will also look at the Windows operating system to learn how to manage a computer on a regular basis. The second component of this course will teach the basic skills required to work with a variety of business documents including the following MS Office Products Word, Excel and PowerPoint. The third and final component is designed to introduce students to considerations for living online. Students will look at what the Internet is and how e-mail has made a huge impact on communicating with others, as well as look at how to find information on the Internet and avoid risk to personal security while online.

BF1O / Bookkeeping and Financial Accounting - Level 1

This course is an introduction to the fundamental principles and practices of accounting as a device for reporting business activity. It provides the student with an understanding of the underlying theory and principles of accounting. The construction of financial statements as they evolve from business transactions and records is emphasized using the rules of double-entry bookkeeping. In addition, adjusting journal entries and everyday transactions for both service and retail businesses are recorded coupled with the preparation of basic financial statements.

  • Introduction to Accounting

  • Financial Statements and Accounting Transactions

  • Analysing and Recording Transactions

  • Adjusting Accounts for Financial Statements

  • Completing the Accounting Cycle and Classifying Accounts

  • Budgeting events

EVM101 / Introduction to Event Planning

This course introduces the field of event planning. Students will gain insight into the typical duties of an Event Planner as well as everything the special events professional needs to manage events of all kinds – from small parties to big corporate events. It covers every technique and tactic in theevent planner’s skill set including design, projectmanagement, site selection and development, safety and security, food and beverage service, and entertainment. Topical coverage includes: 

  • Anatomy of an event
  • Plan, site and infrastructure assessment
  • Event anticipation and atmosphere
  • Experience activities
  • Food and Beverage operations
  • Administration
EVMO110 / Event Planning Computer Applications

For professional event planners, the newest technology is used to manage and plan their business. In this course, event design, sales, and strategic meetings management software are introduced and applied, as well as throughout the program. Topical coverage includes:

  • Render a basic venue

  • Render conventions, shows, weddings venues

  • Add objects to your venue

  • Add lighting, audio, staging and scenery features

  • 2D and 3D photorealistic rendering

  • Create and download event and décor elevations

  • Organisation: attendee management, accommodation and travel, detail setup, seating assignments, track suppliers and deliveries

  • Communications: client management, staff coordination, form letters, automatic reminders, booking calendar

  • Reports: financial summaries, budget vs. actual, track attendees and exhibitors, client history

  • Conferences and meetings

  • Corporate events

  • Seminars and workshops

  • Trade shows, vendors fairs

  • Weddings

EVM170 / Design and Decor

This course focuses on the visual experience of an event; it will give you ideas on how to set the stage, from decor, lighting, floral arrangements to menus. By giving examples of different events it will spark your imagination and get you excited about your job as an event planner. Step by step you will be taken through the whole process of planning and coordinating an event.

Topical coverage includes:

  • Strategy development
  • You and the client
  • Venue essentials
  • Proposal presenting
  • Décor
  • Creative event concepts
EVM190 / Event Entertainment and Production

This module covers a comprehensive overview of how toassess the client’s need for entertainment at an event to hiringthe talent and coordinating the production details.

Topical coverage includes:

  • The scope of the entertainment industry

  • Researching and Design

  • Planning production and event entertainment

  • Coordinating Event Entertainment and Production

  • Creative Strategies

  • Music licensing and entertainment contracts

EVMO100 / Event Business Communications

Students will learn a variety of communication methods for the modern business office. Topics include written and oral communications, grammar, spelling and the communication process. Students will practice these elements by role- playing and through case studies.

Topics include:

  • Sentence structure and paragraph composition

  • Letter writing: various styles and purpose

  • Electronic mail and memos

  • Proposals and report writing

  • Meeting agenda, planning, and delivery

  • Outline, preparation, and delivery of oral presentations and speeches

  • Intercultural communication

  • Customer service, telephoning, and reception

EVM130 / Sales Marketing and Ticketing

Marketing an event goes beyond simple advertisement of the event. In order to properly market an event, the event manager needs to know and understand the needs and expectations of the customer and how the event can meet and exceed those needs and expectations. The key to this success is doing the proper research and then developing an appropriate marketing plan to ensure that all needs and expectations are addressed. In this course, the student will learn how to develop a marketing plan and marketing strategies that can sell an event and create an excitement around an event.

Topical coverage includes:

  • Evolution of Event Marketing

  • Promotions, advertising, PR

  • Traditional and online marketing strategies

  • E-Event Marketing

  • Budget financing

  • Social Event Marketing

  • Future forces and trends

EVM140 / Event Fundraising and Sponsorship

In this course, we will be looking at the definition of commercial sponsorship and how to stage a sponsored event as well as how to attract, sign, and keep sponsorship for any event. We will explore fundraising from both a private sector and non-profit perspective. We will discuss how to raise funds for non-profit organizations and how to create programs that provide funding for corporations. Topical coverage includes:

  • Outstanding Events sell sponsorship

  • Sponsorship marketing plan

  • Effective proposals

  • The staff- sponsor-client relationship

  • Legal issues

  • Networking

  • Volunteer run events

  • The future of global event sponsorships

EVM120 / Beverage and Catering Services

To succeed in today’s competitive and sophisticated on- premise catering market, event and catering professionals must be versed in a number of business and HR skills, from basic accounting and marketing principles to working with intermediaries and suppliers. This module not only covers this but also new trends like online and social media marketing, effective menu writing, developing proposals, setting up function spaces, pricing meal functions and staffing.

Topical coverage includes:

  • Different types of catering for different kinds of events
  • Plan a menu and coordinate beverages
  • How to select and set up function rooms
  • How to find and manage staff and suppliers
  • Serving it Right certification
  • FoodSafe certification
EM180 / Risk Management and Safety

Every event is subject to possible risk. This module will explore some of the potential risks that may impact an event. The focus will be on the management of the risk through compliance with legislation, sticking to the risk management plan and the implementation of a contingency plan.
Topical coverage includes:

  • Legislation and its impact

  • Risk management plans

  • Safety, liabilities, and finance

  • Alcohol control

  • Human resources

  • Contingency plans, cancellations, weather

EVM150 / Supervision and Human Resources Management

This course help supervisors hit the ground running with the skills they'll learn in this course. They will be prepared to juggle with expectations of management, customers, employees, volunteers and governmental agencies.

Topical coverage includes:

  • Management defined
  • Effective communication
  • Recruitment and selection procedures
  • Orientation and training
  • Managing productivity and controlling labour costs
  • Benefits of performance evaluations
  • Discipline and other supervisory concerns
  • Teambuilding
  • Motivation
  • Conflict management
EVM160 / Convention Management and Exhibits

This course provides the students with the most current and comprehensive coverage of the convention industry, with an in-depth look at conventions and meetings marketing, how to successfully sell to groups, and how to service their business after the sale.

The course offers expanded coverage of key industry trends, including the greening of meetings, new technology applications, social media, and the popularity of second-tier cities. The course has a significant global perspective with international examples from Canada, Asia, and Europe. Additional coverage includes a self-contained module in exhibit marketing leading to managing an exhibit booth in the Event Staging Project module.

Topical coverage includes:

  • Market profiles, delegate spending habits, societal and economic changes in the industry

  • Features and benefits of a convention site to association and corporate meeting planners

  • Sale of meeting services and products to the non-profit market

  • Function room management

  • Types of food functions, food service, and taste trends

  • Audiovisual requirement factors

  • Types of admission systems

  • Types of exhibits and assignment of exhibit space

  • Exhibit objectives, budgeting and financial management, and choosing the right event

  • Creating a 3D marketing experience, your display, enhancements, and pre-show promotion

  • Pre-show briefing, the four stages of boothing, ice-breakers, gathering information, and making effective show presentations

  • Disengagement, developing rapport, turning leads into business, and gathering strategic intelligence at a show

EVM200 / Destination Management

Based on Destination Marketing Association International, this course is the first comprehensive course covering thebasic functions of the contemporary convention and visitors’bureau. Based on contributions by internationally-recognized experts, students are offered professional insights into key issues related to destination management and marketing. Global in scope, the course explores destination management and DMCs around the world.

Topical coverage includes:

  • Destination management organizations

  • Intertwined relationships involving hosts and guests

  • Suppliers and consumers

  • Networks of residents, government officials, and CVB leaders and employees

  • WorldHost certification
FACPR / First Aid – CPR and WHMIS

Topical coverage includes:

  • First Aid and CPR training

  • WHMIS training and certification

EVMP199 / Event Production Projects I-V

The student will integrate all the skills acquired throughout the program to five projects – both individual and group – that are scheduled throughout the entire program. Students will be provided with a choice of events to plan and stage, occurring inside the campus or controlled events of the college. Students will then proceed to apply their knowledge and skills to plan and stage the events, such as cultural events, open houses, meetings, competitions, and student activities.

EVMP299 / Event Production Projects VI-VII

As in Projects I-V, the student will integrate all the skills acquired throughout the program. Students will be provided with a choice of events to plan and stage. Students will then proceed to apply their knowledge and skills to plan and stage the event. This will include one exhibit at an external event (dependent on local events and calendar) and another event with a community – or charitable-focus with a local organization.

CES4 / Career and Employment Strategies

This course builds on the skills learned in the Student Success Strategies course or its equivalent. It provides information on how to use the communication skills learned in order to make a successful presentation to a prospective employer. Students also learn how to uncover the hidden job market and identify employment opportunities. Self-assessment during this course allows students to identify their personal skills that are transferable to the workplace and to describe these skills to a prospective employer. Students may be videotaped during a mock interview and will participate in the analysis of their performance in the “interview”.

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