Event Planning Program (H141)

Program Description

Program Overview

Not every classroom has four walls. Our Event Planning program offers you the opportunity to gain valuable experiential planning, coordination and execution experience across the multiple facets of the events management industry. The program focuses on event planning, design, coordination, marketing, sponsorship, budgeting, risk management and event evaluation.

Full Description

Are you a dynamic person who loves events? Are you looking for an exciting career in a fast-paced industry where every day brings something new?

Our Event Planning program will teach you event project management fundamentals through a variety of event types including hospitality events, weddings and other social events, fundraising events, meetings, conferences and trade shows. You will take part in event management opportunities each semester, culminating in a final capstone event and a 14-week externship placement. This experiential approach to learning and the course mix, including event-specific courses, business foundations and hospitality, will provide you with the skills to jumpstart your career in event management.

Students are exposed to industry tactics used in designing, planning, marketing, budgeting, execution and evaluation of events. Management skills, small business development and state-of-the-art technology for the current marketplace are explored. The program is taught online and through in-class lectures. Group work and individual assignments are highlighted by a capstone project and externship.

Note: George Brown College has adopted a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) initiative. As a result, we no longer have computer lab classrooms. For classes that require computers, students will need to bring their own laptops. Our Library Learning Commons offers open access computers as well as equipment that can be borrowed on a short-term basis. For more information, please contact The Centre for Hospitality and Culinary Arts at chcastudentsupport@georgebrown.ca

Your Field Education Options

This program provides a final capstone event and a mandatory 14-week externship placement. George Brown works with employers and industry partners to identify potential work experience opportunities. Students are also strongly encouraged to pursue self-directed event management industry work experience opportunities they believe will provide the learning experiences they value, and meet the program's learning outcomes. This valuable work experience can be added to your resumé.

In addition to more formal on-the-job work experience, George Brown College endeavours to provide learning opportunities with real-world challenges and customers.

Career & Postgraduate Study Opportunities

Career Options

You will have your pick of exciting and challenging roles such as:

  • event planner
  • conference planner
  • meeting planner
  • catering manager
  • incentive travel manager
  • festival planner
  • social event planner
  • event fundraiser
  • volunteer coordinator

Educational Pathways

Earn a diploma and a bachelor’s degree. Qualified graduates of our Event Planning program may be eligible to enter the Honours Bachelor of Business Administration (Hospitality) degree program at George Brown College as an advanced standing student in September or January. You may also choose to start in the spring bridging semester from May to August, continuing into the degree program in September. This educational path requires a minimum grade point average of 2.7 to qualify. Talk to a program coordinator about articulation options.

For further information, see the Transfer Guide.

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