The Event Leadership Executive Certificate Program

About the Program

The only award-winning, comprehensive events planning program that is designed to increase your marketable skills and to prepare you for future success in a broad range of event planning careers. The full program may be completed in 12 – 18 months, but you can enroll for individual courses as well.
The program is offered by Temple University's School of Tourism and Hospitality Management, the region's leading provider of management talent for the tourism and hospitality industries.
Classes are conveniently held on Saturdays on the Main Temple University Campus in North Philadelphia.

Acceptance Criteria

Acceptance criteria for the Event Leadership Executive Certificate program:

Submission of official application form.
Attainment of secondary (high school) degree.
Experience in event planning, general management or related field.
Commitment to further education within the events industry.

Program Requirements

A total of 6 courses must be completed within 2 years of your acceptance. Although you may take the courses in any order, it is highly recommended that you take the 3 required courses first. You must take the 3 required courses and you may select 3 electives. Courses are as follows:

REQUIRED:

Introduction to Event Management and Business Success: This course introduces the principles and history of the event industry. Designed to both enhance the professional knowledge of those already employed within the industry, and to launch new careers, this course builds a solid and firm understanding of the industry tools, best practices, business entrepreneurship, industry segments and terminology. Event professionals gain valuable instruction from real life scenarios, advice and interactive activities.

Principles of Effective Event Education: This course explores the operational aspects of industry segments, tools and processes. Proven event execution tactics are introduced to understand event return on investment. Topics include business model, goal setting, event proposals, RFP development, room set up, negotiations, insurance requirements, quality standards, site selection, program development, event marketing, and professional development

Integrating Event Strategies and Tactics: This course offers a deeper analysis of details pertinent to the organization and execution of an event, meeting, conference, sponsorship and social event. Event professionals master long term event strategies to sustain event success. Topics include human resources, finances and contracts, strategic performance, project management, standard policies, team management, event leadership, event technology, evaluation and wrap-up.

ELECTIVES (Choose 3):

Event Operations and Risk Management: This course deals in detail with the operational and logistical needs of various types of events as well as the insurance and risk management concerns associated with these events. What you will learn: How to develop and execute operations plans, timelines and other organizational production planning tools, What are the essential elements of risk management, What are the essential elements of licenses, permits and event insurance.

Introduction to Corporate Sponsorship: Ideally, your event generates multiple sources of revenue. An important source for many events is corporate sponsorship. In the first of two electives on corporate sponsorship, you’ll develop a broad understanding of corporate sponsorship, how it works, and how this business initiative plays a role in your event. You’ll also gain the tools and techniques you need as an event leader to best work with your sponsors and meet their needs in the overall management of your events. What you will learn: What corporate sponsorship is, How corporate sponsorship differs from corporate underwriting, Why corporations sponsor, The tools of corporate sponsorship, Best practices for event leaders working with corporate sponsors and How to know if your event is ready for sponsors.

Meeting Management: Discover the many intricacies of meeting and event planning from a local professional. Whether planning a company event, meeting or personal affair, this class will focus on the important steps vital to your event’s success. The class will cover the basic fundamentals of site selection, contracts, requests for proposal, menu planning and audio/visual requirements. Learn how to effectively communicate your event needs with your vendors and your attendees to ensure an effective execution and attainment of goals.

Etiquette and Protocol: As event leaders, we are responsible for presenting our clients and employers in the most correct and favorable light on all occasions, whether a meeting of five executives or a public event involving hundreds. Applying standards of etiquette and protocol become hallmarks of you and your company/university and are important components of branding. Knowledge and use of these standards are known as soft skills. In the Etiquette and Protocol elective, we will identify and practice our soft skills. We will learn how to draft proper invitations; review and differentiate forms of address; and make correct introductions. We will utilize rules of protocol and deference; such as seating a dais, a table and a room. We will also discuss personal etiquette in a business setting. Knowledge and use of these skills will distinguish you as a special events professional, putting you in a position to “outclass the competition.”

Legal Issues in the Entertainment Industry: This course deals with United States and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania law as it relates exclusively to the entertainment and hospitality industries. It covers an overview of general law and legal procedures, entertainment and sports law, hospitality and event productions law and negotiation.

Fundraising: This course will provide you with a solid understanding of fundraising covering areas such as annual giving, corporate and foundation relations, major gifts, planned giving and special events. A myriad of fundraising techniques will be discussed and analyzed such as direct mail, telemarketing, e-solicitation, grant writing, and face to face solicitation. Topics including ethics in fundraising, careers in development and philanthropy in a recession will also be explored. What you will learn: How to build the case for support for your program or event; how to create a pool of prospective donors to approach; how to create good solicitation materials; and how to use social networking for fundraising.

Corporate Event Production: This course will help you to develop project management skills in order to produce effective and efficient corporate events, will enable you to link corporate events to corporate mission and vision, will teach you to utilize efficient procurement techniques in order to reduce costs and improve quality and will help you to measure return on your event investments to demonstrate cost/value ratios.

Completion of 50 - 100 hours of externship, as determined by faculty review.
Submission of professional portfolio.
Registration and payment must be received one week prior to class date.

Fees

Course fees are non-refundable but may be applied to future courses.
Six courses at $325 each, totaling $2,030 (includes course materials; textbooks are optional and are available at cost)
Non-refundable, one-time registration fee: $65
Portfolio review fee: $125
Total without discount: $2,140
Save $116 when you pay for the entire program upon registration!

Class Cancellation Policy

The Event Leadership Program retains the right to cancel any class due to insufficient enrollment. Students will be notified no fewer than 72 hours prior to the class date if a class must be cancelled. If a class is cancelled, students will have the option to transfer to another class or will receive a full refund, less the non-refundable registration fee/application fee.

For more information, telephone 215-204-6126 or e-mail eventleadership@temple.edu.

Download the Application.

To apply for the program and to request an application, please contact us at 215-204-6126 or e-mail eventleadership@temple.edu.

Our Students

Our students are leaders, and future leaders, in the events industry. Many of them are individuals who have upper level management experience. Here is a sample of who the Event Leadership Executive Certificate students are:

Job Titles

Coordinator of Special Events
Wedding Planner
Director of Meetings
Director of Special Events
Events Consulting Company President
Exhibition Manager
Senior Concierge
Theatrical Director
University Events Director
Event Producer

Where They Work

Educational Institutions
Local, State, and National Associations
National and International Corporations
Entrepreneurial Organizations
Their Own Companies!

Who They Work For

Affinity Insurance Services, Inc.
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Zoo
The Rittenhouse Hotel
The Franklin Institute
Sharon Baptist Church
Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
University of the Arts
University of Delaware

Salaries

The average salary (according to Event Solutions magazine Black Book) for event professionals is now over $50,000, and over 51% of event professionals are certified as Certified Meeting Professionals (CMP), Certified Festivals and Events Executive (CFEE) or Certified Special Events Professionals (CSEP).

Our Faculty

The program was founded by Dr. JOE GOLDBLATT, CSEP, world renowned educator, author and teacher. Dr. Goldblatt has served as writer and editor of over 20 books in the event production and management field.

The program’s director is IRA L. ROSEN, MA, CFEE, a producer and consultant with over 30 years of professional experience in the industry. Ira is the owner and CEO of Entertainment On Location and has worked on multi-million dollar parades, super bowl half time shows and has provided his consulting expertise to clients around the world and is an adjunct instructor in Temple University’s School of Tourism and Hospitality Management. He is an inductee into the International Festivals and Events Association (IFEA) Hall of Fame.

Our distinguished, multi-award-winning faculty combines more than 150 years of event experience, and includes industry hall-of-fame inductees, and event planners-of-the-year!

Gail S. Bower, President, Bower and Co. Consulting, LLC. Gail has over 20 years of experience producing and marketing festivals and managing corporate sponsorship programs. Events include New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and JVC Jazz Festival.

Karen Emory, former director of Special Events for Temple University. Karen is certified by the Protocol School of Washington in Business Etiquette and Protocol and is a world renowned protocol and etiquette consultant.

Dana R. Giovinetti, CMP, CMM: meeting planner, PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLP; Dana has a long career in meeting planning and is the past president of the Philadelphia Chapter of Meeting Professionals International (MPI).

Dion Magee, Independent Entrepreneur - Event & Wedding Lifestyle Expert. Dion was named Event Solutions Corporate Planner- of-the-Year several years ago and is the founder and publisher of Black Bride & Groom Magazine. Dion is the former Event and Meetings Manager for Verizon and GTE and former Regional Director for Helms Briscoe.

Patrick Feeley, CFRE; Director of Institutional and Event Fundraising at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Patrick has been fundraising in the non-profit sector since 1993 and he oversees the areas of corporate advancement, foundation relations, cause-marketing and special events for CHOP. He is a board member of the Clean Air Council and the Association of Fundraising Professionals International.

Lloyd Z. Remick, Esq. President of Zane Management, which specializes in marketing and managing notable performers in entertainment, sports, media and the arts. Lloyd is one of the foremost entertainment in attorneys in the Philadelphia market and has provided legal and consulting services to clients around the world.

Joseph Brooks, Former Acting President Penn’s Landing Corporation/Delaware River Waterfront Corporation. Joe has over 20 years of the experience and in successfully higher levels of responsibility at the Penn’s Landing Corporation/Delaware River Waterfront Corporation was responsible for developing many of their nationally recognized programs including the RiverRink and July 4th fireworks shows.

Melissa Manzo McDevitt, Director of Sales at Normandy Farm Hotel and Blue Bell Country Club. Melissa founded the Meeting & Event Planning certificate program at Montgomery County Community College is an active freelance writer for industry magazines. She is also active in both the PA and NJ chapters of MPI, and in several chambers of commerce and women's groups.

Course Schedule

2009 - 2010

Session 1

Saturday, September 26, 2009
A. Introduction to Event management & Business Success (formerly Event Solutions Process) taught by Dion Magee 9:00 – 4:00
8 hour core course
B. Sponsorship taught by Gail Bower 9:00 – 1:00
4 hour elective

Saturday, October 31, 2009
A. Integrating Event Strategies and Tactics (formerly Event Outcomes) taught by Ira L. Rosen, CFEE 9:00 – 4:00
8 hour core course
B. Etiquette & Protocol taught by Karen Emory 9:00 – 1:00
4 hour elective

Saturday, November 21, 2009
A. Principles of Effective Event Execution (formerly Event Sustainability) taught by Joseph Brooks 9:00 – 4:00
8 hour core course
B. Meeting management taught by Melissa Manzo McDevitt 9:00 – 1:00
4 hour elective
C. Legal Issues in Event Production taught by Lloyd Z. Remick, Esq. 1:30 – 5:30
4 hour elective

Saturday, December 12, 2009
A. Introduction to Event management & Business Success (formerly Event Solutions Process) taught by Dion Magee 9:00 – 4:00
8 hour core course
B. Event Operations & Risk Management taught by Ira L. Rosen, CFEE 9:00 – 1:00
4 hour elective
C. Sponsorship taught by Gail Bower 1:30 – 5:30
4 hour elective

Saturday, January 30, 2010
A. Integrating Event Strategies and Tactics (formerly Event Outcomes) taught by Ira L. Rosen, CFEE 9:00 – 4:00
8 hour core course
B . Corporate Event Leadership taught by Dana Giovinetti, CMP, CMM 9:00 – 1:00
4 hour elective
C. Fundraising taught by Patrick Feeley, 1:30 – 5:30
4 hour elective

Saturday, February 27, 2010
A. Principles of Effective Event Execution (formerly Event Sustainability) taught by Joseph Brooks 9:00 – 4:00
8 hour core course
B. Legal Issues in Event Production taught by Lloyd Z. Remick, Esq. 1:30 – 5:30
4 hour elective
C . Etiquette & Protocol taught by Karen Emory 9:00 – 1:00
4 hour elective

Session 2

Saturday, March 27, 2010
A. Introduction to Event management & Business Success (formerly Event Solutions Process) taught by Dion Magee 9:00 – 4:00
8 hour core course
B. Sponsorship (Part One) taught by Gail Bower 1:30 – 5:30
4 hour elective
C. Meeting management taught by Melissa Manzo McDevitt 9:00 – 1:00
4 hour elective

Saturday, April 24 , 2010
A. Integrating Event Strategies and Tactics (formerly Event Outcomes) taught by Ira L. Rosen, CFEE 9:00 – 4:00
8 hour core course
B. Etiquette & Protocol taught by Karen Emory 9:00 – 1:00
4 hour elective
C. Sponsorship (Part Two) taught by Gail Bower 1:30 – 5:30
4 hour elective

Saturday, May 29, 2010
A. Principles of Effective Event Execution (formerly Event Sustainability) taught by Joseph Brooks 9:00 – 4:00
8 hour core course
B. Event Operations & Risk Management taught by Ira L. Rosen, CFEE 9:00 - 1:00
4 hour elective
C. TBD
Saturday, June 26, 2010
A. Corporate Event Leadership taught by Dana Giovinetti, CMP, CMM 9:00 – 1:00
4 hour elective
B. Event Operations & Risk Management taught by Ira L. Rosen, CFEE 9:00 – 1:00
4 hour elective
C. Fundraising taught by Patrick Feeley, 1:30 – 5:30
4 hour elective

NOTE: JULY/AUGUST CLASS SCHEDULE TBD

Industry Resources

General Links

Bizbash - Excellent resource for the lastest trends in events. Focuses on New York area.
B-there - Online event management solutions for the meeting, trade show, and convention industries.
Conworld - Industry Directory for Meeting Professionals
International Special Events Society - Washington, DC Chapter of ISES
Effective Meetings - Advice for better meetings
Exhibitor Online - Exhibitor Magazine group online
Expo Web - Information site on expos
GWSAE - Greater Washington Society of Association Executives. Click on "Association Jobs"
HSMAI - Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association Intl. Lists info on their education events & resources for hospitality professionals
IACVB - Intl. Association of Convention & Visitor Bureaus
IAEM - Intl. Association for Exposition Management
ISES - Intl. Special Events Society
MPI - Meeting Professional International
MIM - Meetings Industry Member community. Membership is free. Great resource for meeting/event planners.
PCMA - Professional Convention Management Association. Click on "Chapters" then "job bank"
Successful meetings - Successful Meetings Magazine. Industry articles, news, tips, resources
SGMPNATCAP - Society of Government Meeting Professionals, National Capital Chapter
The Knot - Resource for Wedding Planners and Brides
The Special Event - The Special Event- Conference Trade Show
TSEA - Trade Show Exhibitors Association. Click on " Career Center"
TSNN - Trade Show News Network. Trade show resource site.
AFP - Association of Fundraising Professionals
ASAE - ASAE Website- click on "Career Headquarters" Association job listings
ASTD - American Society for Trainign and Development. Click on " Career Center", then "Job Bank"
Association Jobs - Senior level non-profit jobs
Career Builder - Internet job bank
CIMPA - Connected International Meeting Professionals Association. Click on "Job Leads"
Career Yahoo - Internet job bank
ClubCorp - Club Corp- a hospitality company.
College Grad Job Hunting - Internet job bank specializing in entry-level lobs
DC ISES - Washington DC chapter of ISES job bank
Flipdog - Internet job bank
Future Step - Executive search service for mgmt. professionals
Hospitality jobs - Hospitality Careers Online Job Bank
Help Wanted - Internet job bank
Hire Diversity - Internet job bank
Hoovers - Click on "Career Develpoment"
Hospitality Online - Hospitality industry positions
Hot Jobs - Internet job bank
IAEM - Intl. Association for Exposition Management
International Jobs - Lists international job postings
Job Options - Internet job bank
Jobvertise - Internet job bank
Meeting jobs - Meeting and hospitality jobs
Monster job site - Internet job bank
Monster Trak - Internet job bank designed for recent graduates
Net-temps - Internet job bank-temporary and permanent jobs
PMPI - Potomac Chapter of MPI- has a job bank
PRSA - Public Relaions Society of America's National Capital Chapter- click on "Job Line"
Washington Jobs - Washington Post's listing for the DC metro area
AHIA - Academy of Hospitality Industry Attorneys.

THE EVENT LEADERSHIP EXECUTIVE CERTIFICATE PROGRAM
School Of Tourism And Hospitality Management
Temple University
Room 320 Speakman Hall (006-68)
1810 North 13th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19122
voice: 215-204-5955
e-mail eventleadership@temple.edu

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