The world’s best event leadership program belongs to Temple University’s School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management (STHM).
In an unprecedented run of success, STHM’s Event Leadership Executive Certificate program won the 2016 Haas & Wilkerson Gold Pinnacle Award. The latest honor marks the fourth time in five years that STHM’s program has earned this top worldwide recognition.
The award was announced Sept. 27 at the 61st annual International Festivals and Events Association (IFEA) Convention and Expo, held in Tucson, Ariz.
“We are thrilled to learn that the International Festival and Events Association has once again selected our Event Leadership Executive Certificate program as the best in the world,” said Dr. Aubrey Kent, STHM Associate Dean. “Receiving the Haas & Wilkerson Gold Pinnacle Award is a tremendous honor. With each year, STHM’s reputation as one of the world’s top continues to flourish.”
STHM’s Event Leadership Executive Certificate program has been crowned as one of the world’s best in 10 of the last 11 years. The program has won the Gold Pinnacle Award seven times and has received the Silver Pinnacle Award three times. The Pinnacle Awards, sponsored by Haas & Wilkerson Insurance, are distributed in 68 different categories and recognize excellence in festival and event promotions.
“Our program caters to leaders – and future leaders – in the events industry,” said Ira Rosen, STHM Assistant Professor and Director of the Event Leadership Executive Certificate program. “STHM’s Event Leadership Executive Certificate program has a track record of helping students from all levels of event planning extend their knowledge base and grow their skill set.”
Unlike other programs of its kind, STHM’s Event Leadership Executive Certificate program is delivered by highly regarded instructors with more than 20 years of industry experience. While the program requires no previous college education, about 90 percent of its enrolled students hold at least a Bachelor’s degree. More than 70 percent of its students are employed in the event-planning industry.
STHM’s Event Leadership Executive Certificate program can be completed in as quickly as six to eight months. The accelerated format is designed for professionals who are looking to grow their credentials in the special events-planning industry.
STHM’s program has received endorsements from IFEA, PHLDiversity, the Greater Philadelphia Hotel Association, the Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association and the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of the International Live Events Association.