Led by group president Jack Turner, class of 2026, the Event Planning Association Student Professional Organization eyes continued success and growth into the future. (Photo courtesy of Jack Turner)
In his freshman year, Jack Turner knew he needed to get involved if he wanted to stand out at Temple University’s School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management (STHM).
“I always wanted to study event and entertainment management,” says Turner, class of 2026. “As soon as I began at STHM, I wanted to immerse myself in the world of event planning and connect with my peers and professionals while also gaining insights into the industry.”
Determined, Turner quickly discovered the Event Planning Association—and immediately became a part of it.
The Event Planning Association is a Student Professional Organization (SPO) at STHM that provides key experiences and practical knowledge for students pursuing careers within the event management and planning industries. This is those roles within the sectors of sports, hospitality, tourism and entertainment.
Membership also allows students to build relationships with peers and established professionals in the event management field as a way to expand their insights and prepare for their entry into the industry.
After first beginning as the fundraising liaison and treasurer of the club, Turner, now in his junior year, was elected president of the group as a sophomore.
“I am very grateful to be serving as president of the organization,” says Turner. “Since I first joined the group, I’ve felt very dedicated and enthusiastic about the chapter’s mission and what the experience offers students like me who are looking to break into the event planning industry.
“Our goal is to provide our membership with experiences that pair with their classroom education to help them become equipped for success for the beginning of their careers and beyond.”
Turner and his executive team achieve this goal by providing members with integral resources, including working to help them develop key collaborative skills such as communication, organization and teamwork. Additionally, they offer tangible hands-on experiences like workshops, networking events, informational sessions and professional industry engagements.
“A key aspect of my responsibilities as president is to foster membership engagement,” says Turner. “We accomplish this by ensuring we have engagement activities for our members—I want to create a platform where members can truly learn from industry leaders, like from a KPMG, stay up to date on trends and connect with their potential future mentors and employers—all from the event planning and management industry.
“Our hands-on experiences are designed to foster collaboration, spark creativity and encourage career advancement for students who are passionate about the industries of event, tourism, sport, hospitality, recreation, entertainment and leisure.”
The chapter also shares an important partnership as the official Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) chapter at Temple University.
“Our connection to PCMA is a critical asset to our success as it allows our members access to a broader network of event industry professionals and resources,” says Turner.
“Pie a Professor” event was the SPOs most successful fundraiser to date.
(Photo courtesy of the Event Planning Association)
“As one of their student chapters, we gain exposure to PCMA’s vast network of professionals and events, providing opportunities for mentorship, internships and a direct path to industry engagement for our members.”
As part of the student learning experience, the Event Planning Association frequently assists with events in the STHM community. Most recently, the SPO held its “Pie a Professor” event in fall 2024 which was its most successful fundraiser to date. The group regularly hosts guest speaker events with thought leaders of the event industry, including speakers from Association Headquarters, Heritage Nationwide Exposition Services and more. This semester, it also offered its members an exclusive opportunity to tour The Fillmore Philadelphia, a prominent concert and event space.
Another notable accomplishment has been the SPOs development of its association’s “Exchange Closet,” a community initiative which provides professional business attire for students at no cost.
“It has been so rewarding to witness the continued success of our Exchange Closet,” says Turner. “We are incredibly proud to see students utilize this resource, especially during events like the STHM career fair, where we hope their access to such clothing helped make a difference for them.
The Event Planning Association’s Exchange Closet.
(Photo courtesy of the Event Planning Association)
“In addition to the “closet” initiative, we are also excited to be hosting a Holiday Clothing Drive this year. We encourage students when they return from winter break to contribute gently used professional clothing to help their peers prepare for interviews, internships and other career development opportunities—donations can be brought to the Center for Industry Engagement in Speakman Hall.”
The community has taken notice of the SPO’s continuous impact.
“I am continually inspired by my work with the Event Planning Association,” says Christine Cleaver, faculty advisor for the organization and associate professor of instruction for event and entertainment management at STHM.
“Watching students grow, develop their skills and thrive in a dynamic industry is incredibly rewarding. Their passion and dedication remind me why I love what I do, and I am proud to support them on their journey to success.”
As his leadership continues, Turner is proud to reflect upon their success, too.
“I believe that our group positively represents STHM and the Temple community by bridging a strong gap between academia and the event industry, which showcases the immense talent and skills of the students within this community,” says Turner.
“We offer an opportunity for passionate students to join a group that helps them as aspiring professionals develop their expertise, establish strong relationships with those in the field and build for their careers ahead—I am proud to think we can directly impact helping someone embark on a career of success.”