Program Features

The Associate in Business Administration in Event and Meeting Management provides the broad skills necessary to prepare for an entry-level position planning and managing professional events and meetings. Major courses cover managerial, marketing, and financial aspects of this field including an introduction to the industry and career paths. Core courses provide both needed foundational skill development and comprehensive exposure to the principles of business used to manage the functions common to any business enterprise. In addition to the core courses that are presented in the online environment, special topic seminars with guest presenters are scheduled throughout the year, generally at six-week intervals, on the Cleary campus. These seminars provide the opportunity for collegial exchange among students and presenters. Those students who choose to add practicum credits will work with Cleary planners to coordinate these seminars. Special topics may include expositions and festivals, nonprofit event planning, corporate events and business travel, weddings and social events, international meeting planning, and sports event management. The ABA in Event and Meeting Management provides excellent preparation for subsequent completion of the BBA with a major in Business Management, Marketing, or Entrepreneurship.

Career Benefits

According to the US Department of Labor, event and meeting planners held about 51,000 jobs in 2008. About 27 percent worked for religious, grant-making, civic, professional, and similar organizations; 17 percent worked in accommodations, including hotels and motels; 8 percent worked for educational services, public and private; 3 percent worked for governments; and 6 percent were self-employed. The remainder of 29 percent were employed by convention and trade show organizing firms and in other industries as corporate meeting and convention planners.

Employment of event and meeting managers is expected to grow 20 percent over the 2006-16 decade. Opportunities will be best for individuals with a bachelor’s degree and some meeting planning experience. As businesses and organizations become increasingly international, meetings and conventions become even more important. In organizations that span the country or the globe, the periodic meeting is increasingly the only time the organization can bring all of its members together. Despite the proliferation of alternative forms of communication such as e-mail, videoconferencing, and the Web, face-to-face interaction is still a necessity.

Program Learning Outcomes Upon the completion of the ABA in Event and Meeting Management, students will be able to:

• Plan, design, and manage successful meetings and events
• Communicate effectively with clients
• Develop budgets that reflect projected expenses and revenues
• Select facilities and vendors based on established objectives and budgets
• Negotiate and review contracts; understand contract issues
• Create an effective marketing plan to promote meetings and events
• Understand hotel/facility operations; effectively work with facility staff
• Minimize risk associated with event planning and operation
• Manage on-site operations professionally and effectively