Program Features
The Event and Meeting Management Certificate program offers the opportunity to expand knowledge and skills within this growing industry. This certificate program assists in preparing students for the Convention Industry Council's Certified Meeting Professional exam.

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. Special topics may include expositions and festivals, non-profit event planning, corporate events and business travel, weddings and social events, international meeting planning, and sports event management.

Career Benefits
According to the US Department of Labor, event and meeting planners held about 51,000 jobs in 2008. Approximately 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 remaining 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. As businesses and organizations become increasingly international, meetings and conventions become even more important.

Program Learning Outcomes
Upon completing this course and receiving a Certificate in Event and Meeting Management, students will be able to:

• Organize and manage all aspects of successful meetings and events
• Work effectively with internal and external clients
• Create and manage risk-minimized budgets and accurate revenue projections
• Select facilities and vendors based on established objectives and budgets
• Negotiate and critically review contracts; acquire a basic working knowledge of meeting-related contract issues
• Create an effective marketing plan to promote meetings and events
• Understand hotel operations and pricing and facility operations; effectively work with facility staff
• Minimize risk associated with event planning and operation