Event Planning Certificate Course

Throw great parties? Fancy doing it professionally? Then this could be the right course for you.

It covers everything from planning and programming, booking accommodation and staff as well as budget, sponsorship and promotion. This course is ideal for those who are looking for a broad understanding of event management.

Your event management course will be split into bite sized sections, to make studying easier, and you will also have access to your tutor whenever you require it, for the duration of the course. So Start Learning now!

Distance Learning Support

At Start Learning we pride ourselves on our friendly and supportive tutors. Your tutor support will start as soon as you receive your course and will be valid for 12 months. All our tutors are highly qualified with extensive experience in supporting distance learning students. You contact your tutor via email and they are responsible for marking assignments answering your questions and guiding you through the course.

Entry Requirements

At Start Learning we believe that everyone should have the opportunity to expand their knowledge and study further, so we try to keep our entry requirements to a minimum.      

Recommended Hours of Study

We recommended you spend approximately 110 hours of your time studying for the Event Planning course. The pace of study is completely up to you. To give an example, if you dedicate 2 hours a week to the course it would take you a year to complete but if you could spare 4 hours a week you could complete it in six months. 

Course Contents

Module 1 - What is Event Planning and Management:  What kinds of events are we talking about? - What is event planning? – Celebrations – Education – Promotions - Commemoration

Module 2 - Typical Work Activities: Researching markets to identify potential for new events - Liaising with clients to ascertain their precise requirements - Producing detailed proposals for events, including timelines, venue - Suggestions and budgets, often to very tight deadlines - Securing and booking a suitable venue for the event - Selling stand/exhibition space to potential exhibitors - Creating a publicity campaign to promote the event to the public - Liaising with newspapers, TV, radio and other media - Writing press releases or briefs in order to gain maximum advertising coverage - Liaising with clients and designers to create a brand or look for the Event - Arranging accommodation for exhibitors and/or delegates - Co-ordinating venue management, caterers, stand designers, contractors and equipment hire - Keeping accurate records of client requirements and bookings - Organising tickets, posters, catalogues and sales brochures - Preparing delegate packs and papers

Module 3 - Why Do People Hire Event Planners? Advertising – Arts – Beauty - Car manufacturers - Communications companies – Education – Fashion – Hotels – Insurance – Medical – Pharmaceutical - Public Relations – Retail – Sports - Tourism

Module 4 - Benefits of a well-planned Event:  More sales, higher profits - Name recognition - Media attention and publicity - Product loyalty - Target marketing - Problem-solving – Education – Networking - Employee incentives

Module 5 - The Planning and Timeline Process: The tasks needed to be completed to ensure a successful event - The order in which these tasks need to be completed - The time in which they need to be completed – Pre event – On site – Post event

Module 6 - Administering the event: Whether the event is held indoors or outdoors - How many children are likely to attend - If it is dark or light - If there are unsound surfaces - If the weather is bad - If vulnerable people are present - If alcohol is being served - The type of event and composition of the anticipated audience – Stewards – Communications – Evacuation – First aid – Fire arrangements – Temporary road closures – Security – Barriers – Access and facilities for disabled people – Signs – The environment – Facilities – Insurance – Fireworks displays – Parking = Entertainment licensing
 
Module 7 - Planning and Programming: Agree on the type of event and the date 9-12 months ahead if you are able to - Establish a working group or committee if necessary - If you are looking for sponsors, begin to approach local businesses and companies 9-12 months ahead - Complete an Event Notification form - Special permission e.g. Entertainment Licence or Temporary Road Closure Order - Book your venue/site 9-12 months ahead - Arrange local publicity - Check the availability of sound equipment, marquees - First press release – First aid – Competitions – Volunteers – Finances

Module 8 - What to Do When Things Go Wrong: Risk assessments - Emergency services resources - Detailed casualty treatment, management and evacuation plan - Emergency procedures properly explained and practised - Chain of command and control - Communications between key personnel - Managing crowds safety - Guide to safety and sorts grounds - Safety and sponsored walks – Rules for competitions

Module 9 - Event Safety Checklist:  Event organiser - Safety manager - Chief steward - Temporary Road Closures - Entertainment Licence - Risk assessment - Health and safety measures - Entrances and exits – needs of disabled people - System of communication between key people - Crowd control barriers - Emergency vehicles - First aid facilities

Module 10 - Booking Accommodation: Room rates – What determines group rates – Time of year – Number of rooms required – Arrival and departure patterns – Future business – Past history – Last minute bookings

Module 11 - Bar Staff and Wine Service: Alcohol and liability - Professional beverage servers – Beverages in bulk and case discounts

Module 12 - Hiring a Band: Deciding on a band – Reserving a band – Written contract – Set-up requirements – cut off hours – background music and dancing music
 
Module 13 - Trade shows and exhibitions: Limitations – Fright lifts and ramps – Storage – Insurance – Regulations – Types of admissions 

Module 14 - Theme and Recreational Events: Sundry – Souvenirs - Gift and fruit baskets – Thank you gifts – Room gifts – Retirement or acknowledgement gifts - Awards – Unique gifts – Budget – Revenue – Expenses – Good planning and budgeting – Sponsorship

Module 15 - Staffing and recruiting: Good communication – Staffing assistance – Recruiting staff – The vacancy – Personal Qualities – Attracting applicants – Selection – References – The contract – Rates of pay – Training and development – Employment and the law – Wages – Discrimination – Working with vendors – Health and safety 

Qualifications

Upon successful completion of this course, you will gain Level 2 NCFE Certificate in Event Planning.

Examination Centre

There is no exam as such, although you will be required to complete a series of tutor-marked assignments. There is no word count for these assignments although you do have to prove to your tutor that you have fully understood the questions asked.

Language of Examination

English