MODULE 1

Introduction & Industry Overview

(Estimated time: 30 minutes)

Welcome to the multibillion-dollar meetings & events industry. This module presents the big picture of the global meetings & events industry & how the industry impacts destinations, tourism, & business through people gathering & meeting.

The business is about people & how the power of meetings & events influence, inspire & effect change in the world.

MODULE 2

Business Theory & Application

(Estimated time: 1 hour 30 minutes)

No More Useless Meetings!

Meetings & events are integral to any business &, because of this, understanding & applying business theory & concepts is a best practice for the planner in working with various stakeholders.

From concept to completion, utilizing steps & procedures to support the purpose of the event helps keep everyone focused on successful outcomes & equips you, the planner, with business tools to focus on & accomplish goals.

MODULE 3

Sourcing & Site Selection

(Estimated time: 2 hours 30 minutes)

Finding the Right Fit Affects Everything

Your venue is more than a location, it is the stage for your event story.

Learn the options on how to find spaces that amplify your vision, navigate RFPs & contracts with confidence, & use virtual site visits to shape design & flow, so every detail works together to create a memorable experience.

MODULE 4

Freelance Staff

(Estimated time: 1 hour)

Creating Your Onsite Support Team

Well-executed events cannot be done solely from a logistical and risk management viewpoint. Professional planners have years of experience in wide areas of expertise that you will benefit from. Bring peace of mind to the meeting with the right freelance talent.

Learn how to source and collaborate with professional staffing partners, avoid common pitfalls, & manage teams effectively, so every role supports a seamless, engaging, & successful event experience.

MODULE 5

Volunteerism

(Estimated time: 1 hour)

Consider Yourself One of Us!

Volunteers are the heart & driving force behind many associations, non-profits, & major events.

Learn how to build programs that attract, manage, & recognize them effectively. Discover how volunteers reduce costs, amplify your brand, & build community, so every event, from sports to social impact, delivers a more meaningful & successful experience.

MODULE 6

Sustainability & Green Events

(Estimated time: 1 hour)

Repurpose, Reuse, Reduce!

The importance of sustainability in meetings & events is important & is a growing requirement for companies & business operations.

From venue to exhibit floor, learn how to align with partners who share your values & make smarter choices, so your events reduce impact, reflect purpose, & contribute to a more sustainable future.

MODULE 7

Registration & Data Responsibility

(Estimated time: 1 hour and 30 minutes)

Let Me Know if You're Coming

Registration is often the first real interaction attendees have with your event & it sets the tone from the start. From pre & post event, registration is linked with marketing & event outcomes.

Learn how to create a smooth, user-friendly process that supports both logistics & marketing, while protecting data & tracking KPIs, so every touchpoint builds confidence, boosts engagement, & clearly demonstrates your event’s impact.

MODULE 8

Food Beverage Catering

(Estimated time: 2 hours)

Let Thy Food be Thy Medicine

If Hippocrates were alive today, he would marvel at how food shapes the meetings & events experience.

Food plays an integral role in any meeting or event. It is the foundation for human connection. More than nourishment, food influences behavior, perception, & well-being.

Planning menus requires knowledge of food, meeting timing, behavior. Learn how to design menus that reflect your brand, create memorable sensory moments, & bring people together, while meeting diverse dietary needs, so every detail enhances the overall event experience.

MODULE 9

Transportation

(Estimated time: 2 hours)

Let the Wheels Keep on Turning!

From the Silk Road to space tourism, transportation has always brought people together. It is the first impression for guests on arrival & the last impression on departures.

Learn how to move attendees, equipment, & materials safely & seamlessly across local destinations & global events. From vehicle selection to working with transport partners, discover how thoughtful planning reduces risk & keeps your event running smoothly, so every journey becomes part of the overall experience.

MODULE 10

AV Production

(Estimated time: 2 hours 30 minutes)

See Me, Hear Me, Teach Me

Welcome to the theater of Meetings & Events! No meeting works with a ‘script’ & when the meeting or event begins, every sight & sound matters.

Learn how to collaborate with audiovisual teams to deliver seamless, high-quality experiences across in-person, virtual, & hybrid events. From content to technical execution, discover how strong AV planning shapes mood, communicates your message, & reduces risk when it matters most.

MODULE 11

Event Design & Décor

(Estimated time: 2 hours and 30 minutes)

Event Design & Décor

Everything - absolutely everything - that guests see & experience during an event, whether in person or virtual must be a deliberate choice that supports the overall vision, branding, message.

Learn how visual design, space, & experience come together to create a cohesive flow & sensory journey. By aligning design with strategy, planners turn ideas into impactful experiences that communicate clearly, engage audiences, & deliver measurable results.

MODULE 12

Music Entertainment & Speakers

(Estimated time: 1 hour and 45 minutes)

I Hear You, I See You, I’m Listening to You

Music is a universal language of nonverbal communication, & nothing plays a more important & inspirational role in meetings & events than the planned & managed use of music, entertainment & speakers (MES) to bring us together, its influence, effects & applications.

Learn how to use these tools to shape themes, deliver messages, & create engaging experiences that impact, stimulate, enliven & inspire behavior to bring people together.

MODULE 13

Event Marketing & Sponsorship

(Estimated time: 2 hours)

Eat Your Ps Please!

Regardless of all the time, energy & resources invested in planning and producing an event, without people, there is no event.

Event marketing is time sensitive strategy targeted to connecting with the right audience through clear, purposeful messaging that invites them to react. Learn how to generate awareness, build excitement, & inspire participation, whether you are promoting a brand, designing an activation or launching a new service.

MODULE 14

Production Schedules & Budgeting

(Estimated time: 1 hour 45 minutes)

The “Big Picture”

Regardless of what you do in life, it costs either time or money, & it is no different for meetings & events. Learn how to manage time, budgets, & expectations while keeping stakeholders aligned.

Planners are responsible for keeping all moving forward – on time, on budget. Through careful planning & clear communication, planners can make informed decisions, stay on track, & deliver events efficiently without compromising quality or outcomes.

MODULE 15

Risk Management, Safety & Security

(Estimated time: 1 hour 30 minutes)

Plan B: B Prepared!

STOP here. The planner's most important responsibility is to ensure the safety & security of all event stakeholders.

Learn how to anticipate risks, work with professional security partners, & plan for every scenario from the onset. From environment to vendors, effective safety planning protects people, reduces risk, & ensures every event is delivered with care & confidence.

MODULE 16

Legal Aspects

(Estimated time: 2 hours)

The Causes & the Clauses!

Be aware & beware. Meetings & events require understanding legalities – there are people involved & major business risks. Adhering to compliance is a major responsibility from the start of event planning, from sourcing sites to selecting vendors.

Learn how to navigate RFPs, contracts, & agreements with confidence, so all parties are protected & risks are minimized through informed, careful decision-making.

MODULE 17

Insurance

(Estimated time: 1 hour)

If Anything Can Happen … It Will!

At one time, the insurance industry struggled to understand the risks involved in meetings & events. It is live, involves people, moving heavy equipment, special effects, & so on. Today, planners must navigate complex exposures, from transportation to activities & equipment.

Learn the essential types of insurance & how to manage liability, so you are prepared for the unexpected & can plan with confidence while protecting your clients & events.

MODULE 18

Tackling Technology

(Estimated time: 1 hour and 45 minutes)

Man or Machine—Who is in Control?

Choosing technology is no longer optional, but essential to delivering efficient, data-driven events. Choosing from the various platforms can be daunting. Learn how to select, manage & maximize use of the right tools to manage registration, engagement, & post-event insights.

From pre- to post-event, understanding how platforms support your goals helps you streamline processes, protect data, & enhance the overall experience for both in-person & virtual audiences.

MODULE 19

Fast Forward & Finale

(Estimated time: 2 hours and 15 minutes)

The Best Way to Predict the Future is to Create It

Technology is transforming how we plan & deliver events at an accelerating pace. Planners must stay informed on what’s new, what’s next, & what works to achieve results. From AI to virtual & augmented reality, understanding both the benefits & risks is essential.

Success comes from aligning tools with clear objectives, guiding stakeholders, & making informed, collaborative decisions. Thoughtful use of technology & communication can elevate engagement, streamline delivery, & unlock stronger outcomes across any audience, anywhere.

This module also includes a high-level review of all 19 topics in the Certificate program, reinforcing key concepts and sparking fresh insights.