Meeting and Event Planning

Overview

Meeting and event planning programs include topics such as:

• Special event management
• Budgets and finance
• Site selection
• Contracts
• Vendors and negotiations
• Hospitality law

Internship

Internships allow students to develop skills at companies or organizations. Some meeting and event planning programs require students to develop a portfolio or complete an internship.

Schools

A few community colleges offer an associate degree in meeting and event planning. An associate degree usually takes about two years of full-time study.

A few colleges and universities offer bachelor's degree programs in meeting and event planning. A bachelor's degree usually takes about four years of full-time study.

See schools that offer this program.

Related Educational Programs

• Advertising
• Business, General
• Buying and Merchandising
• Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations
• Finance
• Hospitality Management
• International Business, Trade, and Finance
• Marketing
• Project Management
• Public Relations
• Purchasing and Contracts Management
• Recreation and Parks Management
• Travel Services Management

Related Careers

Careers Directly Related to this Program of Study

• Meeting and Convention Planners
• Wedding Planners

Other Careers Related to this Program of Study

• Caterers
• Office Managers
• Project Managers

Program Admission

You can prepare for this program by taking courses in high school that prepare you for college. This typically includes four years of English, three years of math, three years of social studies, and two years of science. Some colleges also require two years of a second language.

Below is a list of high school courses that will help prepare you for this program of study:

• Economics
• English Composition
• Introduction to Business
• Psychology
• Public Speaking
• Trigonometry

Typical Course Work

Program Courses

This undergraduate program typically includes courses in the following subjects:

• Communication
• Economics
• Public relations
• Event management
• Entrepreneurship
• Human resources management

Things to Know

Event and meeting planning courses often focus on cases drawn from businesses. Students use their analytical and problem-solving skills by examining real-life situations.

Business courses in high school can be useful preparation for a career in meeting and event planning. However, your high school transcript needs to show that you are preparing for a demanding college-level program.

Good skills in writing, speaking, and critical thinking are needed for advancement in the business world.

Schools

East Side Area

Central Washington University

• Family & Consumer Sciences--Event Management

King-Snohomish Area

Edmonds Community College

• Event Planning

Highline College

• Hospitality and Tourism Management

Spokane Area

Spokane Community College

• Hospitality, Tourism, and Event Management

West Side Area

Peninsula College

• Hospitality--Event Planning