This course is a practical one, geared towards teaching the students how to successfully plan and execute an event. The course focuses on the many aspects of event management, as well as the critical "rules of thumb" that must be applied and adhered to in planning and executing an event. With this in mind special attention is paid to risk management, as well as to the details of an event, which are so very critical, yet can be so easily overlooked.

Session 1:
Identifying The Event Scope

• Ice Breaker
• Identifying the Purpose of an event
• Doing an event SWOT analysis
• Feasibility and Research
• Practical exercise - Choose an event, do a 'needs assessment' and SWOT
• (Handouts - definitions of meetings and events)

Session 2:
Planning and Preparation

• Identifying event elements
• Checklists, Usefulness of Microsoft project
  • Chronology
  • Agendas
• Practical exercise - do a checklist for an event
• Forming committees, resources, capabilities
• Logistics Management
• Contingency planning
• Tips for the event planner
  • Head tables;
  • Decorations, banners, signage;
  • Caterers etc.

Session 3:
Developing Budgets, Monitoring Finances

• The basics of budgeting - Leon Griffith
• Practical exercise
• Identifying your final event project

Session 4:
Sponsorships

Guest lecturer: Natasha Davis - Manager, Mobile Marketing/Communications TSTT

• Sponsorships and the Community (EMA)
• Negotiating Contracts
• Elements in Planning a major sponsorship event
• Developing a sponsorship proposal

Session 5:
Marketing and Hosting Your Event

• Event marketing
• Promotions
• Publicity
• Press releases
• Competition
• How to perfect the Master of Ceremonies job

Session 6:
Evaluation and Measurement

• Post-mortems
• 'Closing off'
• Event documents

Session 7:
Sport Event Management

Guest Lecturer: Anthony Harford - Managing Director, All Sport Promotions

Sessions 8 & 9:
Group Presentations