Event Management at Algonquin College

Turn your passion for planning into an exciting career.

The Event Management Ontario College Graduate Certificate program prepares you for many exciting roles in the fast-paced event planning industry. Gain the experience, knowledge and real-world practice needed to be successful in this high-demand field.

Learn the logistics of planning an event, including risk management, project development and planning, accounting and financial skills, and marketing.

Gain critical event management skills, from acquiring sponsorships, to providing entertainment and creating programming, to people management and working in teams.

The highlight of the program is a real-world team-based fundraising event that provides you with an opportunity to make a difference in the community. You also benefit from 112 hours in an industry field placement, gaining more real-world experience and valuable industry contacts.

Graduates may find employment in:

• corporations or associations
• museums or attractions
• sports organizations
• wedding planning companies
• tourism organizations
• festivals or cultural organizations
• hotels or cruise lines
• government and non-profit organizations - locally, nationally or globally.

Positions include:

• event planner/coordinator/manager
• corporate event planner or event tourism planner
• wedding planners or consultants
• festival managers

You may also choose to pursue self-employment opportunities.

SUCCESS FACTORS

This program is well-suited for students who:

• Have a passion for planning, enjoy putting their plans into action and organizing events.
• Are able to meet tight and evolving deadlines, through the use of strong organizational and time management skills.
• Are able to manage and prioritize personal and professional responsibilities.
• Possess exceptional teamwork skills and the ability to motivate others
• Thrive in high-energy, challenging environments.
• Enjoy brainstorming and problem solving.
• Have strong computer skills.

Careers

Graduates may find employment as event planners, event coordinators, meeting and conference coordinators, trade show coordinators, corporate event planners, event tourism planners, entry-level event managers, wedding planners and consultants and festival managers. Graduates may also pursue self-employment opportunities.

Learning Outcomes

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

1. Develop and implement financial initiatives based on event objectives through methods such as sponsorship programs, grant applications, and fundraising initiatives.
2. Plan, design, and coordinate effective site and facility operations. 3. Apply the principles of marketing to events.
3. Apply strategies for effective human resource management to events.
4. Create, plan, and implement effective programming for events.
5. Apply accounting and financial knowledge and skills to the operation of events.
6. Apply business administration skills to the operation of events.
7. Apply the principles of professionalism and ethics to event management.
8. Identify and apply discipline-specific practices that contribute to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic commitment and environmental stewardship.

Program Eligibility

• Ontario College Diploma, Ontario College Advanced Diploma, Degree or equivalent.
• Applicants with international transcripts must provide proof of the subject specific requirements noted above and may be required to provide proof of language proficiency. Domestic applicants with international transcripts must be evaluated through the International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS) or World Education Services (WES).
• IELTS-International English Language Testing Service (Academic) Overall band of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each band; OR TOEFL-Internet-based (iBT)-overall 88, with a minimum of 22 in each component: Reading 22; Listening 22; Speaking 22; Writing 22.