2011-2012

Special Event Management

Technical Diploma — Downtown Milwaukee Campus 

Program Code: 31-109-2

This curriculum goes into effect starting with the summer 2011 semester.


This page was last updated in May 2011.

Overview — Special Event Management is a technical diploma program designed to prepare you for employment in entry-level positions in event management, meeting planning, convention sales, and hotel and resort representative companies. Some job titles include: event coordinator, meeting planner, convention and visitor bureau director, destination wedding planner, casino marketer, package tour coordinator, group travel leader, and fesivals and entertainment management. Prior to graduation, a 16-week internship gives students the opportunity to gain employment experience while simultaneously having the advantage of being supervised by a program instructor/coordinator. An associate degree in Meeting and Event Management also is offered, and all credits from this diploma program apply to the degree.

Career Outlook — Meeting planning is a growing profession. Many associations and corporations are hiring people whose main job responsibilities are to arrange, plan and conduct meetings. The meeting, events, conventions, and expositions industry contributes over $32.5 billion to the gross national product. There is a high demand for well-trained, educated, customer-service oriented employees to enter the events industry.

Program Learning Outcomes — Employers expect you as a program graduate to be able to:

• Develop meeting and event proposals (RFP)
• Apply your business computer skills
• Manage funding for on-site meetings
• Create program planning outlines
• Develop a realistic and comprehensive marketing budget
• Learn how to develop a volunteer management program
• Understand the role of a convention and visitors bureau (CVB)
• Recognize the different types of supplier contracts
• Identify legal issues concerning meetings and events
• Use good negotiation techniques in the meeting management environment
• Describe food and beverage needs for events
• Identify the factors for set-up of meeting spaces
• Understand the importance of planning for on-site emergencies

Preparation for Admission — The following are required for admission to the program:

• A high school diploma or GED
• Demonstration of proficiency in basic skills through a course placement assessment
• Typing proficiency of 30 words per minute or concurrent enrollment in OFTECH-103 Keyboarding
  

Effective communications skills, strong human relations abilities, and problem-solving skills will also contribute to your success in the program and on the job.

Possible Careers:

Activity Director
Amusement Park Supervisor
Chamber of Commerce Director
Communications Specialist
Convention and Visitors Bureau Director
Convention Services Manager
Corporate Travel Manager
Destination Wedding Planner
Director of Special Attractions
Entertainment Manager
Festival Event Manager
Food and Beverage Catering Manager
Meeting Planner
Museum Guide
Recreation Director
Resort Sales
Special Event Coordinator

Related Programs:

Business Mid-Management
Hotel/Hospitality Management
Management Development (Supervisory Management)
Marketing Management
Meeting and Event Management

For more information, call 414-297-7484 or e-mail vanwisp@matc.edu.

Curriculum effective 2011-2012.

Program curriculum requirements are subject to change.

For course descriptions, times, locations or to register online, visit INFOnline.