Diploma in Event Planning

Are you a dynamic person who loves events? Are you looking for an exciting career in a fast-paced industry where every day brings something new?

Our Event Planning program will teach you event project management fundamentals through a variety of event types including hospitality events, weddings and other social events, fundraising events, meetings, conferences, and trade shows. You will take part in event management opportunities each semester, culminating in a final capstone event and a 14-week externship placement. This experiential approach to learning and the course mix, including event-specific courses, business foundations, and hospitality, will provide you with the skills to jumpstart your career in event management.

Students are exposed to industry tactics used in designing, planning, marketing, budgeting, execution, and evaluation of events. Management skills, small business development, and state-of-the-art technology for the current marketplace are explored. The program is taught online and in-class lectures. Group work and individual assignments are highlighted by a capstone project and externship.

Your Field Education Options

This program provides a final capstone event and a mandatory 14-week externship placement. George Brown works with employers and industry partners to identify potential work experience opportunities. Students are also strongly encouraged to pursue self-directed event management industry work experience opportunities they believe would provide the learning experiences they value and meet the program's learning outcomes. This valuable work experience can be added to your resumé.

In addition to more formal on-the-job work experience, George Brown College endeavors to provide learning opportunities with real-world challenges and customers.

Required Courses

** Based on the results of your placement test, you may be required to take COMM 1003 (English Skills) or CESL 1003 (English Skills – ESL) before progressing to COMM 1007. You may also be required to take MATH 1000 (Math Foundations) before progressing to MATH 1102 (Mathematics for Hospitality). COMM 1003/CESL 1003 and MATH 1000 do not count as courses required for graduation and you will be charged for these extra courses.

The graduate demonstrates the ability to:

• Plan and design events to meet organizational and client objectives.
• Select food and beverage catering services, site location and decor, according to the theme and needs of an event.
• Develop marketing plans and related promotional plans for events that will meet the needs of the organization and/or client.
• Coordinate and/or supervise staff, contractors and volunteers in order to achieve the desired performance.
• Employ best practices for financial management in the planning of events.
• Manage the business transactions of event projects to meet organization and/or client needs.
• Develop strategies to mitigate risk and liability to ensure the safety and security of participants during an event.
• Maintain ethical practices and professionalism in the events field to create positive relationships and experiences.
• Apply strategies that support intercultural awareness and inclusion in event offerings that meet the needs of diverse populations.
• Use industry-standard technology platforms, systems, tools and applications to support the operations of events.
• Secure monies through sponsorships, funds, or grants to support event objectives.
• Engage in ongoing learning for professional and career growth.
• Identify and respond to new career opportunities that may include contract work and entrepreneurship, to secure employment.
• Communicate information persuasively and accurately in written, verbal and interactive formats.

Your Career

You will have your pick of exciting and challenging roles such as:

• Event planner
• Conference planner
• Meeting planner
• Catering manager
• Incentive travel manager
• Festival planner
• Social event planner
• Event fundraiser
• Volunteer coordinator

Future Study Options

Earn a diploma and a bachelor’s degree. Qualified graduates of our Event Planning program may be eligible to enter the Honours Bachelor of Business Administration (Hospitality) degree program at George Brown College as an advanced standing student in September or January. You may also choose to start in the spring bridging semester from May to August, continuing into the degree program in September. This educational path requires a minimum grade point average of 3.0 to qualify. Talk to a program coordinator about articulation options.