Meeting & Event Planning Certificate Program
Now accepting registrations for October 5, 2012 Fall MEP program.
(Download the 2012 MEP Schedule)
The Center for Executive Education at Belmont University, in partnership with Meeting Professionals International Tennessee Chapter, offers a Meeting and Event Planning Certificate Program. The program is collaboratively taught by some of Meeting Professional International's most outstanding members, seasoned meeting and event professionals, each with his or her own area of expertise. If you are responsible for planning meetings for your business whether it be health care, non-profit, a governmental agency, public corporation, a privately held company or your own business venture, this five session certificate program will give you new skills to work more effectively and more efficiently.
THIS PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO:
- Expand your knowledge of event planning
- Provide you with specific instruction about event planning and execution under the guidance of some of middle Tennessee's top professionals
- Prepare you to be a more effective negotiator with meeting vendors
"I learned so much during the Meeting & Event Planning course. My experience at Belmont's Center for Executive Education was incredible! The presenters were insightful and well prepared, the subject matter was covered in depth by industry experts. The class was enjoyable and well worth my time. I would highly recommend Belmont University's Center for Executive Education to anyone wishing to further their career and gain valuable knowledge by people who know their subject. Belmont truly understands what professionals need to keep current in today's marketplace." - Kimberly Bean, Hall of Fame Coordinator, Nashville Alliance for Public Education, MEP Spring 2011
Meeting Planning Basics – Melanie Fly, CMP
Learn best practices in modern meeting planning management. The administration, coordination, marketing, legal, ethical and risk management of managing meetings will be covered. Practical case studies will be applied to real-life meetings management.
Site Selection – Carol Norfleet, CMP, DMCP
Learn the hotel lingo and how to use it. Learn how to prepare an RFP (request for proposal) for an event to help select the best site for specific events. Learn what is most negotiable during the contract process as well as expectations of site/hotel guarantee, attrition, and billing policies. Discuss the latest buzz in the travel industry regarding security, safety and crisis management. Take away site selection checklists, RFP templates, ADA information and examples of site and hotel contracts.
Event Budgeting & ROI – Christy Wright
Determining and managing a budget for an event or meeting is one of the most important aspects of guaranteeing successful results, but that’s not the end of the story. Once your event is complete it’s even more important to report the results in an effective manner. Ensuring the budget drives results, event ROI, means increased revenues and continued business. Attendees will also have the chance to participate in a “mock” budgeting and ROI project in which they will put these skills to the test and learn to work together to achieve necessary results.
Event Marketing & Social Media – Don England and Robyn McCamy
Technology has become one of the most important aspects of an event; additionally, as one of the most expensive costs of an event, technology goes hand in hand with event budgeting. Learn the basics of A/V production, including vocabulary and vendor references. Learn the current trends in meeting planning software and hardware to improve your processes and efficiency. This session will also include innovative ways to use social media to market and communicate with clients and vendors.
Food & Beverage Planning – Vicky Ballard, CMP
Learn food and beverage terminology and how to plan and execute a creative, successful event. The class will cover the “nuts and bolts” of food and beverage, including: terminology, food & beverage basics, menu planning, conducting a successful tasting, off-premise catering, wine & liquor service, pre-con meetings, billing and credit issues, support services, hosting a “green” event and much more.
Introduction to Special Events – Gary Musick
Explore the nuts and bolts of creating events that are truly special. This class will build on all the previous classes as a foundation to coordinating themes, decor, and entertainment. Learn how to think creatively and originally when planning so customers, clients, and co-workers leave with a memorable experience. This session will include opportunities to create real-life events that can be used in the participants' individual work environments. Leave with checklists, directories and resources to use in planning special events.
