Event Planning Entrepreneur

This program has two modules:
•Event Planning and Management
•Start Your Own Business

Event planners need professional caliber information that explains everything from how to decorate, to the use of technology, and everything in between. In this course, offered by our accredited school partners, you will learn that information and much more. It is through planned events that we remember our shared history, our friends, family, and community.

The course includes information on greener events, corporate social responsibility, international best practices, and the expanding event field. You will also learn how technology, including the use of social media, may be harnessed to improve the financial, environmental, and other strategic outcomes of a special event.

After completing this course, you should be able to:
• Define the principles of event leadership
• Identify the steps for planning an event budget, solving problems, and making critical decisions
• Identify the requirements for working with vendors, securing a space, and marketing the event
• Identify legal considerations and guidelines for writing event contracts
• Identify the steps for starting your own event planning business

Have you ever eaten a Mrs. Fields cookie? Used an Apple computer? Listened to a hip-hop CD? Entrepreneurs brought these products to your world. People that start their own businesses and work for themselves are called entrepreneurs. For an entrepreneur the sky is the limit as far as earnings are concerned. An entrepreneur is someone who's recognized an opportunity to start a business that other people may not have noticed -- and jumps at it skillfully. Entrepreneurs can shape and create an opportunity where others see little or nothing -- or see it too early or too late.

This “Start Your Own Business” class will help you create the business you want. Throughout this course you will be working on your business plan and creating a quick comprehensive overview of the elements you want in your new business.

After completing this course, you should be able to:

• Comprehend entrepreneurship and opportunity
• Identify the steps for developing a business plan and marketing strategy
• Identify methods for managing costs and forming a financing strategy
• Comprehend commercial law and the importance of contracts
• Identify strategies for growing your business and eventually selling it

Enroll through one of our accredited university or college partners today!

Event Planning and Management Module 1
Event Leadership
• Anthropological and Sociological Origins
• Growth Opportunities
• Public Relations
• Global Business
• The Event Planning Profession
• Civic Events
• Models of Sustainable Event Leadership
• SWOT Analysis
• The Creative Process in Event Planning
• Gap Analysis

Event Planning and Management Module 2
Event Plan, Human Resources and Time Management
• Visual Cues
• Soundscaping
• Identifying the Needs of Your Guests
• Weight, Size, Volume
• Transportation and Parking Factors
• Composing the Event Plan
• Human Resource Management
• Leadership Styles
• Leadership Characteristics
• Organizational Charts
• Time Management

Event Planning and Management Module 3
Financial Leadership and Vendors
• Budgeting
• Producing Profit
• Controlling and Reducing Costs
• Ensuring Positive Event Cash Flow
• Accounts Payable
• Common Event Financial Challenges
• Contracting Your Vendor Partners
• On-Site Coordination
• Catering Management
• Coordinating Technical Production

Event Planning and Management Module 4
Marketing and Risk Management
• The 5 Ps of Marketing
• Internal vs. External Event Marketing
• Event Promotion Techniques
• Internet Marketing for Events
• Web Design and Management
• Risk-Averse Procedures
• Differences Among Morals, Laws and Ethics
• Future Trends in CSR
• Compiling with the Americans with Disabilities Act
• Why is CSR Important in the Special Events Industry?

Event Planning and Management Module 5
Virtual Events and Career Growth
• Virtual vs. Live
• Distance or Blending Learning?
• Creating New Revenue
• Tracking and Encouraging the Progress of Leaders
• Marketing Online vs. Virtual Events
• Environmental Sustainability
• Your First Five Steps to Creating Sustainable Events
• Cultural Sustainability
• Local Economies
• Promoting Your Greener Event

Event Planning and Management Module 6
Venues and Staging
• What is a Corporate Event?
• Who Attends a Corporate Event?
• History and Future of Corporate Events
• Types of Venus Site Surveys
• Common Venue Oversights
• Selecting a Venue
• Why is Staging Needed?
• Types of Staging
• Stage Configuration
• Choosing the Best Stage for Your Event

Event Planning and Management Module 7
Seating, Rigging, Lighting and Video
• Types of Chairs and Tables
• Estimating Seating Capacity
• Choosing the Best Seating Configurations
• The Basics of Rigging
• Rigging Equipment
• Rigging Points
• Elements of Light
• Gobos
• Three-Point Lighting
• Video Cameras and Controls

Event Planning and Management Module 8
Audio, Speakers and Design Teams
• Why Are Audio Systems Needed?
• Parts of a Sound System
• Types of Microphones and Speakers
• Preparation Spaces
• Presentation Management
• The Value of Rehearsals
• The Proposal Response Process
• Advantages and Disadvantages of Freelance and Corporate Design Teams
• Differences Between Freelance and Corporate
• Roles within an Event Design Team

Event Planning and Management Module 9
Developing a Design
• Drafting Software
• Venue Floor Plans
• Creating a Working Floor Plan
• Fundamentals of Design
• A Designer’s Toolkit
• Transforming Data into Design Research
• Using Your Design Palette
• Areas of Focus
• Design Approaches
• Common Scenic Styles for the Corporate Event World

Event Planning and Management Module 10
Environment Design, Materials and Presenting
• Providing Directions
• Providing Atmosphere
• Scenic Materials and Construction
• Scenic Painting
• Adding Finishing Touches
• How Scenic Concepts are Presented
• Illustration Styles
• Effective Presentation Models
• The Order of Your Presentation

Start Your Own Business Module 1
Entrepreneurs and Entrepreneurship
• Defining Entrepreneurship
• Free-Enterprise System
• What is a Small Business?
• Paths to Enterprise Ownership
• Benefits and Costs of Becoming an Entrepreneur
• Lean Startup Methodology
• What is a Business Plan?
• Business Plan Components

Start Your Own Business Module 2
Creating Business and Exploring Your Market
• What Defines a Business?
• Business Opportunity Decision Process
• Your Competitive Advantage
• Determining the Value of a Business
• Product Life Cycle
• Customer Research
• Segment and Industry Research
• Market Positioning

Start Your Own Business Module 3
Marketing Mix and Smart Selling
• The Marketing Mix
• Product, Price, Place, Promotion
• Advertising and Sales Promotion
• Publicity Potential
• Developing a Marketing Plan
• Sales Call
• Creating a Sales Force
• Customer Relationship Management Systems

Start Your Own Business Module 4
Costs and Financial Statements
• Start-Up Investment
• Estimate Value
• Fixed and Variable Costs
• Calculating Critical Costs
• Income Statements
• The Balance Sheet
• Financial Ratio Analysis
• Balance Sheet Analysis

Start Your Own Business Module 5
Cash Flow, Taxes, and Financing Strategies
• Cash Flow
• Working Capital Cycle
• Using a Cash Flow Statement
• Capital Budgeting
• Gifts and Grants
• Debit and Equity Financing
• Investing

Start Your Own Business Module 6
Legal Issues and Operating for Success
• Business Legal Structures
• Contracts
• Commercial Law
• Intellectual Property
• Protecting Tangible Assets
• Licenses, Permits, and Certificates
• Production-Distribution Chain
• Supply Chain Management
• Defining Quality

Start Your Own Business Module 7
Management, Leadership, Financing, Licensing
• The Entrepreneur as Leader
• Business Management
• Creating and Managing Organizational Culture
• Ethical Leadership
• Social Responsibility and Ethics
• Focus Your Brand
• Harvesting and Exiting Options
• Creating Wealth by Selling a Profitable Business

All required reference materials are provided with this program. Technical requirements:

Internet Connection
• Broadband or High-Speed (DSL, Cable, Wireless)
Hardware Requirements
• Processor - 2GHz Processor or Higher
• Memory - 1 GB RAM Minimum Recommended

Software Requirements
• Operating Systems - Windows 7, 8 or 10; Mac OS x 10 or higher
• Microsoft Office 2007, 2010 or 2013 or a Word Processing application to save and open Microsoft Office formats (.doc, .docx, .xls, .xlsx, .ppt, .pptx)
• Internet Browsers - Google Chrome is highly recommended
• Cookies MUST be enabled
• Pop-ups MUST be allowed (Pop-up Blocker disabled)
• Adobe PDF Reader

The Event Planning Specialist Certification (CEPS) exam from the National Career Certification Board (NCCB) prepares individuals for a rewarding career as an Event Planning Professional. One of the best ways to distinguish yourself in the Event Planning industry is to pursue a national certification from NCCB.

Certified Event Planning Specialists (CEPS) are responsible for coordinating every last detail of an event; regardless of the size of the event. He or she arranges everything for an event to include; venue, menu selection, entertainment, decorations and everything in between. As more companies learn the value of professionally organized events, there is an increasing need for formal training in event planning. Each state may have additional licensing requirements, be sure to research your states requirements for employment by visiting your states occupation board.

This course provides students with qualified support professionals to guide them through their learning experience. The student support team is available to answer any questions a learner may have including questions on course content, course material, certifications, and registration or enrollment questions. Support advisers also monitor the progress of learners to ensure training retention and program advancement.