Distance learning studies in planning and managing events
An essential foundation course for students seeking to start an event management business, or for career and professional development.- Learn the processes of planning and managing successful events.
- Understand a full range of subject areas essential to managing events, including marketing, budgeting, health and safety, managing the delivery of food and beverages, and much more.
- Develop your abilities to use different research methods and assess research findings.
- Develop key project management skills.
- Learn about the processes to achieve desired outcomes.
- Specialise in areas of interest to you with a wide selection of Elective Modules.
What do Graduates of Event Management do?
- Sub-contract services to organisers of shows, conferences, concerts etc., on an event by event basis.
- Start their own business (Wedding planner, Party planner, Exhibition company, Conference organiser, etc.).
- Work in a larger established exhibition company.
- Work for hotels, reception centres, exhibition and conference venues, sporting venues or other enterprises involved with provision of events.
- Work for public or non profit bodies involved with running events such as festivals, celebrations, receptions, etc.
COURSE STRUCTURE AND CONTENT
- Study 8 Core Modules and then choose 6 Elective Modules.
The Core modules cover Business Studies, Event Management, Project Management, Leisure Facility Management I, Food and Beverage Management, Workplace Health and Safety, Marketing Foundations, and Research Project I.
Then choose 6 Electives from – Leisure Facility Management II, Tourism I, Bar Service, Adventure Tourism, Leadership, Personnel Management, Industrial Psychology, Entrepeneurship, Business Planning, Financial Management, Bookeeping I, Sales Management, Advertising And Promoting, Motivation.
All modules for the Associate Diploma In Event Management are summarised below.
The Scope of Event Management
Event management involves the management of any occasion that happens at a given time. Management of an event can be a complex and involved task, depending, of course, on the type and size of the event. Although extremely large events such as the Olympic Games require many years of preparation to succeed, the planning and preparation phase of any event will always require at least 60 – 80% of the total time involved in staging the event. The same principals will apply no matter how small or large the event being planned.
Events have become a way of life in today’s society, and are used to recognise special occasions whether public or private. Most societies throughout the world use organised events as a form of expression, whether it is for public grief, private celebration, as a show of strength or solidarity, to welcome others and so on. Today, organised events are used to help create business image, launch products, and to celebrate milestones and change. Organised events can also reflect a society’s position in the world or demonstrate public opinion. For instance, public response to incidents that occur in their own country or internationally may also instigate an organised event (e.g. fund raising for a natural disaster).
Events can be profound and moving (e.g. inauguration of a country’s new leader) or be a mark of respect for lives lost through earthquakes, flood, war or other dramatic occurrence. They can be intimate and private (e.g. a wedding), or a large public celebration (e.g. federation, a coronation, independence etc.). Whether large or small, these events present an opportunity for a well-organised Event Manager to take a leading role.
What is Event Management?
Event management is the process of making an event happen, from planning to the staging of the event to the conclusion of the process.
Event managers need to have a firm understanding of the event planned and the reasons for holding it: the What, Where, Why and Who?
- What type of event is to be held and what is the budget?
- Where is it to be held?
- Why is the event being held?
- Who is the event being held for, who are the supporters, and who is to be involved?
A well-managed event will meet the needs of its patrons. Private clients who use event managers to plan and implement their event will often have pre-set ideas on how the event should be run and may have very high expectations. They pay the Event Manager to ensure that all their ideas will work and the event lives up to their expectations. They may also expect the organiser to come up with a range of innovative and interesting ideas. This requires skills beyond those of an organisational and management nature.
An example may be a birthday party for a very wealthy client. The client may expect the Event Manager to show an extraordinary depth of imagination i.e. in the decorations used, the layout of the room, the menu planning and so on. The wealthy client may want the ‘party to beat all parties’. Second best may not be good enough.
It is wise for the event manager, irrelevant of the size and nature of the event, to use the approach: ‘That’s good enough’ is not good enough. Aim for excellence. Developing an excellent reputation is the best way to ensure ongoing work.
Event management also includes planning and organising the supply of equipment, materials and services well ahead of time. Careful planning enables the use of alternative resources should any of these resources prove be to be difficult to obtain.
Publicising the event is also important, and will encourage attendance. Even a visually pleasing pamphlet or leaflet to promote the event will go a long way to encourage people to attend. Publicising should begin well in advance of the event, as that will give people the opportunity to attend by planning their lives around the event. Creating publicity well ahead of time will allow:
- Marketing to be effective with a good ‘lead in time’.
- Advertising to be booked well in advance i.e. advertisers sell space many months before publication.
- People travelling from other cities or regions to organise their commitments and plan for accommodation, transport or any other needs with ample time.
Career Opportunities
There are many opportunities for event managers. Event managers may become involved in organising a wide variety of events. Some specialise in organising a particular type of event; and others will organise anything.
Events can include:
- Private functions (e.g. celebrations such as birthdays, weddings, etc.).
- Sports events (from small local events to large international events).
- Concerts.
- Conferences and Seminars.
- Tours.
- Business functions (e.g. product launches).
- Trade exhibitions.
- Art Shows.
- and more …
Salaries can vary tremendously, depending on the role you play, your experience, and the scope of the event. For example if you are working as an events manager for a friend’s 50th birthday celebration you may receive a low wage. However if you run your own business, or manage medium to large scale events you may receive significant wages.
Most event managers work in private sector businesses, but some can also work in the public sector. There are risks and challenges in running any business, so you will be faced with these if you run your own business. Most notably for this industry is that since it is event based work can be sporadic. You may have fluctuations in the amount of work that you have on, for example you may be inundated with weddings during summer but quiet during winter, or you may be overwhelmed with Christmas functions then quiet again through January. You may also find the hours can be challenging. You may have to work long hours leading up to and during an event which can be exhausting.
As an events manager you deal with managing many details, and this can be challenging, especially when things go wrong. You will also be dealing with all sorts of different people, from clients, to guests, to staff. Particularly in the case of clients, the events can be times of high stress for them, so they may be challenging to deal with. You will need to have good inter-personal skills to be able to deal with everyone involved.
How to become an Event Manager
Sometimes event managers may start their career working for a larger company that continuously organises and manages events, perhaps a concert promoter, an exhibition company or even a reception centre.
Often your career can start out by setting up and running your own business on a small scale. Before starting out though, you will need a good understanding of what's involved. You also need to develop networks, and have a good level of small business management skills.
HOW THE COURSE WORKS
You can start the course at any time.
It is studied by distance learning, so you can study in the comfort of your own home. But this doesn't mean you are all alone in your studies. Our highly qualified and friendly tutors are there to help you every step of the way. If you have any questions at all, they are always happy to help.
Each lesson includes set tasks, and is completed with an assignment which the student submits to their course tutor. The tutor will mark the assignment and return this to the student with comments and suggestions for further reading.
HOW THE ASSOCIATE DIPLOMA IS ASSESSED
The Associate Diploma In Event Management requires approximately 1,500 hours of study. It is made up of fourteen 100-hour modules, a research project and 100 hours of industry experience/work experience.
To pass the course –
- Pass all assignments on the 100-hour modules. There will be an assignment at the end of each lesson to submit to your tutor for marking and feedback.
- Pass 13 examinations – one on each module. These are usually taken at the end of the module and can be arranged at a time and location to suit you.
- Complete Research Project I.
- Complete a Workplace Project. The project should last around 100 hours. There are four options available to you to satisfy this requirement. Don’t worry if you are not sure at this stage, your tutor will be there to help you every step of the way. This include evidence of work experience or other studies or workshops, a research project or completion of Workshop I.
STUDYING WITH ACS
Quality courses - expert tuition - unlimited support.
At ACS we provide you with more than just a set of course notes.
Your 'learning package' includes:
- Course notes.
- Self-assessment quizzes.
- Assignment feedback.
- You can interact one on one with a professional tutor with decades of experience - just email, phone or log on to chat to connect with them.
Enrolling is easy - just select your payment option and study method - choose the online option for a 5% discount on the course cost.
ANY QUESTIONS?
Our expert tutors are more than happy to help and advise you with any questions regarding the course. Please get in touch with our specialist Hospitality tutors today.
If you are looking to advance your career or start a business in Event Management then studying the Associate Diploma In Event Management will provide you with a great depth of knowledge and applicable skills. Study when and where you want to - fit your studies around your existing work commitments. Why delay? Enrol today!