Catalog Description

This course prepares students for a hotel sales and marketing position. Students study the scope and segmentation of the convention and group business market, the marketing and sales strategies to attract markets with specific needs, and the techniques to meet those needs as part of meeting and convention service. (Spring) [Graded (Standard Letter)]

Course Goal

To equip students with comprehensive knowledge and practical skills in the conventions and meetings industry, enabling them to effectively plan, market, and manage events while engaging stakeholders. Students will develop the ability to navigate industry complexities and apply best practices to excel in meetings and convention management.

Course Description

This course provides an in-depth exploration of the conventions and meetings industry, equipping students with essential skills in planning, marketing, sales strategies, and stakeholder engagement. Upon completion, students will be prepared to navigate the industry's complexities and excel in meetings and convention management.

Required Texts: Meetings, Expositions, Events & Conventions, 6th edition. George G. Fenich; ISBN: 9781792457784

Expected Learning Outcomes

• Scope of the Industry: Gain a thorough understanding of the convention and meetings industry, including various meeting types, the entities that host them, and innovative meeting venues that are shaping the future.
• Function Room Setups: Examine the various types of function room furniture, meeting configurations, and considerations regarding time and usage to optimize event experiences.
• Food Functions and Service: Identify different food functions and service styles, and address key issues related to beverage service, ensuring that culinary offerings enhance the overall event.

Course Grading

Participation, Attendance, Projects, Quizzes, and Exams

Your grade will be assessed based on your output and is not a personal evaluation of you or the amount of effort you or I believe you put in (although generally, putting more effort into an assignment translates into a better product and, therefore, a better grade). I am happy to meet with you at any time to discuss your performance and how you might improve going forward; note, however, that emails at the end of the term asking for grades to be adjusted/rounded upward will not be granted.

Course Grading Segment Explanations:

In-Canvas Assignments:

• Meetings and Events Competency Standards (Canvas)
• Organizers of Gatherings (Canvas)
• DMO Profile Study and Future Trends (Canvas)
• Case Study - Was Adding Exhibit Space Worth It? (Canvas)
• Exhibit Design Principles (Canvas)
• Speciality Service Contractors (Canvas)
• RFP (Canvas)
• Examples of Special Events (Canvas)
• Post-Conference Evaluations and Surveys (Canvas)
• Contracts (Canvas)
• Creating a Process for Sustainable Practices (Canvas)
• Needs Analysis (Canvas)
• Run of Show (Canvas)

In-Class Quizzes

• Quiz - MEEC Chapters 1 - 3
• Quiz - MEEC Chapters 4 - 6
• Quiz - MEEC Chapters 7 - 9
• Quiz - MEEC Chapters 10 - 12
• Quiz - MEEC Chapters 13 - 16

Guest Speaker Reflections

• Guest Speaker 1 Reflection Ten Tips
• Guest Speaker 2 Reflection Ten Tips

Group Venue Exploration Presentations

• Group Venue Presentation (Canvas)
• Group Venue Presentation Notes (In-Class)

Final Project Industry Presentations

• Final Project Presentation Submission (Canvas)
• Final Project Team Evaluation (Canvas)

Final

• Final Paper or Cvent Certification (Canvas)

• The instructor reserves the right to amend the calendar as appropriate during the semester.

Due Dates

All assignments (quizzes, exams, business case video submissions) are due BEFORE the due date/time listed. Late work may be submitted, but will be heavily penalized (50%) absent an extreme emergency (of which you should notify me as soon as reasonably possible). I reserve the sole right to determine whether an emergency is sufficiently extreme, or notice is provided at a reasonable time, to warrant the submission of late work.

Late Work

Please note that late work, except in cases of extreme emergency, will be heavily discounted (50% percent). Part of this is to model what you will face in your professional jobs with deadlines. To use some extreme examples, things like “my father died” would qualify as an emergency that could justify late work; things like “I waited until the last minute and now I can’t find the materials I need” would not count. Also, consider the timing of your communication with me: it is much better to say, “I was diagnosed with pneumonia this morning and I’m worried about being able to complete this week’s reading quiz on time”, than it is to email, “I was sick last week with pneumonia and couldn’t do the work” after the deadline has passed. Put yourself in the position of a supervisor; what would justify your employee missing an important work deadline?

Extra Credit

Extra credit opportunities will be announced throughout the semester. It is more important that you learn the material, not necessarily earn a good grade. However, understanding that grades are still important, extra credit is offered as an opportunity to all students.

Generative AI Tools

The use of generative AI tools (e.g. ChatGPT, Dall-e, etc.) is permitted in this course for the following activities, NOTE: Asserted facts, statistics, and definitions generated by AI and included in an assignment should be verified at their original source and that source must be cited in the assignment:

• Brainstorming and refining your idea
• Fine tuning your research questions
• Finding information on your topic
• Drafting an outline to organize your thoughts
• Checking grammar and style.

The use of generative AI tools is not permitted in this course for the following activities:

• Impersonating you in classroom contexts, such as by using the tool to compose discussion board prompts assigned to you or content that you put into a Zoom chat.
• Completing group work that your group has assigned to you, unless it is mutually agreed upon that you may utilize the tool.
• Writing a draft of a writing assignment.
• Writing entire sentences, paragraphs or papers to complete class assignments.

Not adhering to these AI guidelines will be considered academic dishonesty and result in prosecution as set forth in SUU Policy 6.33.

Attendance and Class Participation

Attendance and participation are mandatory! Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class period. Excessive absences will result in points being deducted from your grade. It is incredibly important to be present and participate in class. Points may also be deducted for lack of participation during class.

Course Credits 3

Registration Restriction(s): None