This course is a basic to mid-level event planning and management course. It will be an experiential, handson learning class. This class will discuss definitions, categories of event planning, and current issues/trends of event management. Students will be assigned events throughout the semester which you will be expected to participate in the planning and execution of. This course will help practitioners be prepared for event planning in the working world.

The following will be used as resources during the class, but are not required texts. I have a copy for check out or you can purchase your own copies.

• Berger, A. (2008). Seeing is Believing An Introduction to Visual communication. San Francisco, McGraw-Hill, New York
• Harris, G. (2007). The Essential Event Planning Kit. Strategies and Tactics, seventh edition. Los Angeles: The Americas Group.
• Kilkenny, S. (2016). The Complete Guide to Successful Event Planning. Oscala, FL: Atlantic Publishing Group, Inc.

1. Know the foundational basics for event planning, management, and executing an event from beginning to end, including virtual events. Apply these methods to develop your own methods to aid in your planning. This will include experiential learning in helping to plan and execute campus events.
2. Communication, Organization & Leadership: Students will demonstrate their broad range knowledge by assisting in the conceptualization, planning and day to day execution of SUU Homecoming, Thor’s Thunder Classic Golf Tournament, Concerts, President’s Gala, One Utah Summit, Employee Engagement, and Student/Alumni Events throughout the semester. Students will build production schedules, help design the events, and complete assignments to carry out the event. Students will further demonstrate this knowledge through their group project presentation. Know the methods of communication, organization and leadership which will help students in event planning and management.
3. Organization & Management: Students will understand which methods of organization are available to them to assist in event planning and management. Students will explore effective methods of communication, organization, and leadership in managing a team, managing a project, and planning and executing an event. Students will demonstrate this knowledge through feedback papers, submitting a model of organization, and two event analysis’ as well as in class assignments. Students will also devise their own method of organization which they will use in their own planning. Students will also complete a leadership assessment and reflection of their leadership abilities to become more self-aware of the type of leader they are.
4. Production: Students will demonstrate a basic understanding of the production aspect of event planning through group presentations, applied knowledge on their semester project, going through rider definitions and a rider, and written/definition assignments.
5. Entertainment Event Planning: Students will demonstrate through group projects feedback papers, event analysis’, written assignments, and in a rider/contract review that they know the salient aspects of entertainment event planning. Know the unique aspects of social and entertainment event planning including weddings, community events, large and small scale concerts, etc. Know the unique aspects of corporate and political event planning including campaigns, campaign events, speech writing, working with security, messaging through visual communication, etc. Know the basic aspects of event contracts and technical production-i.e. Stage management, lighting, sound, staging, schedules, and production advances, dealing with production crews, and tech riders, as well as basic terminology associated with production. Students will have a basic knowledge of contracts and the contracting process.
6. Corporate & Political Event Planning: Students will demonstrate through discussions, a written speech, online assignments, and in group presentations that they know the salient aspects of corporate and political event planning.

Assignments

Please notice all due dates on the syllabus. Syllabus and due dates subject to change with advance notice. Your grade will be based on the following:

PARTICIPATION: You will receive points for being in class and for participating in our discussions as well as participating in ALL of the events for the semester. This is a hands-on class, you are required to be part of the planning, management, and marketing of these events. You will be graded on the number of hours you work on the event as well as attending and participating in management of the event.

CLASS EVENTS: Each of you will have a hands-on opportunity to observe, help plan, manage, execute and run events on campus this semester. Our priority in learning is for you to run these major campus events, and the emphasis in this class this year is on running and participating in these events. Your final grade will be based on the work you do on these events. Each member of class is required to help with Homecoming and the President’s Gala or Gala Concert. In addition, you will be required to choose one additional event. You will attend meetings where these events will be planned, as well as spend time out of the classroom completing aspects of the event you were assigned. You will present as a group after the event and talk through how the event went and what you learned.

CONTRACT RIDER/TEST & QUIZ: After the unit on contracts and riders, you will be given a contract and rider to go through. Based on what we discussed, you will be asked to cross through the contract and rider as though you were submitting it on behalf of a client. It will be graded based on our class discussion, the legal aspects you need to remember, and how well it matches the situation.

EVENT ANALYSIS: This is a straightforward analysis and reflection requiring critical thinking and problem solving abilities, analyzing a pre-approved event you attend. Please choose one virtual event and one in person event if possible. There are two due. Please summarize in two pages what the event was, how it went, the details you observed, problems or issues and how they were handled on the first page. On the second page, I’d like you to reflect, based on your knowledge and what we cover in class, what you would have done differently and how you would have solved the problems. APA style.

BI-WEEKLY ASSIGNMENTS: These assignments will be due on the week we learn about the topic in class. They will include: your top 10 event tips and your leadership self-analysis.

Grading

• Class Events/Project 600 points (includes hours worked)
• Class Participation/attendance 100 points
• Contract/Rider Exam 200 points
• Rider Activity 25 points
• Event Analysis 25 points each (2)
• Your Top 10 25 points
• Your Leadership Reflection 25 points
• Political Candidate Speech 25 points

Grading Scale

Homecoming Events - Must Choose One

Semester Events - Must Choose One

Holiday Events - Must Choose One

Schedule

If you miss a deadline when you’re planning an event, the event is in jeopardy. Same goes for assignments. Turn your work in on time or early if you won’t be in class. Tests must be taken before you miss class, not after. Only school excused absences or arrangements made with us prior to your absence will be excused.