Every student in an Event Management program, or a program with Event Management elements, will have to take core Event Management classes. Most multi-year degrees will require multiple levels of this core class to be taken. These classes cover the basics of event management, and often start with event planning procedures. They also include event set up, laws that apply to event planning such as the Americans with Disabilities Act, permits, contractors, decor, security, techniques for evaluating an event's success and more.
People who pursue event management as a career require the same basic business skills that most people in business need to be successful. Event Management certificate programs include several basic business skill classes. Basic computer skills will be taught. This usually means an introductory class in Word and Excel at the least, and often a more advanced course in Excel will be included in the curriculum. Powerpoint and Access may also be covered. Business math will help students understand the math that they require in order to handle the financial side of event planning. Courses in business practices and economics help round out the basic business skills that an event manager needs to competently function in the position.
Sometimes, Event Management programs include basic courses in Humanities, as insight into these areas can certainly help a person plan a more successful event. The Fox Valley and Madison Area Technical Colleges both include these types of programs in their Event Management curricula. Introductory classes in sociology, psychology, human relations, diversity and other topics may also apply to the future event manager's career.
Event managers must make sure that people get to their events, and that their events stay within the confines of relevant laws and regulations at all times. Specialized courses in business and event law are often s part of these programs. Risk management is another subject relevant to the tourism and hospitality industry. General marketing classes are important, as are event and conference specific marketing classes.
Most Event Management programs will include some higher level classes that take a more in-depth look at some of the skills that make an exceptional event manager. Management classes provide students with the leadership skills they need to run an event team smoothly. Leadership seminars and partnership development can help planners create dynamic co-sponsored or produced events.