Certificate in Meeting and Event Management
Hospitality and Tourism Management | College of Professional Studies

With some of the most recognized meeting, event and exhibition venues in the world, Chicago has long been a center for professional associations and events management. Students interested in employment and career advancement in this dynamic and growing field may earn a certificate by completing a sixteen semester hour sequence. These courses may be applied toward undergraduate degrees. All courses must be passed with grades of C or higher.

The certificate has four required core courses (10 semester hours) and two courses (6 semester hours) chosen from a select list of events related electives.

The Core Courses:

HOSM 231 Introduction to Meeting and Event Management: Corporate and association meetings, conventions and trade and consumer shows in historical, operational and economic perspective. The role of meeting planners within their organizations and their relationships to the industry suppliers. Career opportunities introduced by industry professionals. 3 semester hours.

HOSM 312 Green Meeting Management: An in-depth look at the principles and methodology behind developing green, carbon-neutral and sustainable meetings and events. Students will learn how to partner with eco-friendly venues, methods to reduce, reuse and recycle meeting and event materials, how to educate and engage attendees, examine events’ carbon foot-print, planning and ordering appropriate food and beverage choices, and methods to measure their green meeting success. 1 semester hour.

HOSM 315 Application and Techniques of Meeting & Event Management: Tools needed to plan and manage successful meetings, events and conventions. The functions of meeting and convention planning as defined by the Convention Industry Council. Including objectives, program design, contracts, budgeting, marketing, specifications and evaluation. 3 Semester hours. Prerequisite: HOSM 231

HOSM 317 Issues and Trends in Meeting and Event Management: Topics may include: legal issues, negotiations, adult learning and experiential environments, interactive program design, marketing and communications, new technologies, and return on investment. 3 semester hours. Prerequisites: HOSM 231 and 315

Plus two of the following elective courses:

HOSM 319 Event Sales and Service: An in-depth look at the principles, trends and practices of venue marketing, sales and service management as related to meetings and events. Use of technology to organize sales, build customer relationships and communicate meeting and event details; internal department relationships to the meeting and event function; service manager's relationship to outside vendors such as audio-visual companies, destination marketing and management companies are considered. 3 Semester hours. Prerequisite HOSM 231

HOSM 323 Exhibition Management: History and development of the exhibition industry; activities of its key participants, including exhibitors, attendees and support organizations. Site selection, budgeting, negotiating, registering, scheduling and promoting exhibitions; exhibition design, labor management. May be taken concurrently with HOSM 231. 3 semester hours.

HOSM 324 Special Event Management: Site selection, entertainment, catering, pyrotechnics, equipment and tent rental, props, floor décor, lighting. Buyers of and markets for special events. May be taken concurrently with HOSM 231. 3 semester hours.

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