Price:  £495 - 4 month Payment Plan Available (Click here for more details)  

Format:  E Learning
Course Code:  EPLEV3  
Award:  Level 3 Certificate 
Study Time:  250 Hours
Requirements:  No Entry Requirements

The Certificate in Event Planning is a fully interactive course which uses podcasts, videos, PDF's and Elearning material covering all elements from understanding the history of events and where they started to the latest trends and tricks of the trade. Your course will include 19 assignments, 15 of which are based on authentic an authentic event brief that will see you working your way through the Product Launch of a new perfume. These assignments will lead you through every stage of planning an event. You will be expected to treat your tutor as your client and the assignment you submit as your proposal.

Effectively you are building yourself a portfolio as you make your way through the course, allowing you to hit the ground running upon graduation. The last three assignments in the course focus on starting your own event planning business and marketing your services in this highly competitive marketplace. Included as part of your course material is a license to the Academy planning software. This license is unlimited and will be a great tool for you to use when you start your business. It can also be used throughout the course so you are familiar with it upon graduating.

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Course Units

1. The World of Events

• History of the Industry
• Event Types
• Event Do's & Don'ts
• The Function of a Corporate Event Planner
• Matching Personalities
• Career benefits
• Positions available within events

2. Think Like a Planner

• Why good organisation is so important
• The planning process
• Creating a reference file
• Creating a client file
• Top organisational tips

3. Creating a Concept

• Flirting with the 5 Senses
• Developing the Concept
• The 5 C's of Event Design
• Five Ways to Kill and Idea
• The Creative Process
• Brainstorming
• DO IT - a simple process for creativity

4. Developing a Theme

• Choosing a Theme
• Inspiration Boards
• Researching your Theme
• Using your Surroundings
• Telling the Story
• Creating the WOW factor

5. The Planning Process

• Preliminary Planning
• Requirements
• Why the budget is important
• Avoiding Mistakes
• Creating a Communication Plan
• Delegating tasks

6. The Venue

• Types of Venues
• Creating a Venue Brief
• Room Configurations
• Venue Terminology
• Venue Considerations
• F&B Packages within a venue
• Conducting a Site Inspection
• Shortlisting a Venue
• Reading the Small Print

7. Catering

• An Introduction to Catering
• Catering Choices
• Service Styles
• Menu Creation
• Choosing a Caterer
• Catering Terminology
• Culinary Trends
• Napkins, Cutlery & Glassware

8. Entertainment & Speakers

• Music and your Event
• Thinking about Entertainment
• Choosing a Speaker
• Choosing the right Entertainment
• Using an Agency
• Teambuilding
• The Timing of music and entertainment

9. Event Budgets

• The importance of a Budget
• Defining the Budget
• Budget Expenses
• Building a Budget Checklist
• Revenue/Income
• Creating an Event Budget
• Budget saving tips

10. Event Branding, Marketing & PR

• Marketing your Event
• The Marketing Message
• Marketing Agencies
• Online Marketing
• Social Media Marketing
• Event Branding
• R.O.I
• Sponsorship

11. The Proposal & First Consultation

• The 8 steps to an Event Proposal
• Meeting your Client
• Planning the Event Proposal Strategy
• Preparation & Research
• The Request for Proposal
• The Perfect Pitch
• Creating your Proposal
• Presenting your Proposal
• Protecting your Intellectual Property
• How much is too Much?
• Creating Proposals with Software Programs

12. Audio Visual, Lighting & Technology

• How to use Audio Visual
• Technical Budgets
• Lighting your event
• Staging & Special Effects
• Understanding Power
• Podcasting
• Simulcasting
• Audio Response Systems

13. Travel, Accommodation & Registration

• Assessing Transport Requirements
• Air Travel
• Group Travel
• Selecting & Viewing Accommodation
• Event Registration
• Online Registration Software
• Checklists

14. Corporate Gifts & Merchandise

• Merchandising at Events
• Why use Corporate Gifts
• How to Source Products
• Choosing your Products
• Recognition Gifts
• Hot New Trends

15. Suppliers & Staff

• Sourcing Suppliers
• Questions to ask
• Building Relationships
• Negotiating Tactics
• Finding Staff
• Temporary Event Staff
• Virtual Help

16. Preparing for the Event

• The importance of Preparation
• The Art of Scheduling
• Checklists
• Creating your Event Bible
• Shipping & Flights
• Contingency Plans
• What to do when you arrive

17. Managing the Event

• Thinking on your Feet
• Management of On Site Tasks
• Your Role with the Client
• Putting out Fires
• Near Event Disasters

18. Starting your own Business

• Finding Your Niche
• Your Target Audience
• Conducting Research
• Demographics & Market Analysis
• Evaluating your Competition
• Writing a Business Plan
• Tools of the trade & Associations

19. Advertizing & Marketing

• Creating marketing material
• Developing a marketing plan
• Marketing mistakes
• Designing your website
• Choosing advertising mediums
• Publicity and Public Relations
• Embracing Social Media
• To blog or not to blog
• The power of Networking
• Marketing on a Shoe String Budget

20. Finance, Contracts & Insurance

• How to launch on a small budget
• Business types
• Pricing your services
• Accountancy and procedures
• Office Design
• Hours of Work
• Goal Setting
• Time Management
• The basics of a planners contract
• Insurance and what you need

Student Testimonial

Brenda Garcia

Tell us what course you completed/are completing and why you chose this course?

I have just started the Certificate in Event Planning and I chose it after long research, I’m really interested in the world of events and I did some research in France, Spain, Switzerland and in the UK. I decided to enrol to this course for several reasons: a very good program that covers all the relevant information, great service provided (from Course Consultant), I asked for information in different organizations and I really had a good experience contacting Zoe who was always available to help me with all my questions.

What was it about the Academy that made you choose to study with us?

I did some research about the Academy, and I realized that it was exactly what I was looking for, I have taken into consideration the following: • Objectives and contents • The course combines contents about how to plan an event but also how to run a business • Opportunity to study online (I can fit my studies with my current job and I work at my own pace)

• Very short time of response
• Good advice from Zoe (my Tutor)
• A wide variety of materials (videos, PDFs, podcasts…)
• Web page (you can access some course samples)
• Real life assignments

What have you enjoyed most about your experience of studying with the Academy so far?

The good feedback from Tutors, the assignments (they are really helping me to know myself better which is the first step if you want to help others to define what they want when talking about their special event) and all the resources that the course offers. The assignments really challenge me!

What goals do you have beyond the course?

As a Learning and Development Coordinator, I organize corporate and educational events and I would like to improve my skills to run my own business.

Is the course preparing you for taking the next step?

Yes, the course is helping me to know more about this world and I’m learning about all the demands that this includes, also, my tutor is helping me a lot making me feel much more confident and working on my improvement areas. I’m currently working as a Learning and Development Coordinator, organizing training sessions and events for a multinational company and I have a lot to learn about this exciting world. The course is providing me with new concepts, tools and tendencies.

Have you undertaken any work experience since starting the course and if so, what was this experience like? How did what you learnt during the course prepare you for work experience?

I had the opportunity to help one of my colleagues organizing a corporate event for manager’s development and I organize different training events during the year. I always try to be involved in small events like birthdays or special events for my friends, which I enjoy a lot. I also love preparing presents for birthdays, every time I find an idea, I take a picture and then I spend some time combining my findings with my own ideas. I’ve been also taking some workshops related to floral art, pastry and food decoration to complement my course.

Tell us about your business if you are planning to launch one, or have launched one.

I would like to have an online company and I’m working on it but it is too soon to give you more details. All I can say is that it is one of my dreams and you are helping me a lot!

What would you say to anyone thinking of pursuing a career in Wedding and Event Planning?

It’s a very exciting job but it’s important to analyse and define if it’s the good choice, as it requires a lot of discipline and hard work.

Would you recommend the Academy to others and why?

Yes, the course is very complete and has a wide variety of resources, also, your tutor works really close to you and is always there to give you feedback and provide advice when needed.