There are 9 lessons in this course:

1. Scope and Nature of Event Management
2. Developing the Concept
3. Physical and Human Resources
4. Project Logistics
5. Marketing an Event
6. Financial Management
7. Risk Management
8. Staging the Event
9. After the Event

Business Studies

There are 8 lessons in this course:

1. Establishment Procedures
2. Management Procedures
3. Communication in Business
4. Problem Solving
5. Staff Management
6. Productivity
7. Financial Management
8. Marketing Techniques

Wedding Planning

There are 9 lessons in this course:

1. Nature and Scope of Weddings
2. Planning Weddings
3. Managing People
4. Managing Locations
5. Managing the Program
6. Other Issues: Photography, Video, Flowers, Clothing, Beautician, Gifts etc.
7. Managing the Client
8. Managing the Wedding Day
9. Operating a Wedding Business

Event Management Tips

Some events occur almost naturally, whilst others need to be initiated from a very original, creative, and sometimes obscure thought.

Naturally Occurring Events
The stimulus for these events may not always be obvious. Many organisations conduct events simply because “that is what this type of organisation does.” A garden club would conduct an annual flower competition or show, because most garden clubs do that. A trade association would conduct an annual trade show, because that is what most trade associations do.

For example:

• A visit by an extraordinary celebrity, public speaker, sporting personality or musician will frequently initiate the organisation of an event to capitalize on the opportunity of their presence.
• When people decide to play sport or music together; this invariably leads to events being organised to display their performance.
• When people form organisations such as clubs, societies, associations, or professional institutes meet, it becomes a natural progression to organize conferences, seminars or shows and exhibitions relevant to the group.
• Celebrations are often associated with baptisms, birthdays, weddings, graduations, (and in some cultures), beginning of manhood or womanhood.

Creating New and Original Events
The stimulus to initiate some types of events may come from a creative mind that either intentionally or unintentionally foresees an opportunity to do something different. In some instances, the motivation for this new idea might be financial gain, but in other instances, the motivation may be more altruistic (for the social good, or simply for the fun of it).

Creativity and Lateral Thinking
In today’s world, there is often a great deal of competition for patronage at events. To be successful, your event needs to not only be different, it must appear different before it even takes place. To make your event unique, you need to be thinking differently from how other event managers think. Learn to anticipate what they will do, and then attempt to do something not only unique, but better.

Success is not a matter of money. An innovative approach may often attract more visitors, or at least more profit, and still cost less to stage. The opportunity for repeat business is also more likely for innovative event managers.

For example, some event managers with international reputations have achieved success through their imaginative approach, their extremely high standards and their eye for detail. They may be organising a birthday party for a celebrity in the UK one month, and the next month, be halfway round the globe doing the same for another famous person. Clients may be paying hundreds of thousand of dollars for their special event, so expectations are high; patrons expect to not only enjoy themselves, but to have to have an unforgettable experience. The event manager may source decorations from Hong Kong, wine from France and food from somewhere else. Every item down to the smallest detail will be scrutinised for quality and suitability; even the way in which the tablecloths are placed on the table will be considered an important detail. Some of the attendees may be the same; so in order to offer their clients a unique experience, the successful event manage may never use the same theme, decorations or menu twice. These event managers are popular and respected due to their uncompromising approach to quality. Even though the events you organise may not be of such a grand scale, the approach you use will dictate how successful your event will be.

• Educate yourself to have an eye for detail
• Don’t compromise; never think near enough is good enough.
• Always offer your client the best possible quality to suit their budget.
• Try not to repeat your approach; even if the event is very successful, patrons will expect the next one to be even better or at least different.
• Always have a professional approach to an event, no matter how large or small.