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Ministry-approved title: Special Events Planning
The Event Planning program is an excellent choice for individuals who are naturally organized, detail-oriented people who enjoy taking charge of projects in fast-paced, dynamic settings. This event planning program is designed for those who thrive in high-energy, creative environments, and is perfect for the person who has always aspired to be an event planner or event coordinator.
In the Event Planning program, students are prepared for a career that offers incredible versatility and that spans almost every industry.
Students in the event planner program learn how to design, plan and execute a diverse range of corporate, community and social events. While developing a keen eye for detail and strong business acumen, students learn to keep sight of the broader creative concept, schedule and budget. Upon graduation with an event planning certificate, a student can expect to enter the field as an event planner event coordinator, with all the skills necessary to plan and execute spectacular, meaningful, and inspiring events.
The event planner program emphasizes experiential learning, allowing students to apply their skills in real-world scenarios at our state-of-the-art W. Galen Weston Centre for Food (Weston Centre) event space. This combination of classroom instruction and practical application ensures that graduates are well-equipped to meet the demands of the ever-evolving event planning industry.
To enter the Event Planning program, you will need:
Durham College (DC) offers pre-admission assessment testing to mature domestic applicants to meet admission requirements in English and/or math. Domestic applicants that are 19 years of age or older as of the start date of their program, and who do not have the required program credit(s) i.e., Grade 12 English and/or Grade 12 math are eligible to take an admissions assessment test.
Learn more about how to book Pre-Admission Assessment Testing here.
DC also offers Academic upgrading courses are FREE and designed to help you meet the admissions requirements for this program. Available to individuals 18+, these courses are offered on-campus at DC. Boost your qualifications with:
Learn more about Academic Upgrading and connect with our team to get started.
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In your first semester of the Event Planning program, students are introduced to the core concepts and industry practices that will guide them through the rest of the event planning courses.
Students learn how to communicate effectively and clearly in business settings, master the use of computer programs for event planning and applications for the hospitality industry, and emerge with a strong customer-focused orientation. In these preliminary event coordinator courses, students are introduced to the events industry and the event planning cycle, and develop leadership and teamwork skills.
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The best way to succeed in event planning is to immerse yourself in it! Co-op is an excellent way to build your professional network, explore career paths and apply in-class teachings to real work situations as an event planner, under the supervision of an experienced professional. Co-op is a model of education that integrates academic learning with workplace learning in fields relevant to our students’ academic and personal goals.
Students in the Event Planning program can apply to the co-op option during their first academic semester. Entrance to the co-op option is limited and the processes for securing a work term are competitive, therefore students are asked to prepare early and diligently.
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The two-year Event Planning program provides the aspiring event coordinator with a comprehensive understanding of the business of events. Students develop and apply essential skills in leadership, financial management, decision-making, critical thinking, and strategic planning.
Throughout our event planner program, students learn about the various industry segments, including corporate, social, not-for-profit, incentive, community & cultural, wedding, festival, music and sport.
During their event planner training, students focus on events designed to support the economic growth, quality of life and richness of rural and urban communities; learn how to plan and execute large and small events; and gain valuable hands-on experience in event management practices through courses and experiential learning in the areas of:
As a critical part of their learning, students participate in several experiential events, including a capstone event. This experiential component provides opportunities for students to apply the skills acquired in their event planning courses. In addition to earning a diploma, students also obtain several valuable certifications they can add to their resumes, which enhances their qualifications as event planners coordinators.
The Event Planning program is offered at the Whitby campus, home of the college's W. Galen Weston Centre for Food (WC). This impressive learning space provides access to state-of-the-art labs, classrooms and event spaces.
Upon completing the Event Planning program and obtaining an event planning certificate, you can expect to understand and be able to do the following:
The courses listed below are for incoming students. If you are a current student, please refer to your program of study for the year you began your program. Your program of study can be found on MyDC.
Courses, course descriptions and delivery formats are subject to change.
In person
Students will come to campus to complete in-person learning requirements. Detailed schedules, with course-specific delivery information, will be available after registration. Courses, course descriptions and delivery formats are subject to change.
Are you ready to embark on a career working with people and organizations across the province, country or world as an event planner or event coordinator? The events industry offers employment opportunities in industries in every part of the world.
Career paths for the skilled event planner might include producing virtual or in-person events such as corporate retreats, non-profit fundraisers, conferences, incentive travel and wedding planning to name just a few. Durham College is THE place to start your journey into exciting and diverse sector of event planning.
To start, you are encouraged to do a little homework on the industry. Check out the video below created by Meetings Mean Business Canada, and the linked article by the Event Industry Council (EIC), which demonstrate the importance and impact of the event industry to Canada’s Gross Domestic Product. It is significant, and that means jobs Meetings Mean Business Canada
You might be wondering about the types of roles and organizations that offer employment opportunities for event planning professionals. When you graduate from the event planning program, you will be equipped to take on a variety of roles in diverse settings. The skills you will gain in the event planning program will allow you to think broadly about their application. While this list is extensive, it is by no means exhaustive.
The event planning industry has informative magazines dedicated to professional development, education and industry news. See the links below:
Durham College faculty and staff are proud to be members of the following professional event planning associations:
Canadian Society of Professional Event Planners
Festivals & Events Ontario
Meetings Mean Business
MPI
PCMA
PCMA Student Chapter
The DC PCMA Student Chapter brings together students from Event Planning, Hospitality and Tourism Marketing programs. Through the chapter, our event planning students gain invaluable experience working as the Executive Board, connecting and collaborating with other students from across the country and the US!
Join us at Durham College, in the School of Hospitality and Horticultural Sciences – your future as an event planner or event coordinator awaits!
For students completing a field placement, their event coordinator courses will be complemented by a 120-hour field placement opportunity in the fourth semester. Students work in professional tourism, hospitality or event planning environments, applying skills from their event planning courses to the workplace.
Beyond the special events you will plan and execute as part of your studies, students in the Event Planning program have countless opportunities to further their learning, via student-focused special events, to employment in the W. Galen Weston Centre for Food’s restaurant and Bistro ’67, and a range of community projects.
If you would like to continue your education after completing your event planner training, you may be eligible to apply your academic credits towards further study through Durham College partnerships with Canadian and international colleges and universities. These include:
Looking for more pathway opportunities or to transfer to Durham College? Click here for more information.
To help students have the best learning experience possible, Durham College’s IT Services department has identified technology recommendations for event planning courses While not required, students may want to consider these suggestions if they are purchasing a computer or laptop for the upcoming academic year.
Processor: i3 RAM: 4GB Storage: 256GB SSD Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Professional or Education x64 SP1 Internet Browser: Internet Explorer 11 or Google Chrome (newest version) or Firefox (newest version) Network Adapter: 802.11ac 2.4/5 GHz wireless adapter Camera: Webcam/built-in camera Internet connection
Questions regarding technology recommendations can be directed to the IT Service Desk or the school office.
The best way to succeed in your field is to immerse yourself in it! Co-op is an excellent way to build your professional network, explore career paths and apply in-class teachings to real work situations. Co-op is a model of education that integrates academic learning with workplace learning in fields relevant to our students’ academic and personal goals.
Students in the Event Planning Diploma program will be invited to apply to the co-op option during their first academic semester. Entrance to the co-op option is limited and the processes for securing a work term are competitive. Students enrolled in the co-op option are required to complete a four-month, paid work term between the second and third semesters of their program.
Supports are available through the Experiential Learning office to assist students with securing their work terms. In addition, the Experiential Learning office is in contact with co-op students and their employers during the work terms to help with any questions. Upon completing the work term, co-op students return to campus to complete their final two academic semesters of the program before graduating.
September intake:
Courses and course descriptions are subject to change.
Once transferred to the co-op option of this program, students will have a co-op administrative fee of $475 assessed to their accounts during the academic semester(s) prior to scheduled work term(s). The administrative fee goes to support the broad array of support services provided to co-op students. These services are dedicated to support student success.
Find more information about the benefits of becoming a co-op student.
Find more information about the benefits of becoming a co-op employer.
E: co-op@durhamcollege.ca
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