SDSU Meeting and Event Planning Certificate Courses Scheduled for May

San Diego is ranked among the top five cities for meetings and events in the United States by numerous organizations.

San Diego State University’s College of Extended Studies offers newcomers and seasoned pros an opportunity to expand their knowledge and skills in this flourishing industry, with a Professional Certificate in Meeting and Event Planning.

“The highlight of the classes and program has been the instructors,” said former student Molly Fry. “They are very talented and experienced meeting planning professionals who share their insights. They have all opened my eyes to the various avenues you can go in event planning.”

The demand for event planners is high in San Diego, considering its year-round schedule of conventions, trade shows, and conferences; along with events being staged by local businesses, restaurants, and hotels. According to the San Diego Tourism Authority, more than 527,000 people attended conventions and trade shows at the San Diego Convention Center in 2014, bringing in approximately $593 million in direct spending by convention delegates.

Students training for the meeting and event planning industry through SDSU are taught by instructors who participate in the field during the day and are able to share real-life experiences in the classroom.

“I think that the instructors are high quality because they have so much experience,” said former student Natalie Lewis. “The most valuable takeaway has been their real-life examples, where they found themselves in a certain situation or where they had to make a last-minute decision.”

SDSU is offering two courses in its Meeting and Event planning program during May:

Professional Development, Tuesday and Thursday, May 5 and 7, 6-9 pm
Effective Networking and Resumes for the Meeting and Events Industry, Saturday, May 9, 9 am-4 pm

For more information, email cesmep@sdsu.edu, call (619) 594-1138, or visit neverstoplearning.net/meeting.

SDSU’s College of Extended Studies reaches out to San Diego, the nation, and the world with a wide variety of lifelong learning opportunities, and more than 50 certificate programs for career advancement. Topics range from contract management, construction, and craft beer, to grant writing, marketing, and human resources. And many programs are available online. The CES also offers one of the largest ESL programs in the U.S. through the American Language Institute; and university-quality courses to students age 50 and better through the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. Other opportunities include seminars, study abroad, corporate education and access to regular SDSU classes through Open University. For more information or to register, visit neverstoplearning.net or call (619) 265-7378 (SDSU).