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Get started in the exciting planning industry.

Start your career as a corporate event planner with the noncredit Corporate Event Planning (CEP) Course, S-M-A-R-T!

Do your job responsibilities include event planning? If so, then this course currently offered in a self-paced online format, is for you. Corporate events span all industries and are planned for a variety of occasions, milestones, and celebrations. Corporate event planners are often responsible for the successful implementation, execution, and management of these events and more.

Learn more by visiting an upcoming Hospitality Open House!

• Wednesday, April 19 from noon-1 p.m.
• Wednesday, April 26 from noon-1 p.m.
• Wednesday, May 17 from 6:30-7:30 p.m.

The S-M-A-R-T course covers:

• Special Events: galas, fundraisers, public relations, product promotions
• Meetings: professional, corporate, business networking
• Assemblies: conferences, conventions
• Recognition: incentives, awards, achievements
• Training: seminars, workshops, education

This course provides detailed guidelines of how to:

• Brand;
• Design specifications (including floor plans, timelines, and seating charts);
• Execute (program content, catering, budget, media, crowd control, safety checklist, and evaluations)

a variety of events. In addition, you will walk away knowing how to execute events successfully and charge for services. 

Students will complete 21 task assignments. eTextbook assignments, quizzes, and a final exam will be completed. Assignments - lesson-specific activities and tasks - are dispersed within each chapter of the text as well as in the assessment section at the end of the online textbook. While not required, a hard copy of the textbook is available for an additional cost of $99, and will be mailed directly to the address you provide at the time of ordering.

Attendance, assignments- tasks, quizzes, and the final exam- are assessed to determine successful certificate completion.

Check for dates

VCU Continuing and Professional Education is a university partner with Lovegevity's Wedding Planning Institute (LWPI), which was founded with the purpose of providing aspiring wedding and event planners with the best possible education.

Some VCU Continuing and Professional Education offerings are ineligible for waiver use due to partnership agreements. The following text will appear on the registration page: “*exempt—this offering is ineligible for waiver use.”