Schoolcraft College’s Continuing Education and Professional Development department is launching a brand new Event Planning Certificate program this fall. The program is a 54-hour course of study designed to teach students the fundamentals of being an event planner. This program is designed to meet the needs of a variety of individuals including those interested in wedding planning, corporate events, non-profit event planning, trade show organizing and more. The first six-week session, Introduction to Event Planning, begins Tuesday, September 27, 2011.
     In addition to Introduction to Event Planning, which will explore working with vendors, budgets, scheduling and the importance of planning and promotion, the remaining classes required for certification include: Wedding Planning, which provides an overview of the wedding industry, how to plan and organize the event, and focuses on the importance of budgeting, venue and vendor selection; Special Event Design & Décor, to teach students how to creatively develop décor, design, and themes for the many different types of special events; and finally the students will put their knowledge to work by participating in the planning and implementation of an actual special event in the Event Planning Practical Experience class.
     According to Economic Modeling Specialists (EMSI), the regional occupational growth for event planners is nine percent by 2017, with an average hourly wage of $17.58.  Career settings can include office administrative services, support services, state and local government, hotels, religious organizations, and convention and trade show organizations.
     “We have offered event planning classes in previous semesters and they have been very popular,” said Jennifer Bodurka, Programming Coordinator. “We are pleased we are able to now provide a certificate program in this specialty area. There are many opportunities for event-related jobs and freelance positions in the event and meeting industry, and we are excited to educate those interested in becoming a part of this growing, multi-billion dollar industry.”
     The Event Planning Certificate program has been created in partnership with renowned event planning company, Christopher & Company in Walled Lake, Michigan. Owners Christopher Gregorich and Joseph Martinez will provide instruction for the program.  For more information on this non-credit certificate program, go to www.schoolcraft.edu/cepd/eventplanning or call the Continuing Education and Professional Development office at 734-462-4448.
     Schoolcraft College is a public two-year college, offering classes at the Livonia campus, Haggerty Road between Six and Seven Mile Roads; at the Radcliff Center in Garden City; and online at www.schoolcraft.edu.

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