COVID-19 Update for Sept. 15: On-campus learning cancelled September 16 –19; online classes to continue as scheduled

Continuing Education

Event Management

Campus

The location where your NAIT courses will be held.

Credential

The type of certification you will earn after completing your program.

  • Certificate Achievement - An approved non-credit program that has a formal summative assessment component, has mappped program or course outcomes, and is subject to a regular quality curriculum review process.
  • Certificate Completion - A non-credit program that has no formal summative assessment component and is subject to a regular quality curriculum review process.
  • Continuing Education/Non-Credit - NAIT offers a wide range of non-credit programs and courses for personal and professional development in a number of interesting and exciting fields. These options are great for people who may be working but are interested in studying as well.

Delivery Options

The flexible schedule options for this course including time of day and full/part-time.

  • On-Campus Day - Your course activity is done in-person Monday - Friday, before 5 PM.
  • On-Campus Evening/Weekend - Your course activity is done in-person on weekdays from 5 PM or later, or Saturdays and Sundays.
  • Online Day - Your course activity is done online Monday - Friday, before 5 PM.
  • Online Evening/Weekend - Your course activity is done online on weekdays from 5 PM or later, or Saturdays and Sundays.
  • Online Flexible Delivery - Your course activity is not scheduled and therefore you can determine when to do the coursework.
  • Both On-Campus and Virtual - Some of your coursework will be in-person, on campus and some will be done online.

All great events, grand concerts, and once-in-a-lifetime shows have one thing in common: their vision is brought to life for others to experience by talented organizers and Event Managers.

NAIT's Event Management Program will prepare you to apply a multitude of project management skills within a variety of dynamic environments such as trade shows, conferences, meetings, milestone events, award ceremonies, new product launches, social and corporate events and non-profit events.

In this program, you will learn how to maintain healthy relationships with industry partners; respond to shifting demographics; and attract, motivate and retain staff and volunteers. You will also develop versatile event management skills and discover how to apply them to lead, strategize, collaborate and facilitate stakeholder-defined outcome targets.

About the events industry

Event planners are always in demand in the private, public and non-profit sectors. Employers commonly hire event managers to organize trade shows, conferences, meetings, milestone events, awards ceremonies and other types of events. Edmonton is a great place to be an Event Manager because of the many events that are held in the city each year. Watch the Edmonton Tourism Video

Meeting + Incentive Travel Magazine published a 2016 salary survey that gives a thorough overview of the industry.  For more resources and insight about the business events community in Canada, visit meetingscanada.com

Gaining depth and diversity

Industry experts tell us that they want our graduates to have a broad base and depth of knowledge relative to the event industry.  To meet these industry demands, we offer a wide variety of courses that will help increase your suitability for industry employment. Whether you aspire to a career in professional event management or are already working in a position with event planning responsibilities, we can help you become a skilled and highly sought-after professional.

Industry experts helped us determine the outcomes of the Event Management program to ensure that you will be able to do the following:  

  • Generate and integrate creative ideas that translate into experiences that fulfill stakeholder requests.
  • Implement event management tools and industry processes required to execute and evaluate an event as defined by stakeholders.
  • Create and implement an adaptable, integrated, marketing communication strategy specific to an event.
  • Build, manage and maintain relationships that reflect professional and ethical leadership.

Completion requirements

You will earn an Event Management Certificate with any combination of courses that total 175 hours. Please note that the Capstone hours do not count towards the certificate requirement.

Event Management Foundations (EVMT700) in addition to one of the three capstone courses (EVMT800, EVMT801, or EVMT802) are compulsory courses required to obtain the certificate. You design your own certificates with courses that suit your needs, interests and previous experiences.

You may also choose a stream of courses to create a specialization. These are a group of compulsory courses and a capstone project that is focused on a particular aspect of the events industry. Currently we are offering two specializations with the Event Management Certificate: Program Planning and Operations. You may include the core courses for either specialization within your 175 course hours. In order to receive a specialization, you must complete the certificate requirements.

You may obtain multiple specializations once your initial 175 hours have been completed.  

Testimonials

Jocelyne Lambert

Jocelyne Lambert

I have been involved in event planning throughout most of my life starting at a very young age assisting my mother as she coordinated events at her workplace, but never having formal education in this field.  NAIT’s Event Management certificate is well-respected and high calibre, recognized globally for producing graduates with the skills and confidence that many industries are looking for. It is available locally and provided an amazing opportunity for me to learn while still working. When I initially enrolled in the program, I was unemployed, and looking to get back into the event industry full time.  As I was taking courses, I secured an unbelievable position, whereby event planning is a large component and I know for certain that being enrolled at NAIT at interview time was weighted heavily in my favour in the selection process.  

The instructors that I had the honour of meeting and learning from brought a broad spectrum of knowledge, experience and passion for live event planning. The classroom settings and campus environment made learning easier and fun.  Obtaining the Event Management Certificate has provided me with essential knowledge while sharpening my current skills which can be applied to so many events from a birthday parties, corporate events, to world class events. I would highly recommend anyone who is looking at delving into the world of live event planning or is simply wanting to update their current skills to seriously look at NAIT’s Event Management Certificate Program. 

Madeline Verhappen

Madeline Verhappen

For two years I had the opportunity to lead a fundraising event as a volunteer. I enrolled in the Event Management Certificate program through NAIT to formalize my experience. Not only did the program expand my knowledge of the industry, but it also provided me with the opportunity to network locally with new and established event professionals. Everyone was encouraged to participate by sharing our thoughts, experiences, stories. The final project then connected our lessons with real-world experiences.

The program was certainly worth the effort for the lessons learned and recognition from a quality training institution such as NAIT.

Event professional designations

A number of external organizations provide accreditation in the event industry. Typically, these designations require industry experience prior to writing the required exams, but our program covers the industry standards you will need to know for accreditation.

The following are two designations you can pursue throughout your career. These organizations also offer student membership rates, so you can begin networking immediately:

The EIC has recently certified several of NAIT's courses to be eligible for continuing education credits toward the CMP designation.

Instructors

Alexandra Armstrong

Alexandra Armstrong

Alex Armstrong is the owner and creative director of Three Tall Women Design, a production design firm specializing in corporate events.

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Caitlin McElhone

Caitlin McElhone

Owner and lead planner of CM Events, Caitlin McElhone, is passionate about lifestyle, urban living and executing exciting events for her clients.

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Kristine Monteiro

Kristine Monteiro

Kristine Monteiro works as an Event Consultant at MacEwan University’s Conference and Event Services department.

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Manfred Kalk

Manfred Kalk

With 20+ years in the hospitality and events field, Manfred has worked on every size, style and genre of event you can imagine.

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If you have 5 or more years of full-time industry experience, you may be eligible for Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) credit for the Event Management Foundations course (EVMT700). 

To learn more and to begin the process, read through the following:

  1. Fact Sheet - Event Management (pdf)
  2. Candidate Guide - Event Management (pdf)
  3. PLAR Request Form

Courses

Freya Fu

As the Program and Event Coordinator with the annual McCauley Neighbourhood Food Crawl, Freya uses her savvy instincts to make this community celebration memorable.

Flexible Payment Options

Students enrolled in non-credit programs have several funding options available to help cover the cost of tuition.

Award-winning program

NAIT Continuing Education is thrilled and honoured to have received the Meeting Professionals International (MPI) Influence Award for significant contributions made to the local meetings and events industry. 

Learn more about MPI

Continuing Education FAQ

Get help quickly and easily. Check out our frequently asked questions to learn more about registering for a course, paying your fees and what you'll need to be successful in your program.

Group Training Options

NAIT specializes in group training for both public and private organizations. Learn about our group and corporate training options.

Learn more

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