Meeting & Event Planning - Best Practices for Planning Food Functions, Special Events, Event Production/Logistics January 19, 2013

The course will include three modules as described below.

Food and Beverage Planning
No more guessing! Attend this fast paced session to learn the strategic thought process that goes into planning food and beverage functions that meet the needs of your group. This session provides strategies for all aspects to consider when planning food and beverage functions including techniques to control costs and different purchasing methods. Learn how to improve your guarantees and what to look for in food contracts and more. Learn questions to ask in-house food service providers, as well as off-site caterers. Relevant in-class exercises.

Unfolding the Magic of Special Events
Learn the art of producing memorable events, including similarities and differences between social, corporate, association, special (ie. concerts, fairs) events and weddings, etc. Work step-by-step from brainstorming through implementation to build on a theme, select and contract with suppliers, develop menus and promote your event. Determine what you need to do to limit your liability. Receive tips on how to create excitement while staying within your budget. You will walk away from this session ready to infuse pizzazz into your next event! Relevant in-class exercises.

Event Production
Before you can lay out your event or meeting using feng shui (the ancient Chinese method of using space), you need the time-honored formulas and techniques employed by the not-so-ancient experts in the field of event planning. This unique hands-on course focuses on banquets, meetings and event setup, with an emphasis on pre-event planning and on-site execution. Learn how to calculate room size requirements and how to create a positive, non-threatening environment. Develop an understanding of appropriate seating styles, table placement, and staging and fire-code regulations. Evaluate basic audiovisual equipment, determine what to use, where, when and why. You will come away from this seminar with a working knowledge of event production methods, timelines and basic room sets. Relevant in-class exercises.

Official Website: http://www.ceu.csupomona.edu/courses/dynamic_content/courses/default.aspx?courseid=3316