Event Management

The field of event planning and management encompasses a wide array of business, social, cultural, educational, sport, music, and political activities. From private parties and promotional events to massive conventions and city-wide celebrations, these are just a few of the roles available in the field of event management:

Association Meeting/Convention Planner
Trade Show Director
Conference Coordinator
Special Event Coordinator for a venue
Festival Director
Wedding or Party Planner
Public Relations Director
Fundraising Director for non-profit organization
Corporate Training Director
Convention Bureau Marketing & Sales Manager
Event Entrepreneur - creates and promotes their own event

Event-related job opportunities are expected to grow faster than average, due to the continued growth of the global marketplace and a significant increase in the use of event marketing as a promotional strategy.

Events On Campus

Event Management students get involved with a wide variety of Vermont events, from conferences and trade shows to concerts, sporting events and food festivals. And there are dozens of student-run events right on campus that need planning and execution--many of which are created by students themselves!

Check out this time-lapse video of an event being set up on campus, in the IDX Student Life Center. This is just one example of when Champlain College students have participated in the planning and execution of an on-campus event.

Program Highlights
Champlain's Event Management program emphasizes logistical planning, management skills and hands-on experience. You'll get a solid grounding in business management as you divide your time between the classroom and the work site, guided by experienced professors who bring years of industry experience into the classroom and other learning activities.
- Accumulate more than 500 hours of hands-on experience in a variety of venues, both on and off campus.
- Complete a second year Event Management Internship Series and a Senior Event Management Apprenticeship, tailored to your personal interests and career goals. For more details, follow this link to our EVENT PLANNING INTERNSHIPS page.
- Join other Champlain students for a European study tour or spend a semester abroad.
- Master important business skills you'll need on the job, such as marketing, accounting, and strategic decision making.
- Gain skills in applying current event management software and online resources to enhance the quality, creativity and effectiveness of your events. Click here for a list of TECHNOLOGY that is incorporated directly into our coursework.
- Work with a personal advisor in our Career Services office to help identify exciting job opportunities and make a memorable impression on prospective employers.
Learn more about the features of our Event Management major by viewing our PHOTO GALLERY
Curriculum
First Year

First Semester:
Second Semester:
Second Year

First Semester:
Second Semester:
Third Year

First Semester:
- COR 310 - Globalization & Technology
- COR 320 - Globalization & Faith
- MKT 3XX - Publicity, Promotion & Sponsorship
- LAW 140 - Business Law
- EVT 340 - The Business of Event Management
Second Semester:
- COR 330 - CORE 9
- COR 340 - CORE 10
- ECN 205 - Microeconomics
- Natural Science elective with Lab
- HSP 360 - International Hospitality & Events
Fourth Year

First Semester:
- COR 410 - CORE 11
- MGT 425 - Problem Analysis & Decision Making
- Event Specialty Elective
- General elective
- EVT 450 - Event Management Seminar
Second Semester:
- General elective
- General elective
- EVT 490 - Senior Event Management Apprenticeship
BS Degree in Event Management
Career Opportunities
Event planning and management encompasses a wide array of business, social, cultural, educational, sport, music, and political activities. From private parties and promotional events to massive conventions and city-wide celebrations, these are just a few of the roles available in the field of event management:
- Association Meeting/Convention Planner
- Trade Show Director
- Conference Coordinator
- Special Event Coordinator for a venue
- Festival Director
- Wedding or Party Planner
- Public Relations Director
- Fundraising Director for non-profit organization
- Corporate Training Director
- Convention Bureau Marketing & Sales Manager
Jobs Reported By Recent Graduates
- General Manager, Troy Pub & Brewery & Revolution Hall music venue (Troy, NY)
- Assistant Event Coordinator, Delaney Meeting & Event Management (Burlington, VT)
- Assistant Event Coordinator, The Waterview (Monroe, CT)
- Arts & Entertainment Assistant, Burton Snowboards (Burlington, VT)
- Event Coordinator, Champlain College Conference & Event Center
- Event Coordinator, Washington-Dulles Airport Marriott (Washington, DC)
- Catering Sales Manager, Hilton Hotel Burlington (VT)
Earnings Potential

According to The Meeting Professional's 2002 Salary Survey, average earning in the field of event management were:
- Corporate Meeting Planner: $39,500 - $76,500
- Meetings/Conference Manager: $54,598 - $65,951
- Event Coordinator: $41,500 - $47,113
- Independent Event Planner (consultant): $55,000 - $64,231 (source: Money Magazine and Salary.com)
Note that for each of the positions listed above, the top salaries were significantly higher than these averages!
Student Resources
Follow this link to our Hospitality & Events Industry Resources page
Faculty
- Charles Amey
- Peter Straube