Event Management Program Adapts to a Changing Industry
Posted on Thursday, November 26th, 2020
For over 25 years, the Algonquin College one-year Event Management graduate certificate program has been providing business/project management skills to prepare graduates for many exciting roles in all sectors of industry. With the switch to virtual classes in response to Covid 19, the program has adapted and evolved to effectively deliver the same core skills via engaging, live classes.
Events continue despite the pandemic which has created new, creative and unique opportunities.
That was the consensus from industry experts who attended an Algonquin College virtual gathering Monday, November 25 to discuss the future of the events industry.
Hosted by Brian Henry, an Algonquin alumnus and co-owner of Quality Entertainment, the event included a discussion of how the events industry has changed since the pandemic. There was also consideration of how the College’s Event Management program has shifted to executing virtual events to support local charities while teaching students to plan and execute face-to-face, virtual, and hybrid events.
“Algonquin College has had to pivot and adjust,” said Henry. “When the pandemic was declared in March. Our faculty, including the creative team have done an incredible job to create a course that is relevant to our learners. Our students continue to gain valuable experience.”
Skilled event managers are still in high demand. Graduates have diverse career opportunities in government agencies, associations, corporations, wedding planners, charities, festivals, entertainment companies, event suppliers, municipalities, tourism associations, museums, sports groups, the fashion industry, hotels, educational institutions, and hospitals to name a few.
Stephanie Lockhart agrees. The Executive Director of the Canadian Superior Court Judges Association and Independent Meeting/Event Manager says the pandemic has presented a creative opportunity. “This pivot has provided an opportunity to get really creative,” she said. “The skill set required is very much the same, but it’s layered with a whole other layer of learning about engagement and creativity, technology, and online platforms.”
Lockhart believes online events are here to stay. “We are seeing high participation numbers from people that wouldn’t have been able to travel in person. We will see the shift continue with in-person, online and a hybrid sector. It will be more efficient and easier to participate.”
Perhaps surprisingly, the pandemic has opened up opportunities for students. Algonquin’s Events Management program offers placement opportunities to bring students into the event industry and students have had no problems pivoting as well. Says Lockhart: “the skills are completely transferable. The application of our current experiences and skills will help them in the future.”
Graduates working in industry have also pivoted and evolved successfully, utilizing their creative thinking skills to plan and host virtual events across the globe. Now more than ever, people all over the world are craving human connection. By creating and executing large-scale virtual events, skilled event planners will play a key role in satisfying this need, reaching dramatically larger audiences.
Algonquin credits its strong relationships with the events industry as partly responsible for the College’s successful pivot.
“We have been working with industry leaders to ensure we can adapt to this fluid situation and are proud to see the resilience from our students,” said Michael Tarnowski, Chair, School of Hospitality and Tourism. “Our faculty allow us to ensure we are delivering relevant material. They quickly adapted to the current environment and having to deliver events in a remote fashion. It’s an amazing thing.”
Tarnowski believes the future of the industry is bright. “I’m proud to say that our faculty are leading the charge in that innovation and providing students with relevant information so our students will have exciting careers ahead of them.”
In addition to the discussion, four local charities shared in $36,000 raised by students. They included Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Support Programs, Dave Smith Youth Treatment Centre, Ottawa Food Bank, and Ottawa Riverkeeper.
“These funds have allowed us to keep working this time,” said Ottawa Riverkeeper Elizabeth Logue.
“This partnership is very valuable to us,” said Jocelyn Lamont from Candelighters. “You make a difference in the lives of families coping with cancer.”
Hear from Event Management students and graduates who have pivoted successfully to thrive in a virtual events industry. Watch the video.
To learn more about the Algonquin College Event Management program visit their website.
https://www.algonquincollege.com/hospitalityandtourism/program/event-management/
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