Every day there are special events taking place all over the world - festivals, galas, awards shows, conferences, exhibitions, meetings, incentive programs, marketing events, sporting events, and many more. All these events require someone or a team of people to put them together. Event managers and coordinators spend countless hours preparing and coordinating every detail of their event so the audience can enjoy a seamless and spectacular event. After all the hard work, the reward comes from watching guests having the best night of their lives, or having your client achieve sales goals, or raising a record amount of funds for a charity – all because of the event that you put together.

The Event Management Diploma Program is a one-year, four-quarter intensive program that prepares students to enter the professional and corporate world of special events. Reaching a number of industry sectors including the tourism, entertainment, and meetings industries, graduates have a wide range of opportunities and career paths presented to them. With industry professionals as instructors, students receive the most relevant and industry specific education available. Working hard to promote professionalism, ethics, and growth in the special events industry, as well as to develop opportunities for students, The Art Institute of Vancouver is a proud member of the International Special Events Society (ISES), Canadian Special Events Society (CSES), and Meeting Professionals International (MPI).

While students enrolled in the program are being prepared for entry-level coordinator positions within the industry, they are being taught to a higher standard, which equips them for career advancements in the future. The Event Management Diploma Program has worked with the Canadian Tourism Human Resource Council to provide curriculum that teaches to Event Management International Occupational Standards. These standards have been developed in a collaborative effort from a large group of authors and event management professionals from around the world, and have been endorsed by our local employer based Professional Advisory Committee (PAC).

Certifications:
Graduates will receive the following certifications;

           

• Event Management Diploma
• Food Safe Certification
• Serving It Right (Optional)
• WorldHost® Fundamentals
• WorldHost® Customers with Disabilities       
• WorldHost® Services Across Cultures   

         Professional Designation (EVC)

The Event Management Diploma Program provides students the opportunity to acquire the knowledge to possibly earn their emerit Tourism Certified Professional (TCP) designation for the occupation of Event Coordinator. emerit Professional Certification is the highest credential for tourism industry professionals in Canada. emerit certified Event Coordinators are recognized nationally for having the industry’s very best skills, knowledge, and experience.

The Event Management Diploma Program prepares students for writing the Event Coordinator knowledge exam (fees apply) as part of the credentialing requirements. After accumulating 1500 hours of relevant work experience within a 3-year period, as well as successfully passing a practical performance evaluation, graduates will have fully achieved the designation. As students are highly encouraged to volunteer with industry employers during the program, those who complete 120+ hours of relevant and documented volunteer work will be able to have these hours contribute toward a graduation with distinction as well as achieving their industry designation.

WorldHost® Training Services
WorldHost® Training Services training is a series of dynamic and interactive customer service-based training workshops to support people working in service industries. Content ranges from enhancing core communication skills to dealing with irate customers, understanding and exceeding expectations across cultures, providing excellent service for customers with disabilities, being an effective problem solver, and much more.

WorldHost® Training Services is highly regarded and recognized by the tourism, hospitality, and service industries in British Columbia. With over 20 years of successful customer service practices, WorldHost® Training Services offers relevant content, knowledgeable instructors, consistent delivery, and local access. A WorldHost® Training Services certificate is regarded as a commitment to great customer care.

Memberships
All students enrolled in the Event Management Diploma program will receive a one-year* student membership to the International Special Events Society. *(Membership expires in June of each year. Renewal and cost for renewal is at the discretion of each student.)

Professional Advisory Committee
Professional Advisory Committees (PAC) act as an integral component in ensuring that employers active in related fields assist in structuring and improving programs offered at The Art Institute of Vancouver. PAC members not only provide input on most current industry needs and developments, but also help endorse and validate the values and direction of curriculum programs.

The following is a list of industry professionals who have participated in one or more of our Professional Advisory Committee industry panel meetings.