Event Management

Through excellence in teaching, scholarship, experiential learning, and community engagement, the Event Management program takes a holistic approach to educating and preparing future event professionals dedicated to producing dynamic and diverse events.

Students and their parents have become aware the event industry offers an excellent opportunity for future employment from recent news reports, evidenced by the explosive growth of professional festival and event associations such as IFEA, MPI, PCMA, HSMAI, and ILEA. At HPU, our goal is to prepare students to be knowledgeable and visionary leaders in whichever field of event management they select to become involved.

Teamwork

In the people-driven, relationship-based event industry, collaboration is key. At HPU, we foster a supportive environment where students frequently work in diverse teams, preparing them for the dynamic and interconnected world of events.

Creativity

Our clients look to us for cutting-edge ideas that push boundaries and create unforgettable experiences. We equip our students with a solid foundation in essential event design elements while encouraging them to think outside the box, brainstorm innovative concepts, and unleash their creative potential.

Resiliency

In the fast-paced and ever-changing world of events, the ability to bounce back from challenges is crucial. We instill in our students the importance of maintaining a cool, calm, and collected demeanor, even in the face of adversity. With a resilient mindset, our graduates are ready to tackle any obstacle that comes their way.

Adaptability

Flexibility is a must-have skill for event professionals. We teach our students to ‘go with the flow,’ think on their feet, and adapt quickly to changing circumstances. By cultivating adaptability, our graduates are prepared to thrive in the dynamic and unpredictable world of events.

At HPU, our Event Management program emphasizes communication, balance, composure, impact, and value in the services industry. By promoting and emulating these essential skills and values, we ensure that our students are wellequipped to succeed in their chosen careers and make a lasting impact in the event industry.

Are you looking for hands-on experience in the dynamic world of event planning? Our students have taken the initiative to create a student government-funded club called Planning on Point (PoP), which provides exclusive opportunities to engage with the industry and develop valuable skills.

As a member of PoP, you’ll have the chance to:

1. Volunteer at local events, working alongside experienced professionals and gaining practical experience in event setup, execution, and teardown.
2. Welcome renowned event professionals and speakers to campus, learning from their expertise and gaining insights into the industry through workshops and discussions.
3. Tour iconic event venues, getting a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to bring an event to life in various settings, from grand ballrooms to picturesque outdoor spaces.
4. Attend prestigious industry conferences and events, such as:
   • North Carolina Association of Festivals & Events (NCAF&E) showcase in Charlotte, NC
   • Worldwide Exhibition for Incentive Travel, Meetings, and Events (IMEX) America in Las Vegas, NV
   • International Festivals & Events Association (IFEA) Convention and Expo
   • Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) annual and regional events
   • And many more!
5. These experiences provide unparalleled networking opportunities, allowing you to connect with industry professionals worldwide. You’ll also gain exposure to the latest trends, best practices, and innovations in the event planning field, keeping you at the forefront of the industry.
6. Pursue specialized training, such as bridal certificate programs, to develop niche expertise and stand out in the competitive wedding industry.

The Best

HPU’s Event Management program has consistently been recognized as the best in the industry. We’ve proudly received the Pinnacle Award for the Best Event Management bachelor’s degree from the International Festivals & Events Association since 2016 (2016-2023).

Student Success on a Global Stage

Our students shine in prestigious competitions, internationally showcasing their skills and knowledge. In the recent Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) Global Student Competition, two HPU teams made it to the Top five finalists, with one team emerging as the overall winner! HPU was the only school with two teams represented among the finalists, beating out teams from renowned universities across North America, South America, and Australia.

Join the Best, Become the Best

By choosing HPU’s Event Management program, you’ll join a community of driven, talented individuals passionate about creating unforgettable experiences. Our award-winning faculty, industry connections, and hands-on learning opportunities will help you develop the expertise and confidence to succeed in this exciting and dynamic field.

At HPU, we believe engaging in research is crucial to a well-rounded event management education. While our primary focus is on providing exceptional teaching and hands-on learning experiences, our dedicated faculty members have gone above and beyond to mentor undergraduate students in their research endeavors.

Since 2022, our event management faculty has worked closely with students to develop research projects that align with their personal interests and passions. This collaborative approach allows students to delve deeper into topics that fascinate them while gaining invaluable experience in conducting academic research.

Showcasing Student Research

We are proud to share that our event management undergraduate students have been provided financial assistance through HPU Undergraduate Research and Creative Works program (URCW) to present their research at regional, national, and international conferences. These experiences allow our students to showcase their hard work and insights and network with industry professionals and academics from around the world.

Developing Critical Thinking Skills for Industry Success

Engaging in research is an excellent way for students to expand their knowledge and develop critical thinking skills that are highly valued in the event industry. Our students position themselves as innovative problem-solvers and strategic thinkers by learning to ask thought-provoking questions, analyze data, and draw meaningful conclusions.

Preparing for Graduate Studies and Beyond

Participating in undergraduate research provides a solid foundation and a competitive edge for students considering pursuing a research-focused graduate program. By gaining experience in research methodologies, data analysis, and scholarly writing, our students are well-prepared to excel in advanced academic settings.

By choosing HPU’s Event Management program, you’ll have the chance to work alongside dedicated faculty members committed to supporting your research interests and helping you develop the skills needed to succeed in the dynamic world of events. Join us and discover the power of undergraduate research in shaping your future as an event management professional!

This course equips students with the mindset and tools to turn unpredictability into opportunity. Focusing on risk and uncertainty, the course develops skills in opportunity spotting, goal-setting, and self-directed project design. Students will strengthen their entrepreneurial motivation and resilience, preparing them to take initiative and adapt in dynamic environments across sales, entrepreneurship, hospitality, and event management.

This course explores the principles and practices of creative intelligence, emphasizing design thinking, systems thinking, and lateral problem-solving as approaches for real-world innovation. Students will learn to empathize with users, define problems, and creatively generate solutions through collaborative workshops, case studies, and applied exercises. Emphasis is placed on fostering the ability to solve complex problems, adapt ideas based on user feedback, and communicate solutions effectively through storytelling and pitching. By engaging with both critical and creative thinking methods, students will build the mindsets and skills necessary to design innovations that meet real-world needs across industries.

This course introduces principles of management and entrepreneurial leadership within the context of key organizational behavior frameworks. Students will explore interpersonal and organizational communication while developing competencies in collaboration, influence, and emotionally intelligent leadership. Major topics include team dynamics, conflict resolution, decision making, motivation, ethics, diversity, organizational culture, and leadership in uncertain environments. Emphasis is placed on leading change, fostering a culture of feedback, persuasive communication and storytelling, and integrating theory with practice to analyze organizational challenges. By the end of the course, students will be equipped to apply entrepreneurial leadership strategies to real-world organizational contexts.

This course will offer an introduction to the principles of event management. A conceptual framework will be developed through definitions, models, and the utilization of case studies. The student will learn how to formulate event management strategies across diverse contexts. The planning, development, management, and implementation of events will be the focus of study. Special topics will include event studies, bid preparation, logistics, public and corporate sponsorship, marketing, negotiations, and staff/volunteer management. Opportunities for participation in on- and off-campus events will be an element of the course. Freshman, Sophomore, or Junior Status or Permission of the Instructor.

This course presents a sequential model of the event planning process, emphasizing the crucial role of evaluation in informed decision-making by event managers. The course covers three primary topic areas: 1) understanding and implementation of event planning models, 2) types of evaluation, and 3) evaluation methods. Topics include the principles and philosophy of project management, planning cycles, processes and models, service mapping, evaluation tools and techniques, and data analysis. Special attention is given to how evaluation influences strategic decisions to meet event goals and objectives. Required fieldwork at an event will provide additional experiential elements for this course.

This course equips students in the service industries with essential professional skills. Students will refine their written and oral communication, improve interpersonal and group interactions, and explore the significance of building and nurturing a strong professional network to advance their careers. Through practical exercises, students will engage with Microsoft Office tools and other digital applications while learning effective networking strategies. By the end of the course, students will be prepared to present themselves confidently and build meaningful professional relationships. Formally EMG-2200. Pre-requisite: EMG-1200 or HSP-1300.

This course provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the event operations process, from initial concept development to executing a complete operational plan. Students will explore the intricacies of managing events’ logistical, operational, and strategic aspects, gaining the skills needed to ensure seamless coordination and execution. Emphasizing the importance of organization, communication, teamwork, and problem-solving, the course prepares students to navigate the complexities of event operations and successfully bring an event from concept to reality. Prerequisite: EMG-1200 and EMG-1400.

Emphasis is placed on financial decision-making and control throughout the event lifecycle. Through hands-on experience with Excel, students will learn to create and manage comprehensive event budgets, equipping them with the tools necessary to effectively oversee the financial aspects of events in a professional setting. Prerequisite: EMG-1200 or HSP-1300.

This course focuses on mastering relationship-based sales in the service industry, with a specific focus on hospitality outlets. Students will develop skills to build strong client connections, enhance customer experiences, and drive revenue. Special emphasis is placed on sales planning, preparation, presentations and client contact within hospitality and service outlets organizations. Topics included are uncovering and understanding customer wants, needs, and expectations, best practices for customer service before, during, and after the sale, and managing expectations, resolving issues, and ensuring satisfaction to foster long-term loyalty. Negotiation techniques are explored, and students will learn to persuade effectively, overcome objections, and close deals confidently while maintaining strong client relationships. Woven throughout is a focus on ethical selling practices including transparency, honesty, and respect for privacy. Through case studies, role-playing, and simulations, students will develop the skills needed to excel in relationship-based sales roles, build lasting client relationships, and deliver outstanding value in various service contexts while maximizing revenue. Prerequisite: HSP-1300 OR EMG-1200.

This course provides a comprehensive exploration of the dynamic fields of experiential services marketing and event sponsorship. The course covers key concepts, including the principles of experiential marketing, the Seven Ps of services marketing, digital and social media strategies, and the development of customer-centered event marketing plans. Additionally, students will explore the fundamentals of event sponsorship, including creating compelling sponsorship proposals and activations, managing sponsor relationships, and measuring sponsorship ROI. Through case studies and practical projects, students will apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios, preparing them for careers in event management.

This class focuses on staff, volunteer, and contractor management as well as board governance, all in relationship to events. Topics will include management theories and practices, policy making, human resource issues, motivation, ethics, collaboration, problem solving, hiring orientation/training/evaluation, and leadership in special situations.

This course explores principles of risk management, ethical leadership analysis, and basic legal principles governing the event industry and management of special events, festivals, meetings, conventions, and exhibitions. This course covers the functions of the law, legal environment, legal reasoning, and legal issues within the event industry. Students will examine risk and ethical issues as they relate to legal reasoning regarding contracts and contract concepts, torts, property rights law, insurable risks and liability issues, and the impact of law on the economic enterprise in the event industry. The overall objective is to enable future event professionals with the knowledge and skills to recognize, analyze, and evaluate risk and legal issues for the purpose of making and articulating appropriate decisions in the event industry. Junior Standing.

This course provides an introductory but comprehensive overview of the methods and strategies of experience design, program planning, scheduling, theme creation, innovation, execution, and evaluation in experience industry settings. The interrelationship between built and natural environments with structured and co-created experiences will be emphasized. Through the examination of the conceptual and creative applications of design, students will learn vital components of event design and production that are the most challenging but most rewarding in creating a better overall event experience. Meets HPU general education requirement for Integrative Course (INGRV). Prerequisite: EMG-2300 or HSP-1300 and Senior Standing or Permission of Instructor.

This capstone course provides a comprehensive, immersive experience where students will engage in the advanced principles of event management and leadership. Students will refine their skills in strategic planning, decision-making, and problem-solving while deepening their understanding of budgeting, marketing, operations and logistics, risk management, and evaluation. Through hands-on experiences, students will enhance their leadership and teamwork abilities, learning how to oversee all aspects of event design and execution. The course emphasizes critical thinking, communication, and collaboration, preparing students for realworld challenges in the event management industry. Prerequisites: EMG-2300 and Senior standing.

The internship requirements include completing a minimum of 40 clock hours at the job site for each academic credit earned, student reflection reports, student and site supervisor mid-term and final evaluations, and the creation and presentation of a final poster focused on the internship experience to faculty and students. Work completed during the internship should enhance a student’s portfolio and further employment opportunities. To be eligible, students must have a 2.5 overall GPA (permission of the department chair might be granted to students who are very close to the required GPA). Graded: Letter Grade A through F. Credit Hours: Variable & Repeatable for credit up to 12 hours. Prerequisite: Junior standing; completion of the introductory course in the major; and approval from internship course supervisor.