Virginia Tech Certificate Program in Meeting & Event Planning

Whether you're a beginner or intermediate meeting and event planner, hotelier, or travel agent, this program is designed for you. During these practical sessions industry professionals guide you through the basic skills and concepts of event and meeting planning. Meeting and event planning is a multi-billion dollar industry. Organizations are becoming increasingly concerned about getting a higher return on investment. They recognize the need for an educated and highly skilled workforce. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that employment in Virginia will continue to grow at a faster than average rate through 2014. The demand for planners grew throughout the 1990s when the economy expanded and companies invested more and more dollars on meetings. As the business world becomes even more globally focused, international meetings and conventions become more commonplace. And as technology increases, the ability for people to meet through e-mail, teleconferencing, and the Web actually encourages more meetings, since people who would formerly never have interacted now have the possibility to collaborate. Participants who successfully complete the program will be awarded 6.0 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and a Certificate of Achievement in Meeting and Event Planning. Participants must attend at least 85% of class meetings to receive a certificate.