Objective:

• To gain a holistic understanding of conferencing and the reasons for a conference
• To examine the essential properties of running a successful conference
• To cultivate a participatory and an active style of learning through discussion, group dynamics and self evaluation

Course Outline:

A. The Planning Function
     What is planning
     Planning for events
     Elements of the strategic event planning process
     Developing a strategic plan

B. Strategic marketing of event
     What is marketing
     Event marketing research
     Steps in the strategic marketing process
     Planning event ‘product’ experiences
     Pricing, free entry or donation
     Integrated marketing communication for events

C. Project management for events 
     Project management
     Phases of the Project management of events
     Project management techniques
     Project evaluation

D. Logistics
     What are logistics
     The elements of event logistics
     On-site logistics
     Shutdown
     Techniques of logistics management
     Negotiation and assessment
     Control of Events Logistics
     Evaluation of logistics
     The logistics plan

E. Staging Events
     Theming and event design
     Programming
     Choice of venue
     Audience and guests
     The stage, power, lights, sound, audio and special effects