Event Education: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

The topic of event education is one which becomes more critical every day.  Almost 50 years ago, when MPI was started, there were few if any academic institutions teaching “events.”  There were random courses (often in the Recreation Department) which touched on the topic, but people wanting to enter the field basically taught themselves.  As time has moved forward, there are now three separate pillars of event education:

1. Formal academic education. There are hundreds of event courses being taught around the world, many academic programs and a few event specific degrees (such as the new Bachelor of Science in Events and Entertainment at Temple University.

2. Professional certifications: Many professional associations, including MPI, work with certification programs such as the world’s largest program, the Certified Meeting Planner (CMP)

3. Academic certificate programs, which unlike certifications are granted by universities vs. professional association. These include Temple University’s award-winning Event Leadership Executive Certificate program, which also earns you credit towards your CMP.

The past 14 months have seen more changes then the prior 4 decades.  Throughout the  pandemic, event education has become even more essential.  In working with both university students and event professionals, one of the key points that event educators have been making is the question of “what did you do during COVID?’ Did you take advantage of training courses, certifications, webinars, etc.  If I have learned anything in this industry is that we have to be learning ever day f our lives, as our industry is constantly changing.

If you have stopped learning, it’s time to find another career.