RHM 185: Introduction to Meetings & Events Industry

Fall and Spring

Course Description: Introduction to planning and managing the various types of meetings within the meetings, expositions, events, and conventions industry.

Objectives:

Introduce you to a variety of gatherings such as conferences, training sessions, conventions, forums, etc.
Demonstrate the different stages of an event from planning to management to evaluation.
Explain the need for training and the difference between certificate programs and certifications.
Show the impact of meetings and events and how they benefit different areas of industry.
Familiarize students with international meetings.
Demonstrate the importance of sales in event management.

Course Grade Basis:

75% - Tests: Students will have three tests throughout the semester & a final exam. The final exam will be comprehensive. Mrs. Blakey will document the best 3 out of 4 test grades. This includes the final exam. Meaning, if you are satisfied with your three test scores at the end of the semester, you will not be penalized for not taking the final exam.

5% - Shila Bowron Lecture: Students must attend one of the two leadership lecture on a predetermined date. To accommodate students attending, we have cancelled classes for the day. You must sign-up and dress in business casual to receive credit.

10% - Top 5 Blog Post: Students will create a “Top 5” blog post of the five most valuable takeaways learned in this course throughout the semester.

10% - Attendance: Attendance is recorded (at random and unannounced) 10 times. Mrs. Blakey will only count 8 out of 10 attended days towards your final grade. You can miss two classes, when attendance is counted, without penalty. These absences can be excused or unexcused. More than two, for any reason at all, will impact your attendance grade negatively.

Student Comments:

“I enjoyed going to guest speakers for extra credit. They were a great excuse to network with people in the hospitality industry we otherwise would not have had because we were in class.”

“The test reviews were very helpful and always felt productive. I also enjoyed the guest speakers because it opened my eyes to more areas within the hospitality business and how everything we learned about is linked to one another.”

“She is one of the best teachers I've had in my 3 years here. It is apparent that she has respect for her students and talks to us like well-educated individuals.

Some professors talk down to students or just flip through slides all semester but she didn't do that. The course was interactive and very educational.”

“This course expanded my understanding of Event Planning and helped me decided to pursue a career in this field.”

“I liked that we were able to have discussions and her teaching style feels like a dialogue instead of just talking at us.”

“Mrs. Blakey was very open for discussion when help was needed on class and other things. She showed a solid grasp of the class and program.”