Postgraduate Diploma in Conference Planning by Distance Learning
Postgraduate Diploma in Conference Planning (PG Dip. Conf. Plan.) with PR, Marketing & Advertising modules by Distance Learning
Introduction
Conferences are at the forefront of modern communications, whether this is for internal communications (training seminars, retreats, annual general meetings, major annual conferences, for example) or as a vehicle for communicating with key audiences (such as press launches and some technical conferences). A conference is a generic term to describe a diverse mix of communications events.
This online learning course will teach students how to plan and organise conferences of any kind.
Course Content
Types of Events, Special Events, Mega Events, Hallmark Events, Major Events, The Event Manager, Qualities of an Event Manager, Strategic Planning, SMART objectives, PEST & SWOT Analyses, Operational Planning, Plans, Organisational Structure, Systematic Planning, Implementation, Post-Event Analysis, Case Studies.
Staging the Event, Key Suppliers, the Stage, the Venue, Factors to consider, Room Setup, Site Inspection Visits, Contracts and Cancellation Fees.
Definition, Benefits, Features, the Budget, Types of Conferences, the Conference Planning Team.
Conference Topics and Timings, Speaker Acquisition, Where to find Speakers, the Briefing, the Conference Brochure, Design, Printing, Distribution.
Suitability, Location, Availability, Size and Cost, Facilities, Configuration, Inspection.
Why hold a Conference Abroad?, DMCs, Location, Legalities, Negotiation, Documentation, Health & Safety, Translators & Interpreters.
Understanding the Objectives of the Press Conference, Defining the Target Audience that Should Attend, Planning Date and Time, Selecting and Booking Venue, Listing Logistics Requirements, Developing a Speaker and Presentation Plan, Reviewing Presentation Content with your Client, Timelines and Media/Press Invitations, Managing Confirmations.
Definition, Planning, Agenda, Security.
Definition, Benefits, Standards, Venues, Transport, Meeting Rooms, Supplies, Caterers, Recycling, PR.
Definition, Types of Keynote Speakers, Importance of, Planning the Workshop, Seminar Planning.
Definition, Why hold a Virtual Event?, Teleconferences, Service Options, the Meeting itself, Evaluation, Video Conferences, Service Options, Pros & Cons, Preparing the Venue, Evaluating, Web Conferencing, Definition, Pros & Cons, Different Options, Potential Difficulties.
Closing Your Events, Administration, Evaluation of the Event, Methods of Evaluation.
Selecting the Right Location, Legalities, Destination Management Companies, Transport, Travelling by Air, Car or Road.
Types of equipment used at conferences.
Supplier Selection, Researching Suppliers, Meeting with Suppliers, Considerations, Supplier Negotiation, Contracts, Supplier Relations, Contingency Plans.
Budgeting; Forecasting Expenditure; Compiling and Understanding Event Contracts; Managing Health and Safety; Event Risk Assessment; Copyright and Trademark Considerations; Event Ethical Practice. Public Liability and Insurance, Accident and Incident forms, Planning for Hot or Wet and Stormy Weather Conditions, Emergency Management Plan for Fire, Explosion, Dangerous Chemical Release, Medical Emergency, Bomb Threat, Robbery etc., Emergency Services Management, Fire Safety, Contingency Planning, Evacuation Plans and Training, Crisis Management Strategy, Media Management during a Crisis or Emergency, Management of Complaints.
Project Management Defined, The Project and the Project Manager, the Role of the Project Manager, Successful Project Management, the Project Management Life Cycle, Formulating a Plan, OpenProj software.
Definitions, Historical Development, the Advertising Industry and Professional Bodies, Codes of Practice, Advertising Agencies, Selecting an Agency and working with it, Advertising Campaign Planning and Management, Advertising Media. Types of Advertisements - Magazines, Newspapers, Posters, Billboards, Ambient Advertising. The Relationship between Advertising and Public Relations.
Needs and Motivations of Event Customers, The Market Research Process, Effectively Collect and Analyse Market Data, Reporting the findings to the Team and Client, Elements of the Marketing Mix (Product, Price, Promotion and Place), The Pricing Process and How to Establish a Pricing Plan for your Market, Target Marketing Channels, Promote and Develop a Website and Direct Marketing Strategy.
Planning the Event Proposal Strategy with Your Target Market in Mind, Preparing the Event Proposal, Sourcing and Sending Invitations, Budgeting and Buying Advertising, Publicising the Event, Organising Contests and Pre Event Campaigns, Merchandising, Packaging and Sales Promotion, Formulating a Public Relations Strategy, Conducting Market Research, Methods of Measuring Marketing Activity.
Introduction to Social Media and Social Networking, How Social Media is transforming the way we do Business, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube.
Review the Place for PR in Business Today, Review PR's Relationship with other Functions/Professions including Event Management, Marketing, etc. Professionalism and industry bodies. Sponsorship and Community Relations, Definitions and Historical Development of the Sponsorship Market, Why Organisations engage in Sponsorship, Using Sponsorship to Target Particular Publics.
Blogs, Microblogs, Chatrooms, Delicious, Email, Flickr, Twitter, Instant messaging, Message Boards, Mobile Internet , New Media Releases, Online Conferencing, Online Surveys, Pay per click, Podcasts, RSS, Search Engines, SEO, Social Networking Service Sites, Video Sharing, Virtual worlds, VoIP, Wiki and Widgets.
Commercial Implications of the Internet, Social Interaction with the Internet, Web 2.0 and its Implications, Internet Convergence, the Network Effect, Internet Information Exchange, Internet Audience Size and Exposure, Internet Culture and Communication, Transparency and the Internet.
Online Communications Platforms, Online Communication Channels, Online Communication Mediums, Interactivity and Application of Communication Channels, Policy, Optimisation, Monitoring and Evaluation of Online Communications Channels, Online Communications Channels Planning and Implementation.
Local versus Global Communication, Landscaping Platforms, Channels and context, Online PR Organisational Analysis and Segmentation, Developing Online PR Strategies, Online PR Tactics and SEO considerations, Online PR Planning, Managing Online PR Risk and Opportunities.
Internet influence on News, Internet Journalists, Economics of Online News Production, Internet Critics and other influences, the PR Practitioner as an Online Publisher, Ethical Internet PR, Truthfulness and Duty of Care, Online Ethics, Debate, Guidelines and Best Practice. Monitoring and Evaluation of Social Media Discourse, Trends and Value. Policy Influences, corporate speak. Implications of Social Media for Corporate Social Responsibility.
The Business Plan, Legalities, Setting Up, the Marketing Strategy, Knowing Your Competitors, Promotional Tools.
The Importance of Preparation and Research, Understanding your Audience Before you Present, Speech Content (Subject Matter and Objectives), Speech Delivery and Variety, Discuss the Importance of Body Language, Eye Contact etc, Presentation Aids e.g. Visuals, etc. Management of Locations and Audiences, Presentation Structure.
The projects are an important part of the course. Each course participant is given 3 project briefs. Participants are asked at the end of the course to produce 3 Conference Proposals with their recommendations to the examiners. This gives participants the opportunity to use the knowledge they have obtained during the course in a focused way and develops proposal-writing and creative skills.
Online Lecture Modules, Subject Expert Feedback Sessions after each Module, practical case studies, end of module assignments. etc.
Fitzwilliam Institute Group maintains a panel of qualified subject experts.
Anyone working in Event Management in a senior or support position or those who wish to make a career change to Event Management. The course will also benefit anyone, such as a P.A., who has Coonference Planning as part of their job specification.
Successful candidates qualify for the Postgraduate Diploma in Conference Planning. The Postgraduate Diploma is awarded at Distinction, Credit or Pass level. This course is independently accredited by the Institute of Commerical Management and is industry and internationally recognised in over 140 different countries worldwide.
Start Date
25 May 2012
Course Application
Application for this course is available immediately online through our Course Payments Page.
Course Duration
24 weeks to 2 calendar years depending on individual progress.
Fees
€1995.00
All course material is included in the fee. Fees are payable by credit card, debit card, bank draft/transfer, cheque or PayPal. All fees must be paid before the course starts
Brochure
Request a Brochure for this Course.
Disclaimer
Every effort is made to ensure accuracy, however responsibility is disclaimed for any error or omission in this website.
Online Courses as part of the Fitzwilliam Institute Group closes on Bank Holidays and for a number of days at Christmas and New Year. Fitzwilliam Institute Group reserves the right to postpone, cancel or alter courses without notice or to change any of the details in this web page. Fees are not refundable unless the course is cancelled by Fitzwilliam Institute Group.
Fitzwilliam Institute Group, Temple Court, Temple Road, Blackrock, Co. Dublin. Tel: (01) 283 45 79 Fax: (01) 283 45 75
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