MEP103 - Strategic Event and Meeting Management

Course Overview

Design with intention. Deliver with impact. Evaluate with purpose.

Strategic event planning isn’t just about coordination, it’s about connecting every decision to a broader goal. In this interactive online course, you’ll explore how to design meetings and events that align with organizational objectives and deliver meaningful outcomes.

You’ll cover the full lifecycle of event and meeting management, from developing SMART goals and managing stakeholders to budgeting, program design, and post-event evaluation. Topics also include site selection, sustainability planning, and measuring return on investment (ROI). Each module is grounded in real-world scenarios to help you apply strategy-driven thinking to every phase of the planning process.

Whether you're managing internal meetings, nonprofit fundraisers, or large-scale conferences, you’ll leave this course equipped to plan with purpose and lead with confidence.

Note: While not required, this course is highly recommended to be taken as one of the first courses in the Meeting and Event Planning Certificate.

Key Takeaways

• Apply a strategic framework to align event goals with organizational priorities
• Create SMART objectives and use them to guide event design and execution
• Manage stakeholders and vendors through clear communication and RFP development
• Build budgets, plan program agendas, and oversee food & beverage logistics
• Integrate sustainability and evaluation plans to measure impact and ROI

Topics Covered

• Anatomy of an Event or Meeting
• Strategic vs. Tactical Planning
• SMART Goals & Stakeholder Management
• KPIs and Event ROI
• Site Selection and the RFP Process
• Financial Management & Budgeting
• Food and Beverage Planning
• Program Schedule & Agenda Development
• Evaluation Planning & Sustainability Considerations

Who Should Attend?

• Event and meeting planners looking to take a more strategic role
• Corporate, nonprofit, and public sector professionals managing complex events
• Planners ready to expand their skills in budgeting, evaluation, and stakeholder engagement
• Individuals pursuing CMP certification or professional advancement in event strategy

Applies To The Following Certificate

• Meeting and Event Planning Certificate : Required