Event Logistics and Program Design

This unit develops students’ skills in planning and coordinating the logistical, programmatic, and vendor-related elements of meetings and events. Students will learn to select sites, arrange transportation and catering, manage AV and exhibitors, plan agendas and speakers, and prepare contracts and day-of operations for in-person and virtual/hybrid events.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze event purpose, stakeholder needs, and site requirements to produce a venue-selection justification that addresses space, accessibility, transportation, lodging, audiovisual, and layout constraints
• Evaluate and select vendors (catering, transportation, audiovisual, speakers, exhibitors, and travel agents) using cost-benefit, risk, and service-quality criteria and prepare negotiation strategies and required contract terms
• Plan and develop a detailed event program and agenda — including session scripting, speaker coordination, exhibit promotion, invitations, and hybrid/virtual adaptations — that aligns with event goals and timelines
• Apply best practices to design the attendee experience (food & beverage service, on-site showmanship, security/alcohol service, conference-call/virtual platform setup) and produce a comprehensive day-of-event operations checklist