Pandemic Meeting & Event Design
Certificate
Pandemic Meeting & Event Design Certificate
In Partnership With: 
Course Overview
While risk has always been a part of our events, the novel coronavirus pandemic has tested all assumptions we have made on risk planning as an industry. As events start to come back into live formats, rethinking the on-site event strategy and design is critical not only to surviving in the short-term but creating a sustainable model for the future.
In partnership with MPI, this brand new and timely course will assess the current environment and map new ways to prepare your event strategy, design, execution, and evaluation – no matter what comes next. From risk management to venue protocols; contract clauses to user experience; food and beverage to marketing, we cover the areas most impacted by the pandemic to help you develop and design well-informed, future-forward events.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
- Participants will be able to construct an elevated event strategy that meets the needs of events in a post/pandemic environment.
- Participants will be able to implement resources for safer event design.
- Participants will be able to execute research-informed event strategies.
- Participants will discover event tactics to deploy at their events to assist in risk reduction.
- Participants will be able to distinguish event sites that meet their risk mitigation needs.
Scroll down to see more details including the weekly outline.
Important Note | ADDITIONAL COURSE RESOURCES
The Event Leadership Institute understands the urgency and tremendous amount of pressure planners are facing to understand and adapt to the constantly changing pandemic industry situation.
To address this need, this course includes bonus resources:
- Weekly live scheduled online class meetings. Join instructor Kevin White to discuss real-time updates, ask pressing questions, and hear from industry experts. (If you can’t make a live class, don’t stress! All are recorded and available for viewing at your schedule.)
- A peer-based community forum to exchange ideas, network, and communicate with other learners to support each other during this challenging time.
- Access to continual course updates. As the events industry experiences a seismic shift, stay current with new course material releases featuring the latest event-related pandemic information and insights.
Event Leadership Institute has been approved by the Events Industry Council (EIC) as a Preferred Provider of continuing education courses, including the COVID-19 Event Strategy & Design Certificate course, which qualifies for CMP continuing education credit. Determination of continuing education credit eligibility or Preferred Provider status does not imply EIC’s endorsement or assessment of education quality.
Learn From An Industry Expert
Instructor | Kevin White is the head of the Boston-based, award-winning experiential event agency XPL. He has been working with global organizations on their marketing and development efforts for nearly a quarter century. As veterans of the experiential industry, Kevin and his team of producers have helped these organizations to develop strategies for their target audiences, assess communication plans to deliver their messaging and then implement development events that engage, strengthen and energize groups.
Clients have brought XPL’s production skill to bear on five continents. Those clients include institutions such as Harvard Business School, non-profits such as The Special Olympics, governmental units such as the US Department of State and corporations such as Bugatti. Each brings a diverse set of needs that they entrust Kevin and his team to fulfill.
Kevin is a certified COVID-19 Compliance Officer, has undergone training from the World Health Organization (WHO) on mass gatherings, and has also received the Event Safety Access certification from the Event Safety Alliance.
When not working on client projects, Kevin has been a professor at NYU and head of content development for the Event Leadership Institute. He is currently working on his first book on innovation in experiential design and recently launched a series of entrepreneurial-based retreats around the world under the brand The Table.
View Kevin's Profile
Week 1 : Developing A New Event Strategy
- Assess current pandemic guidance & best practices
- Approach strategy with intentional purpose
- Understand methods to change and adapt event strategies to meet evolving needs
- Know key differences of online and on site outcomes
- Cultivate a new understanding of multi-faceted event audiences
- Examine fixed & growth mindset mentalities for event professionals
Week 2 : Project Oversight & Risk Management
- Develop & monitor an event SOAR (Strengths, Opportunities, Actions, Results) analysis
- Navigate new financials & timelines for a COVID supply chain
- Develop a duty of care philosophy
- Identify your new risk landscape
- Implement a risk assessment tool to inform project planning
- Understand insurance coverage parameters and contractual clauses
Week 3 : Design Formats
- Explore the human element of experiential design
- Reset success metrics for event outcomes
- Cultivate audience engagement and current safety guideline synergy
- Identify movement patterns to keep crowd flow safe
- Develop a low risk event schedule
- Review spatial design options for risk reduction
Week 4 : Site Selection & Evaluation
- Establish guidelines for location and venue selection
- Evaluate venues for suitability & protocol guidelines
- Conduct safe & thorough site inspections
- Develop an updated site selection checklist
- Review indoor vs. outdoor venue options for feasibility & risk reduction
Week 5 : Attendee Experience & Safety
- Develop, execute & monitor an attendee duty of care plan
- Explore risk-reduced engagement formats including contactless and distanced experiences
- Prepare event teams & vendors to manage guest expectations
- Develop a robust event communications plan
Week 6 : Onsite Event Standards & Response Plans
- Establish guidelines and enforcement protocols for various event elements
- Training on-site event teams & vendors to mitigate event risk
- Create operating procedures for non-compliant attendees
Assessments & Grading
- Forum posts (completed, and quality)
- Weekly quizzes (80% pass required for each. You can take each quiz up to three times)
- Virtually Proctored Final Exam (with minimum pass at 75%)
Minimum course passing grade: 75%
What students say about ELI certificate courses
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"“This class is a must-do for anyone involved in planning, supporting, or executing online/digital events. Even if you are an expert in your field, you will discover areas where you can grow and bring value to your future events.”"
Lisa ArmstrongIntel -
"“This extensive course explained every question I had, gave loads of great ideas to implement, and given me real life tools to use to exceed the expectations of any of my clients who are shifting from a live to a virtual event. This course was WELL worth the time and money for my own knowledge, as well as my company’s growth and need to evolve during this time.”"
Nicole TusaEvent Management & Logistics, NOCCI -
"“Never have I attended classes in the morning and actually put to work what I learned that same day.“"
Jan AumentGood Plan Jan -
"“Event Leadership Institute fosters great community among meetings & events planners and producers. The access to top professionals in the field and the opportunity to bond and collaborate with hundreds of colleagues was invaluable.”"
Ernie KapankeStudio 5x5 -
"“In an industry that has evolved practically overnight, ELI’s courses are helpful to event professionals at any level of experience and provides opportunities for learning and networking. The price of this course is a small investment in the future of events.” "
Emily OlsonArrow Event Management
The Event Leadership Institute stands behind all of its content. If you feel you didn't learn what you expected to in this course, just let us know within 30 days of your last lesson and we'll give you a full refund. Click here to view our refund policy and full terms & conditions.
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