Introduction to Event Planning

Introduction to Event Planning

Every wedding, fundraiser, conference, and festival you have attended happened because someone turned an idea into a well-run experience. Event planning blends creativity with logistics, budgeting, and people skills. Over the semester, you will follow the full life cycle of an event, from setting goals and budgets to selecting venues, negotiating with vendors, marketing, managing day-of operations, and evaluating results. Through case studies, collaborative projects, and guest speakers from the local industry, you will build a complete event plan from concept to wrap-up. No prior experience is required. If you are organized, curious, and enjoy working with people, you will do well here. Great events do not happen by accident, and by the end of this course, you will have the skills and confidence to make them happen.

Chef Miriam Conroy is a professional chef and culinary instructor at the Academy of Hospitality and Culinary Arts at BRCTC. I have planned events for and with the college for 17 years. I previously owned and operated a catering business, Chef Miriam, LLC, for 5 years, where I executed events ranging from private dinners and weddings to corporate and fundraising occasions.