When people gather, something memorable happens. Go beyond the traditional business meeting.

The demand for skilled professionals in this field is rising, and businesses and organizations seek individuals to help them grow by planning and executing successful events. The UGA Event Planning and Meeting Management Certificate gives you the knowledge and skills to make a difference. The power behind our courses comes from our expertise in experiential education methodologies and course instructional design so you can hit the job market with a competitive edge and confidence.

Create an unforgettable experience.

Snapshot

Format: Classroom/Online

Hours: 32

Credits: 3.2 CEUs

Where: Athens

When: Oct. 20 - Nov. 15

Cost: $1,499

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This course will teach you how to plan and run successful events and meetings. It covers finding the right location, logistics, budgeting, and how to manage food and beverages. It emphasizes the importance of successful negotiations and risk management. The course also covers how to leverage audio/visual technology to enhance events, as well as effective marketing and communications planning. The course wraps up with insights into on-site management and post-event activities necessary for a successful event.

  • Understand and use basic event terminology
  • Develop a complete event planning timeline with roles, responsibilities, and deadlines
  • Identify the different players involved in event planning, including meeting stakeholders, vendors, and other planning partners
  • Plan an event or meeting from venue sourcing to post-event survey

Who Should Attend?

This certificate program is specially designed for those interested in strengthening their event planning skillset or seeking to expand their career paths, including:

  • event planners and meeting managers
  • hospitality employees
  • trainers
  • lodging and restaurant personnel
  • human resources managers
  • seminar planners
  • exhibition planners
  • conference center directors
  • sales and marketing managers
  • administrative personnel

Course Information

Course Number: 

1570-005

Course Date: 
Monday, October 20, 2025 to Saturday, November 15, 2025
Course Date Info: 

Monday, October 20 - Online course materials access emailed

Saturday, October 25, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. ET (classroom)
Lunch and breaks provided

Sunday, October 26, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. ET (classroom)
Lunch and breaks provided

Saturday, November 1, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. ET (live-online)

Saturday, November 8, 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. ET (live-online)

Saturday, November 15 - Final Project Due

Location: 
UGA Center for Continuing Education & Hotel
1197 South Lumpkin Street, Athens, GA 30602
United States
See map: Google Maps
US
Course Fee(s): 

$1,499

The course fee includes all materials, lunches and breaks during the classroom sessions.

Hotel Rates Available
You can reserve a discounted hotel room for $149 per night using room group code 50968 until September 24, 2025. This rate is good for both Friday and Saturday nights. After September 24, please call the Georgia Center to request a hotel room with block code 50968. If a room is available, you will receive the group rate. Be sure to mention that you are attending the Event Planning & Meeting Management Certificate course with Continuing Education.

Standard Refund and Course Cancellation Policies:
The Georgia Center issues refunds (minus a $150 processing fee) for cancellations made on or before September 23, 2025. No refunds will be made for cancellations after this date. If a program is canceled for any reason, the Georgia Center will not be responsible for any cancellation/change charges assessed by airlines or travel agencies. When booking airline reservations, you will want to ensure the tickets are refundable if the course does not meet the minimum enrollment. Our office will issue a final confirmation to you on or about September 24.

*Course details, dates, and times are subject to change.

Abby FreemanAbby Freeman is a seasoned meeting planning and exposition professional with a wealth of experience in corporate, healthcare, and association meeting and event management – from continuing medical education programs to Board of Director retreats to multi-day annual conferences. Abby is the Managing Director for Atlanta-based meeting management company Mitchell Meetings. Prior to starting Mitchell Meetings, Abby worked in the physician education department at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and as the Director of Meetings for a large medical education company.

Abby is also an award-winning Meeting Professionals International, Georgia Chapter member and served as 2019-20 President of the Board of Directors. MPI Georgia named Abby Chapter Leader of the Year in 2012 and Meeting Planner of the Year in 2009.