HomeMy WebLinkAboutHRM-129
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Bergen Community College
Division of Business and Social Sciences
Hotel Restaurant Management Department
Course Syllabus
HRM-129 – Event Planning and Management I
Semester and Year: Fall 2025
Section Number: HRM-129-001HY
Meeting Times: Online and In-Person on 9/11, 9/18, 9/25, 10/2, 10/9, 10/16, and 10/23
Locations: S-266
Instructor: Professor Ronda M. Drakeford
Office Location: S-264 and A-306-C
Phone: 201-879-1169
Departmental Secretary: A-306
Office Hours: Monday: 9:30 am – 1:30 pm A-306C, Tuesday: 9:30 am – 1:30 pm A-306C, and
Wednesday: 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm S-264
Email Address: rdrakeford1@bergen.edu
Official Catalog Course Description
This introductory event planning course provides the knowledge and tools necessary to meet operational requirements and exceed the needs and expectations of meeting and event participants in a constantly evolving profession and conceptual age, with content relevant to daily activities and informed decision-making. Various types of events will be planned, implemented, and executed.
Credits: 3 (Hours: 1 Lecture, 4 Lab)
Pre-requisites: None Co-requisites: None
Student Learning Outcomes: As a result of meeting the requirements in this course,
students will be able to:
Student Learning Outcome: Means of Assessment:
1. Draft a valid contract for a special
event.
Mock negotiation simulation using their
contract. Oral defense or pitch to a panel
of instructors or industry partners.
Rubrics will evaluate content accuracy,
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depth of analysis, application of
knowledge, and communication skills.
2. Develop a budget, timeline, and
detailed schedule for the event planning
process.
Students will create a plan for a live
campus event, present the plan to a
panel, and create a professional digital
portfolio. Rubrics will evaluate content
accuracy, depth of analysis, application
of knowledge, and communication skills.
3. Develop a range of marketing
strategies, including advertising and
promotional activities.
Students will pitch their campaign to the
class or a mock panel of clients.
Students will implement a strategy for a
live campus event or pop-up business.
Students will integrate real analytics for
campaigns posted on school pages or
social media. Rubrics will evaluate
content accuracy, depth of analysis,
application of knowledge, and
communication skills.
4. Assess various traditional and
alternative event site venues.
Students will participate in field trips to
local venues for tours, match venues to
live or simulated client event briefs, and
invite event professionals for critique or
panel review. Students will complete a
career exploration project in which they
will identify and describe potential career
paths in the event planning industry.
Rubrics will evaluate content accuracy,
depth of analysis, application of
knowledge, and communication skills.
5. Plan, organize, and execute various
types of special events.
Students will create a detailed, realistic,
and creative plan that includes
contingency measures and cost controls,
along with a professionally formatted
event plan. The assessment will focus on
identifying key leadership qualities and
connecting them to successful outcomes
in real-world hospitality environments.
Rubrics will evaluate content accuracy,
depth of analysis, application of
knowledge, and communication skills.
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Course Content:
Introduction to Event Planning
• Characteristics of events
• Evolution and history of events
• Contemporary events industry
• Relationships between the events industry and other sectors
Event Project Management
• Importance of event project management in the international events industry
• Organizational challenges in managing event projects
• Event project management compared to traditional event planning theories and
practices
• Effective event project management throughout the entire event cycle
Event Design and Production
• Relationship between the event production steps of concept, design, and staging
• Common elements of the event attendee experience
Event Operations
• Key elements of event operations
• Framework of event planning
• Flow of resources around an event
• Utilization of resources in the event operations process
• Importance of quality in event management and the competitive advantage
• Importance of contracts and understanding the basic contractual requirements
for events
• Event logistical perspective
Event Human Resource Management
• Human resource challenges of managing events
• Process of event recruitment
• Complexities of leading event employees and volunteers
Event Finance
• Importance of financial skills for an event manager
• Key financial terminology
• Budgeting in operational, tactical, and strategic events management contexts
• Sources of event funding
• Monitor and evaluate an event’s financial performance
Event Marketing
• Event marketing planning components
• Event marketing terminology and the role of new media in event marketing
• Event sponsorship and the process of attracting suitable event sponsors
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Textbook Information:
Provided by Professor Drakeford
Grading Policy:
Performance is graded on a scale of A to F. Grades are based on the quality of written
assignments, class participation, projects, and the final exam project.
• Virtual/In-Person Discussions/Participation/Attendance: 40%
• Final Exam Project: 20%
• Written Assignments/Projects: 30%
• HRM Service and Volunteerism: 10%
A student's final grade for the course is primarily based on their performance in required
work (lab performance, examinations, attendance, etc.) and on their mastery of the
material covered in the course. Class participation will also be assessed, and this
assessment will contribute to determining the student's final course grade.
Late Work: Course assignments, projects, and discussions must be submitted on time.
Any student with extenuating or emergency circumstances that prevent submission on
the due date should discuss his/her situation individually with the instructor. Late
submissions will result in a reduction of the grade. Assignments will not be accepted
more than two weeks after the due date. The final project must be submitted by the due
date.
Late discussion posts will not be accepted.
All written assignments should be formatted in accordance with MLA style.
Teaching Techniques:
1. Lectures
2. Videos - Slideshows
3. Interactive Activities
4. Projects
5. Course Handouts via Canvas
6. Class Trips
7. Industry Professional Virtual Presentations
Required Dress Code on Event Execution Days
Long-sleeved black button-down dress shirt
Necktie
Black trousers (No jeans, corduroys, or denims)
Black shoes
HRM-129 Attendance Policy:
1. Attendance will be taken at the beginning and end of each class session
2. You are required to attend 14 out of 15 classes, or you may be required to repeat the
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course
. Absences require an official doctor’s note or other formal documentation.
3. Lateness that exceeds 10 minutes will be counted as an absence
4. 2 latenesses that are less than 10 minutes each equal one absence. You must notify
the
instructor when you arrive late. Otherwise, you will be marked absent.
5. There are no make-up examinations.
BCC Attendance Policy
All students are expected to attend every scheduled meeting of each course they are
enrolled in. Attendance and lateness policies, along with any sanctions, will be
determined by the instructor for each section of each course. These policies will be
documented in writing within the individual course outline. The instructor will also
maintain attendance records for administrative and counseling purposes.
Append a statement on the departmental/discipline attendance policy (if any). Append
a statement on the attendance policy for the course.
Other College, Divisional, and/or Departmental Policy Statements
Statement on plagiarism and/or academic dishonesty:
Academic Matters - Bergen Community College - Acalog ACMS™
Statement on the appropriate use of AI (see the following link for guidance):
AI-Guidance-Resource-Page.pdf (bergen.edu)
ADA Statement:
Disability Services (Office of Specialized Services) | Bergen Community College
Sexual Harassment Statement:
HR-003-001.2018-Policy-Prohibiting-Sexual-Harassment.pdf (bergen.edu)
Statement on acceptable use of BCC technology:
Acceptable-Use-Policy.pdf (bergen.edu)
Student and Faculty Support Services
Accessibility Statement
Bergen Community College is committed to ensuring the full participation of all students
in its programs. If you have a documented disability (or think you may have a disability)
and, as a result, need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this class,
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complete course requirements, or benefit from the College’s programs or services,
contact the Office of Special Services (OSS) as soon as possible at 201-612-5270 or
www.bergen.edu/oss. To receive any academic accommodation, you must be
appropriately registered with OSS. The OSS works with students confidentially and does
not disclose any disability-related information without their permission. The OSS serves
as a clearinghouse on disability issues and works in partnership with faculty and all other
student service offices.
Student Support Services
Bergen Community College provides exemplary support to its students and offers a
broad variety of opportunities and services. A comprehensive array of student support
services including advising, tutoring, academic coaching, and more are available online
at https://bergen.edu/currentstudents/.
Sidney Silverman Library Online Resources: General Search and Databases: Library | Bergen Community College Guides BY SUBJECT - LibGuides at Bergen Community College
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Course Outline and Calendar
Refer to Canvas for due dates. This course outline and calendar are tentative and subject to change based on the class's progress.
Modules Chapter Readings Assignment Due Dates
1 Introduction to Event
Planning
Chapter 1 – Introduction to Events
Management
Introductions Due: 9/7/25 Week 1
2. Event Management Chapter 1 – Introduction to Events
Management
Chapter 2 – Event Project Management
9/11/25 - Thursday In-
Person Lecture
Week 2
3. Event Design and
Production
Chapter 3 – Event Design and
Production
9/17/25 - Wednesday
Online Assignment
9/18/25 - In-Person
Lecture
Week 3
4. Event Operations Chapter 4 – Event Operations 9/24/25 - Wednesday
Online Assignment
9/25/25 - Thursday In-
Person Mid-Term Event
Week 4
5. Resource Management Chapter 5 – Event Human Resource
Management
10/1/25 - Wednesday
Online Assignment
10/2/25 - Thursday In-
Person Lecture
Week 5
6. Event Marketing and Event
Types
Chapter 7 – Event Marketing 10/8/25 - Wednesday
Online Assignment
10/9/25 - In-Person
Lecture
Week 6
7. Event Budgeting Chapter 6 – Event Finance 10/15/25 - Wednesday
Online Assignment
10/16/25 - Thursday In-
Person Lecture
Week 7
8. Final Project None Final Project Week 8 Final Project
October 23, 2025