SUBMITTED BY NIAGARA COLLEGE
The world’s largest association of event management professionals has recognized Niagara College’s Event Management (Graduate Certificate) program as the pinnacle of event management certificate programs.
The International Festivals and Events Association (IFEA) awarded the College with a Gold Pinnacle Award for Best Event Management Certification Program on Oct. 1 at its 63rd annual conference in San Diego, CA. The professional competition draws entries from some of the world’s top festivals, events and educational programs in the event management field.
“It’s an honour for our program to be recognized on the world stage through this award,” said Christine Blane, Event Management program coordinator. “Our focus on experiential learning, integrated curriculum, and program effectiveness consistently help NC’s event management program provide our students with an exceptional learning environment.”
This is the fourth time the program has been honoured through IFEA’s Pinnacle Awards, winning Gold awards in 2015 and 2012, and Silver in 2009. Other postsecondary institutions receiving awards included Temple University in Philadelphia, PA.
Event Management is a one-year Graduate Certificate program at Niagara College that prepares graduates for a career in a fast-paced and multi-faceted industry. Students develop skills in planning and logistics, public relations, marketing and sponsorship strategies, and volunteer and risk management – skills that are applied throughout the program.
The hallmark of the program is the annual Many Hands Project. Now entering its 22nd year, the project sees students in the School of Hospitality, Tourism and Sport support a local community non-profit organization with fundraising, marketing and public awareness of the agency. This past spring, students in the Event Management program planned, managed and hosted events to support Community Care St. Catharines and Thorold as well as the College’s Student Administrative Council’s (NCSAC) Nourishing Minds student food bank program, raising over $27,000 in total.
“The success of our Event Management program reflects a growing international recognition of Niagara College’s unique model of applied education, which is producing job-ready graduates in the event management field, and many other industries,” said Vivian Kinnaird, NC’s dean of Business, Hospitality and Environment.
Headquartered in Boise, ID, IFEA is the premier association supporting and enabling festival and event professionals worldwide. In partnership with global affiliates in Africa, Australia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and North America, IFEA offers the most complete source of ideas, resources, information, education and networking for festival and event professionals worldwide.
