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Black Meetings & Tourism October/November 2009: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 26 BY JULIE ACHILLES Not only does Temple University's School of Tourism and Hospitality Management (STHM) offer bachelor, master and doctoral degree programs, it also provides continuing education in a very important industry by offering the supplemental, non-degree Event Leadership Executive Certificate Program. This year, the program has been completely restructured to focus on the most important current issues facing event planners. The Event Leadership Executive Certificate Program is ideal for professionals looking to advance their education or for those who are seeking a career change. Either way, its practical and comprehensive for- mat allows for completion in just one year. The newly revised program features three, eight-hour core classes that present the basics of the event man- agement profession. Students also select three, four- hour electives that range in topic from event entertain- ment and operations, to risk management, to legal issues in the entertainment industry. The program also requires students to complete 50 to 100 hours of hands- on experience in the form of an externship and a com- prehensive industry portfolio. Ira Rosen (MA, CFEE), program director and adjunct instructor for STHM, explained how the restructured program appeals to a broader demographic of people, including the non-tra- ditional learner. "For some students who work full-time, their job can count toward externship hours," he said. "This makes the program more attractive to those already in the industry, but still gives newcomers a broad introduction to the field." "Our entire faculty consists of industry practition- ers," continued Rosen, "and their combined experience totals more than 150 years." This dedication to the tourism and hospitality industry is evident in the quali- ty of the program. Students gain advice from profes- sionals who have experienced the industry first-hand, rather than just through a textbook. This certificate program provides a breadth of informa- tion and training that can be beneficial in an increasingly competitive industry. The Event Leadership Executive Certificate is recognized by a number of professional organizations including the International Festival and Events Association (IFEA), Meeting Professionals International (MPI) and the International Special Events Society (ISES). Also, an increasing number of companies are differentiating salaries based on additional training in the industry. A recent graduate of the program, Mariya Brewer, senior convention services manager for the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau (PCVB), said that the courses helped her gain a broader scope of the industry. "It not only gave me a chance to earn my accreditation, but it was advantageous to participate in a classroom setting and learn from the best and bright- est in the industry," she said. Brewer, an experienced meeting planner and event coordinator, especially enjoyed delving into corporate leadership and learning more about special events through case studies that made textbook lessons come to life. "STHM's affiliation with important industry part- ners also helped me obtain my current position at the PCVB," said Brewer, who previously worked as a meet- ing planner for the American College of Physicians. STHM's connection to the PCVB and its Multicultural Affairs Congress (MAC) has led to heavy recruitment and promotion opportunities for many students. This fall, the MAC is hosting a series of Professional Development workshops that are likely to include such topics as start-up entrepreneurship in the event plan- ning industry, business management skills and leader- ship skills. The success of students within STHM's Event Leadership Executive Certificate Program provides evidence that continued education and industry-related learning experiences are increasingly important in today's growing tourism and hospitality industry. Staying connected and being aware of industry trends will help to promote expertise throughout the profes- sional community. For more information on STHM's Event Leadership Executive Certificate Program, visit http://sthm.tem- ple.edu-/evlead/index.html. TEMPLE UNIVERSITY'S RESTRUCTURED EVENT LEADERSHIP EXECUTIVE CERTIFICATE PROGRAM