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Turn Your Passion for Event Planning into a Professional Career
Fundamentals of Event Planning is a noncredit professional development course designed for learners aspiring to enter the event planning industry. Furthermore, event planner professionals can use this course as a refresher to stay up-to-date with current industry standards.
This event planning course covers must-know topics such as understanding the planning that goes into hosting a successful event, grasping the variety of roles and responsibilities of event industry professionals, and identifying meeting and event industry segments.
This introductory event planning course serves as an ideal starting point to pursue a career in event planning and can be used toward an MSU Denver credential or degree.
Cost | Schedule | Details
The course is $450, with a $35 transaction fee per payment. There are no books to purchase.
- Course begins – February 2, 2026
- Last day to register – February 9, 2026
- Course ends – April 2, 2026
This course presents an overview of the major segments of the events industry such as meetings, exhibitions, special events, and conventions. Students review the roles and responsibilities of destination marketing organizations and destination management companies and examine/evaluate the relationship between official service contractors and professional event planners in the context of their specific functions. This course will highlight the role of the event planner, whose responsibilities include planning, organizing, directing, and controlling various types of meetings and special events.
Once you successfully complete the wedding planner fundamentals course, you can immediately enter the workforce with newly learned skills. You will receive a digital badge embedded with the competencies learned. You can include this badge on your resume, LinkedIn page, portfolio, or share it with an employer. Students will also receive a certificate of completion.
Students can also convert the course to three credits and continue to an MSU Denver certificate or degree. See FAQs for more information.
- Identify meeting and event industry segments.
- Explain the evolving entities within each segment that organizes and sponsors events.
- Describe the specific roles and responsibilities of industry professionals within each industry segment.
- Describe planning requirements common to specific types of meetings, and the planning that goes into hosting a successful event.
- Identify employment and leadership opportunities within each industry segment.
Why take Event Planning?
Learn on your own schedule
The course can be completed in 4-8 weeks and is self-paced online.
Gain confidence in your event planning skills
Receive a personal advising session with an industry expert in the event planning industry who has been where you want to be.
96% of students who completed a post-course Career Launchpad survey in spring 2025 reported:
✓ Increased knowledge, skills, and understanding of the subject matter.
✓ High satisfaction with the overall experience of the course.
✓ Agreed that the subject matter was organized and presented effectively.
Career Pathways in Event Planning
Approximate return on investment for each academic pathway in event management
Pathway 1: Complete the noncredit Event Planning course and position yourself to enter the workforce quickly with newly learned knowledge and skills. The median salary of this pathway is $32,000 a year.
Pathway 2: Continue your academic journey by converting Event Planning to credit and earn a degree in Event and Meeting Management, which allows you to increase your earning potential. The median salary of this pathway is $49,470 a year.
About your course instructor
Event Planning instructor
Wendie Bass is a Master Wedding Planner with over 23 years of experience in the events industry. Her passion for creating unforgettable weddings and events has earned her a reputation as one of the top wedding planners in the region. With a degree in Economics from Ripon College and 27 years of experience in Retail Management, Wendie possesses a unique skill set that allows her to handle all aspects of event production with ease.
As a State Manager for the Association of Bridal Consultants in Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, New Mexico, and Arizona, Wendie is a trusted mentor and educator in the wedding industry. She is also a sought-after speaker at industry events, where she shares her insights and experience with other professionals in the field.
Wendie’s clients appreciate her personalized approach to wedding planning, which ensures that each wedding is a unique reflection of the couple’s vision and style. She has a keen eye for detail and a talent for creative design, which allows her to bring even the most complex wedding concepts to life.
Wendie’s dedication to her clients and her passion for the industry has earned her numerous accolades throughout her career, including the Master Wedding Planner designation. She is also a breast cancer survivor, which has inspired her to give back to her community through charitable work.
Outside of work, Wendie enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen. Her dedication to her clients, her commitment to excellence, and her passion for teaching make Wendie Bass a true standout in the wedding industry.
Ready to register in MSU Denver’s Event Planning Online Course? Register below or request more information.
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Auraria Campus
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Metropolitan State University of Denver
Innovative and Lifelong Learning
P.O. Box 173362
Campus Box 6
Denver, CO 80217-3362