FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2004

CONTACT: Steve Dolan
(619) 594-5664
sdolan@mail.sdsu.edu

SAN DIEGO, Thursday, December 9, 2004 – San Diego State University’s College of Extended Studies will offer a Professional Certificate in Meeting and Event Planning, as well as a new Professional Certificate in Advanced Meeting Management during the spring 2005 semester.

Under a revised curriculum, the Professional Certificate in Meeting and Event Planning begins Thursday, Jan. 20 with the Meeting Planning Basics core course. To earn a certificate, you must complete the five required core courses and minimum 18 hours of elective courses within two years.

This program is for you if you want to explore a new career opportunity or become more astute in your abilities; if you're seeking help with planning a single meeting or event; or if you want to find out how to grow your career in the meeting industry. The College of Extended Studies is partnering with Meeting Professionals International (MPI) to present the largest expansion yet of this very popular certificate program.

The new Professional Certificate in Advanced Meeting Management program begins Tuesday, March 8 and is designed for those with a minimum of three years experience producing meetings – or those that have successfully completed the Meeting and Event Planning Certificate Program.

In order to qualify for the advanced program, you must show proof of your minimum three years experience in the following ways:

• Letter or resume from student outlining meeting planning experience, and;
• Letter of recommendation from an employer/supervisor confirming your background,

  OR

• Successful completion of the Meeting and Event Planning Certificate program from SDSU or another institution. (If the program from another institution does not meet the same standards as the SDSU program, the College reserves the right to reject the application for the certificate program.)

Program advisor and instructor Theresa Breining, CMP, CMM, is the president and owner of Concepts Worldwide.

For more information, call (619) 594-2193 or visit www.NeverStopLearning.net.

SDSU's College of Extended Studies offers a wide variety of lifelong learning classes, seminars, and certificate programs. Career advancement courses are offered in many areas of management, leadership, and quality improvement while self-enrichment courses range from astronomy to web design. Additionally, the College offers over 30 certificate programs, online courses, and many other learning opportunities. To register or for more information, call (619) 594-5152 or log on to www.NeverStopLearning.net.