The award-winning Event Management program is returning to Niagara College with a modern makeover this Fall – including flexible delivery options, enhanced experiential learning opportunities and an updated curriculum designed to meet the evolving demands of today’s event industry.
Based at the Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake – in the heart of Niagara’s premier hospitality, tourism and events region – the one-year graduate certificate program offers students direct access to world-class venues, wineries, festivals and tourism operators.
The program was reimagined from the ground up to address emerging industry trends, including attendee-experience design, modern event technologies, risk management and sustainability. To support diverse learning styles and lifestyle needs, the program offers a blend of on-campus, hybrid and flexible course delivery formats. This approach maintains the College’s signature collaborative standard by providing modern adaptability.
“The events industry has undergone a massive transformation, requiring professionals who are creative, adaptable, technologically savvy, and skilled at creating memorable experiences,” said Caroline Chabert Delio, Associate Dean of the School of Hospitality and Tourism.
“Our reimagined curriculum ensures our graduates gain the hands-on experience and industry connections they need to remain at the forefront of that evolution – right in the heart of Niagara’s thriving tourism sector.”
Rather than confining practical application to a final capstone project, the program embeds live, hands-on learning into every term. Students conceptualize, budget, market and execute live event projects from start to finish throughout their studies. Alongside these projects, students complete industry placements to gain real-world experience – from local festivals and corporate conferences to fundraisers and sporting events. They graduate with a specialized capstone experience tied to the hospitality and tourism sectors.
From sponsorship decks and marketing strategies to operational safety plans and event projects, students gain professional work-ready skills to succeed in the industry.
Graduates transition into high-impact roles across corporate, non-profit and social event sectors, including event manager, marketing event coordinator, venue manager, wedding planner, project manager, brand activation specialist, corporate sales manager and more.
As part of the College’ School of Hospitality and Tourism, Event Management students will benefit from being a part of the College’s trailblazing Culinary, Tourism and Beverage Studies division – which also includes the School of Culinary Arts and the School of Wine, Beer and Spirits.
“The Culinary, Tourism and Beverage Studies division, along with the Niagara College community, has one of the most diverse and extensive community event programming in the Ontario college system. The Event Management students will be able to get involved, organize, and execute a variety of unique events that provide real world opportunities and create an incredible experience for the students,” said Craig Youdale, Dean of Culinary, Tourism and Beverage Studies.
“The expanse of opportunity ranges from massive one-day events down to intimate dining experiences that all will create skill sets that they will carry into the job market after graduation.”
Standout alumni success
“The program helped me build relationships
with industry professionals and make connections
that ultimately led to my first job after graduation.”
– Emily Dietrich, Director of Sales and Events, Stone Eagle Winery and Two Sisters Vineyards
Award-winning professional Emily Dietrich (Event Management, 2013) is the Director of Event Sales at Stone Eagle Winery, Two Sisters Vineyards and 11th post on Queen.
Program alumni continue to make their mark across Ontario’s tourism and hospitality sectors.
For St. Catharines resident Emily Dietrich, completing the program paved the way for an exciting career. A 2013 graduate, Dietric started out with Vintage Hotels and served as Manager of Business Events with Niagara Parks before taking on her current role as Director of Event Sales for Stone Eagle Winery, Two Sisters Vineyards and 11th Post on Queen.
Over the past decade, Dietrich has earned widespread industry recognition. Her honours include the Meeting Professionals International (MPI) Toronto Chapter Future Leader of the Year Award (2020), the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) “20 in their Twenties” award (2020), and the Canadian Hospitality Foundation Event Management Award (2013).
She is passionate about her work in the industry – whether it’s welcoming 4,000 international guests to a gala dinner, contracting the premiere of Porsche’s first fully electric vehicle with a private concert, fireworks and drone show, or enhancing the guest experience at one of Niagara’s finest wineries.
“I love the combination of creativity, strategy and relationship-building, and the fact that you get to see an idea go from a conversation or concept to something that guests actually experience,” she said.
Dietrich recalled enrolling in Event Management to purse her interest in entering the field after completing her university degree, which proved to be “the perfect fit”
“My experience at Niagara College was incredibly valuable because it gave me both a practical understanding of the industry and the opportunity to explore the different career paths within it,” said Dietrich. “The program helped me build relationships with industry professionals and make connections that ultimately led to my first job after graduation. The combination of education, practical experience and industry connections gave me a really strong start for my career.”
Eric McLoughlin, Tourism Product Development Specialist in Sport Tourism for Tourism Hamilton, also valued the experience he gained in the program.
“Graduating from Niagara College’s Event Management program was one of the most important milestones in my career,” said McLoughlin. “The faculty challenged us, supported us, and ensured we graduated with practical skills and experience that translated directly into the workforce.”
Learn more
Applications are open for the next intake.
Those interested in pursuing careers in event planning, corporate conferences, meetings, festivals and experiential marketing are encouraged to review admission requirements on NC’s Event Management program page.
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