Event Planning
How To Apply
Program Details
- Program Code1838
- Credential TypeOntario College Diploma
- SchoolSchool of Hospitality and Culinary Arts
- Program TypePost-secondary program
- Program Length2 years/ 4 semesters
- LocationProgress Campus
- Emailhospitality@centennialcollege.ca
- Telephone416-289-5000
- Technology Requirements
- PGWP AlignedNo
Program Availability
- Program Overview
- Courses
- Career Options and Education Pathways
- Admission Requirements
- How to Apply
- Tuition and Fees
- Technology Requirements
- Program Vocational Learning Outcomes
- Feast On®
- The Ocean Wise Program
- Advising
The Event Planning program will provide you with the skills and knowledge necessary for a rewarding career creating beautiful events and providing long-lasting memories for guests and clients. You'll be equipped to design, plan and execute diverse events, from corporate meetings and conferences to social functions such as weddings and community fundraisers. Event planning is increasingly playing a role in many organizations in a vast number of industries and sectors.
The Event Planning program will immerse you in all aspects of the event industry. Business courses in marketing, human resources and entrepreneurship will complement event courses in design, food and beverage and event operations, preparing you to be confident planning events in restaurants, hotels, resorts and convention centres.
This two-year hospitality diploma program will conclude with an experiential learning opportunity working alongside professional event planners and managers in a variety of industries and on-campus at Centennial College’s 20,000 sq. ft. Event Centre.
Program Overview
The Event Planning program will provide you with the skills and knowledge necessary for a rewarding career creating beautiful events and providing long-lasting memories for guests and clients. You'll be equipped to design, plan and execute diverse events, from corporate meetings and conferences to social functions such as weddings and community fundraisers. Event planning is increasingly playing a role in many organizations in a vast number of industries and sectors.
The Event Planning program will immerse you in all aspects of the event industry. Business courses in marketing, human resources and entrepreneurship will complement event courses in design, food and beverage and event operations, preparing you to be confident planning events in restaurants, hotels, resorts and convention centres.
This two-year hospitality diploma program will conclude with an experiential learning opportunity working alongside professional event planners and managers in a variety of industries and on-campus at Centennial College’s 20,000 sq. ft. Event Centre.
Courses
Career Options and Education Pathways
Program Highlights
This Event Planning program includes a range of exclusive experiential learning opportunities. Students learn from industry-selected faculty members who have years of experience. Students will have hands-on experience through networking opportunities and in their Work Integrated Learning field placement during their last semester. The program focuses on practical learning experiences that ensure learners are ready for the field upon graduation.
Career Outlook
- Catering and Event Coordinator
- Event Planner/Event Manager
- Meeting and Convention Planner
- Event Sales Coordinator
- Trade Show Organizer
- Fundraising Coordinator
- Live Events Specialist
- Media Event Planner
- Graduates may also explore starting their own business as an event planner or event vendor
Education Pathways
Graduates of this Event Planning diploma program have the opportunity to apply learning achieved at Centennial for credits toward further study at the degree level. Listed below are the degrees from partnering institutions that are available for this program.
Please note that each partner has minimum admission requirements to be met in order to qualify for transfer credits, which are assessed by the receiving partner institution.
| University | Degree |
|---|---|
| Algoma University | Bachelor or Honours Bachelor of Arts in multiple majors |
| Bachelor of Science in multiple majors | |
| George Brown Polytechnic College | Honours Bachelor of Business Administration in Hospitality |
| IMI International Management Institute Switzerland Ltd. | Bachelor of Arts with Honours in International Culinary Arts |
| Bachelor of Arts with Honours in International Hotel and Tourism Management | |
| Lakehead University | Bachelor or Honours Bachelor degree in any majors |
| Laurentian University | Bachelor or Honours Bachelor of Arts in multiple majors |
| Nipissing University | Bachelor or Honours Bachelor of Arts in multiple majors |
| Ontario Tech University | Honours Bachelor of Arts in Educational Studies |
| Ottawa, University of | Honours Bachelor of Commerce |
| Seneca Polytechnic | Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies |
| Royal Roads University | Bachelor of Arts in Global Tourism Management |
| Bachelor of Arts in International Hotel Management | |
| SHMS Swiss Hotel Management School | Honours Bachelor of Arts in International Hospitality and Events Management |
| Honours Bachelor of Arts in International Hospitality Management | |
| Vancouver Island University | Bachelor of Hospitality Management |
| York University | Bachelor or Honours Bachelor Degree in any major |
| Honours Bachelor of Science | |
| Honours Bachelor of Public Administration | |
| Bachelor or Honours Bachelor of Commerce |
Please visit our website at //centennial.adv-pub.moveonca.com/outgoing-home/ for more information on articulation agreements.
For pathways to other Ontario post-secondary institutions, please visit ONTransfer.
Admission Requirements
Academic Requirements
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), or equivalent, or mature student status (19 years or older)
- Grade 12 English (C or U), or equivalent (minimum grade required), or take the Centennial English Admission Test
Additional Requirements
How to Apply
1. Apply Online
Domestic Students
If you are applying through the Better Jobs Ontario Program, please work with an Employment Ontario service provider. For more information go to Better Jobs Ontario Program.
If you have previously attended a full-time program at Centennial College, you may be eligible for a Program Transfer. Visit Enrolment Services at any Campus for information.
All other applicants must apply online at Ontariocolleges.ca. A non-refundable application fee must accompany applications. The fee is payable online, by telephone, online banking, by mail, or in-person to Ontariocolleges.ca. For more information go to Ontariocolleges.ca Application Fees.
International Students
Apply directly to Centennial College here.
2. Submit Documents
Domestic Applicants
Current Ontario high school students and graduates from Ontario high schools: Notify your guidance counsellor that you have applied to college and your school will forward transcripts to Centennial College via Ontariocolleges.ca.
Graduates of college/university, or high school outside Ontario but within Canada: You are responsible for requesting that your educational institute sends any required documents and transcripts to Ontariocolleges.ca.
International Applicants
Please refer to the International Education Application Guide.
3. Confirm Your Offer of Admission
Offers of Admission are sent by mail to eligible applicants. When you receive your offer, you must login to your account at Ontariocolleges.ca and confirm before the Deadline to Confirm noted in your offer letter.
You may confirm only one college and one program offer at a time.
You must confirm your offer by the Deadline to Confirm noted in your Offer of Admission letter or your seat may be given to another applicant.
When you confirm your Offer of Admission at Centennial College you are given access to your personal myCentennial account where you can check your email, grades, register for courses, pay tuition fees, and see your class timetable.
4. Pay Fees
Centennial fees statements are sent by email to your personal email account and to your myCentennial email account. Fees statements are not mailed.
You must make a minimum payment by the Fees Deadline noted in your Fees Statement or your seat may be given to another applicant.
5. Build Your Timetable (Register for Courses)
Build your timetable (web-register for courses) at my.centennialcollege.ca.
Fall Registration begins mid-July
Winter Registration begins mid-December
Summer Registration begins mid-April
Your web-registration will not open if:
You have not submitted your minimum fee payment by the deadline
You received a Conditional Offer of Admission and you have not met the conditions of your offer.
Once you have paid your fees or have made appropriate arrangements, register for your courses online through myCentennial.
Tuition and Fees
Fees noted below are estimates only. Tuition is based on two semesters, beginning Fall 2026.
| Student | Tuition (2 Semesters) | Ancillary Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canadian | $2,775.00 | $1,873.42 | $4,648.42 |
| International | $18,005.00 | $2,385.07 | $20,390.07 |
Technology Requirements
Technology Requirements
Bring IT programs will require students to own and use a mobile computing device that meets or exceeds the recommended hardware requirements.
Note: If you require accommodation for a documented disability, please consider your adaptive technology needs when you select a device for your BringIT programs (click for recommendations). If you wish to access disability services, please make an appointment with the Centre for Accessible Learning and Counselling Services, by calling 416-289-5000, ext. 3850, or by email at calcs@centennialcollege.ca.
Have questions? Check out Frequently Asked Questions for our Bring IT Program.
Students from this program will require to own/purchase a device and software relevant to the program:
Minimum Recommended Specifications:
- Apple iPad (any model); 64GB storage
- Keyboard (preferred)
- Apple pencil (nice to have)
You will need regular access to a computer with an internet connection. High speed broadband access (LAN, Cable or DSL) with minimum 10mbps download speed is highly recommended. Some courses have more advanced system requirements.
Program Vocational Learning Outcomes
Program Vocational Learning Outcomes
Program Vocational Learning Outcomes describe what graduates of the program have demonstrated they can do with the knowledge and skills they have achieved during their studies. The outcomes are closely tied to the needs of the workplace. Through assessment (e.g., assignments and tests), students verify their ability to reliably perform these outcomes before graduating.
- Plan and design events to meet organizational and client objectives.
- Select food and beverage catering services, site location, and décor, according to the theme and needs of an event.
- 03. Develop marketing plans and related promotional plans for events that will meet the needs of the organization and/or client.
- 04. Coordinate and/or supervise staff, contractors and volunteers in order to achieve the desired performance.
- 05. Employ best practices for financial management in the planning of events.
- 06. Manage the business transactions of event projects to meet organization and/or client needs.
- 07. Develop strategies to mitigate risk and liability to ensure the safety and security of participants during an event.
- 08. Maintain ethical practices and professionalism in the events field to create positive relationships and experiences.
- 09. Apply strategies that support intercultural awareness and inclusion in event offerings that meet the needs of diverse populations.
- 10. Use industry standard technology platforms, systems, tools and applications to support the operations of events.
- 11. Secure monies through sponsorships, funds, or grants to support event objectives.
- 12. Engage in ongoing learning for professional and career growth.
- 13. Identify and respond to new career opportunities that may include contract work and entrepreneurship, to secure employment.
- 14. Communicate information persuasively and accurately in written, verbal and interactive formats.
- 15. Apply an entrepreneurial approach to all aspects of business planning and operations; engaging in coaching and innovation to strengthen resilience and response to risk.
The Ocean Wise Program
- Personality TestSTARTMatch your personality to a career
- Career ExplorerLEARN MOREExplore your future career
Dana Paglia, Event Planning, GraduateI never pictured myself in Event Planning. I read about Centennial College’s Special Event Planning program, which was still relatively new at the time. I decided to take the leap, and I was not disappointed.
Because the program is still new, I found there were a lot of professors interested in our feedback. My professors were extremely supportive and made me feel like I was more than a student number. After my two years at Centennial College, I was immediately hired into my industry via my co-op position. I was so grateful to have had the experience I did. My co-op position allowed me to expand my resume and opened doors in the professional industry that I never thought would be open to me.
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