Foundations of Municipal Event Planning

This masterclass introduces the foundational principles and practices of municipal event management, with a focus on how public sector priorities shape the planning, design, coordination, and evaluation of events. Participants will explore how municipal goals, policies, and operational requirements influence the delivery of festivals, celebrations, and community events. Grounded in real municipal contexts, the course examines key areas including event design, budgeting, risk management, stakeholder engagement, regulatory compliance, and event evaluation. Participants will also explore how political and community considerations impact decision-making across the event lifecycle. Designed for professionals working in or alongside municipal environments, this workshop blends established event management frameworks with practical public sector application, including the five phases of event management and core project management body of knowledge (PMBOK) principles. Participants will engage with tools such as project charters, work breakdown structures, and scheduling methods to support more structured and consistent event planning. By the end of the workshop, participants will have a clearer understanding of how to align events with municipal priorities, apply practical project management tools, and interpret the complexities of delivering safe, compliant, and community-focused municipal events. Course Format: This course is delivered through a flexible cohort model that combines self-guided online learning with the opportunity for live peer engagement. Learners can register at any time before the course end date and will have 30 days from their registration date to complete the course materials.  The course includes one optional live virtual connection session. While attendance is not required, this facilitated session is highly recommended to connect with municipal event professionals from across Canada, discuss common challenges, share experiences, and reinforce key course concepts.  Learning is supported through interactive knowledge-testing activities embedded throughout the course modules. There is no final exam or culminating evaluation. To successfully complete the course, learners must achieve a minimum score of 75% on each knowledge-testing activity. Unlimited attempts are provided, allowing participants to revisit the material and demonstrate mastery at their own pace.