Media Contact: Kent Gustafson, 612-625-8274;
Catherine Dehdashti, U of M Extension Service, (612) 625-0237, ced@umn.edu

Earn a certificate from U of M Tourism Center

St. Paul, Minn. (1/28/2008) — Community fairs and festivals mean fun, food, and fireworks. Ever wonder what makes them successful? Recent participants in the Festival and Event Management program at the University of Minnesota know.

More than 20 event organizers recently earned certificates in Festival and Event Management at the University of Minnesota Tourism Center. The new graduates join a total of 250 other event organizers who have obtained the Certificate in Festival and Event Management in the past 15 years. Awardees completed 40 hours of class requirements as well as submitted a written event analysis. Beyond those obtaining certificates, 700 others have participated in the program.

More than 20 percent of the 41 million people who visited Minnesota between June 2005 and May 2006 attended a fair or festival. As Minnesota tourism generates $11.786 billion dollars in gross receipts/sales and employs 286,000 people, the contributions of festivals and events is important. The Festival and Event Management Program provides event organizers and volunteers an opportunity to increase their management skills in a variety of areas of event management, including leadership, risk and liability, marketing and sponsorship. The program is offered annually at the University of Minnesota as well as online. Program participants reveal they are more confident and motivated to become greater involved in events management after participating in the program and that their specific skills as event managers increase.

Festival and Event Management is one of several programs offered by the University’s Tourism Center. The Tourism Center is a collaboration between University of Minnesota Extension and College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences. The Center prepares and supports the tourism industry for success and sustainability through education, research and engagement.

Further information is available online: www.tourism.umn.edu or directly by contacting Kent Gustafson at kgustaf@umn.edu or 612-625-8274.

Source: Kent Gustafson is a professor of tourism with University of Minnesota Extension.

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URL: http:// www.extension.umn.edu/extensionnews/2008/eventmgmt.html This page was updated Jan. 28, 2008 .
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