Events Planning Course Starts in Temecula

By some accounts, tourism is Temecula’s biggest industry, and a new certificate program aims to help students break into it.

The Temecula campus of California State University, San Marcos is set to offer an events planning certificate program. The program will start in the spring semester.

The program, which started in 2004 in San Marcos, aims to teach students about the behind-the-scenes considerations involved in planning meetings and events, according to Sarah Villarreal, a spokesperson for the university.

To introduce the course, the university held an open house Wednesday that drew 23 people. Two instructors gave an overview of the curriculum.

The course includes six core classes, three “career perspectives” courses, which focus on specific types of events, and a special project. The cost is $1,390 for the entire program. Classes meet 5:45 p.m.-9:15 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays and 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturdays. The semester starts Feb. 7, according to the spokesperson.

For some locals, planning events, such as weddings and parties, is a dream job. “It’s something I’ve always loved doing,” said Porsche Poltl, 32, a Temecula resident who was at the open house. “In school, I loved doing projects hands-on. I’m hoping this is something for me.”

Events planners are in demand, and one recruiter was there to look for prospective employees. “We’re here to see if it’s a good area to recruit associates in the future,” said Carrie Fuller, 31, an events planner for Wiens Winery in Temecula.

The course was a big success in San Marcos, and more than 100 students graduated from the program, said Cathy Scavone, the director of the program.