San José State University
Department of Hospitality Management
HSPM 130 Hospitality Event Production
Fall 2015
Instructor:
Jeff Milde
Office Location:
SSC 537 **Will be moving in Sept/Oct
Telephone:
TBD
Email:
jeff.milde@sjsu.edu
**Preferred Communication Method
Office Hours:
Monday, 4:45 to 5:45 pm.
Class Days/Time:
Monday, 6:00 pm to 8:45 pm
Classroom:
MacQuarrie Hall (MQH) 520
Course Website and Messaging
Copies of the course materials such as the syllabus, major assignment handouts, etc.
may be found on the course website at https://sjsu.instructure.com Assignments will be
submitted through the designated assignment dropboxes on this site unless otherwise
specified. You are responsible for regularly checking the course website for messages
and course information.
Course Description
An analysis of details pertinent to the planning and execution of a hospitality event.
Topics include strategic planning, event project management, event technology, financial
management, human resources, event design, event marketing, and on-site
management.
Through lecture, discussion, reading, guest speakers and group activities, students will
learn the function and importance of event production as it relates to the hospitality,
meeting planning and tourism industry.
HSPM 130, Fall 2015
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Course Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
1. Understand and demonstrate elements of event production and how it
relates to the hospitality and tourism industry.**
2. Develop effective communication skills through classroom presentations.
3. Develop critical thinking skills through event evaluation.
4. Describe the professional functions and core competencies of an event
planner/manger.**
5. Describe elements that contribute to successful events.
6. Use a project management tool to manage and control the progress of an
event.
7. Develop leadership skills through event planning in a group situation.**
**Denotes Program Leaning Outcomes for the Hospitality, Tourism and Event
Management Department
Required Texts/Readings
Textbook
Goldblatt, J. (2014). Special Events, Creating and Sustaining a New World
for Celebration, 7th ed. New York, NY: Wiley. (ISBN: 978-1-118-62677-1)
Recommended Reading
Disney Institute & Kinni, T. (2011). Be Our Guest, Perfecting the Art of
Customer Service. Revised and Updated Edition. New York, NY: Disney
Edition. (ISBN: 978-1423145844) (Disney)
MPI’s Planning Guide: A Source for Meeting and Conventions, 2 nd ed.,
Dallas, TX: MPI Foundation. (ISBN: 0-982009-0-7). This book is out of
print. You may order it from MPI, www.mpiweb.org, or www.amazon.com
for used copy.
Other Readings
The APEX Event Specifications Guide Template published by the Convention
Industry Council.
Certified Meeting Planner International Standards published by the Convention
Industry Council, www.conventionindustry.org.
HSPM 130, Fall 2015
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Library Liaison
Christina Mune
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library
San Jose State University, Office
Phone: 408-808-2046,
E-mail: christina.mune@sjsu.edu.
Helpful electronic resource: URL: http://libguides.sjsu.edu/hospitality.
Assignments and Grading Policy
Assignments, 15%
There will be one group and two individual assignments. Each group will
give a presentation on a chapter from the textbook. Each student will
conduct an individual interview with an industry professional and evaluate
an event of their choosing. During the course of the semester there may
be in-class pop assignments.
Quizzes, 20%
There are 11 scheduled quizzes. Quizzes will be based on reading,
handouts, guest speakers and in-class discussion. No makeup quiz will
be given.
Participation, 20%
Participation in this course is expected. Evaluation of participation will be
based on participation in class discussions and exercises, completion of
reading assignments, review questions, and discussion questions.
Event Plan (20%) and Presentation (10%)
Students in groups of approximately six or seven will develop a
comprehensive plan for an event with at least 300 attendees to take place
in 2016/17. You will use the APEX event planning template to develop the
event plan. Each group will prepare a written event plan and deliver a 30minute presentation.
Final Examination, 15%
The format may be true/false, multiple choice, short answer, or problems.
The instructor will not administer make-up examinations unless there is an
acceptable excuse. If you know that you will not be able to take an exam
during its scheduled time, please inform the instructor and make
appropriate arrangement.
Extra Credit
Opportunities for extra credit may be given throughout the semester on
quizzes, tests or in-class opportunities.
HSPM 130, Fall 2015
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Late Assignment
There is a 10 point penalty for any late assignment.
Grading Method
Grades will be given using the 1,000 point scale method. The weight of
each grading category will be:
Category
Assignments
Quizzes
Participation
Event Plan
Final Examination
Percentage
15%
20%
20%
30%
15%
Total Points
150
200
200
300
150
Final total point range, percentage and letter grade:
Point Range.
960 to 1,000.
930 to 959.
900 to 929.
860 to 899.
830 to 859.
800 to 829.
760 to 799.
730 to 759.
700 to 729.
660 to 699.
630 to 659.
600 to 629.
Percentage.
96 to 100.
93 to 95.
90 to 92.
86 to 89.
83 to 85.
80 to 82.
76 to 79.
73 to 75.
70 to 72.
66 to 69.
63 to 65.
60 to 62.
Grade.
A plus.
A.
A minus.
B plus.
B.
B minus.
C plus.
C.
C minus.
D plus.
D.
D minus.
Classroom Protocol
1. Students are expected to attend class regularly, arrive promptly, have
completed the required readings for the session before coming to class,
and participate thoughtfully in all in-class activities.
2. Cell phones should be silenced or turned off and stowed during class.
3. Lecture notes and/or PowerPoint slides are available on Canvas. Class
materials should be downloaded from the course website and brought to
class either as a hard copy or on your laptop.
4. Laptops/tablets are permitted in the class for class-related purposes only.
5. Any time anyone is presenting, please be respectful and put laptops and
tablets away.
Please make a sincere attempt to arrive on time. If you arrive late, please enter
the classroom quietly. It is difficult to educate fellow classmates with constant
interruptions at the door. If you miss a class, given the size of this class, it is your
responsibility to catch up. This class requires a lot of exercises and homework.
HSPM 130, Fall 2015
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University Policies
General Expectations, Rights and Responsibilities of the Student
As members of the academic community, students accept both the rights and
responsibilities incumbent upon all members of the institution. Students are
encouraged to familiarize themselves with SJSU’s policies and practices
pertaining to the procedures to follow if and when questions or concerns about a
class arises. See University Policy S90–5 at
http://www.sjsu.edu/senate/docs/S90-5.pdf. More detailed information on a
variety of related topics is available in the SJSU catalog, at
http://info.sjsu.edu/web-dbgen/narr/catalog/rec-12234.12506.html. In general, it is
recommended that students begin by seeking clarification or discussing concerns
with their instructor. If such conversation is not possible, or if it does not serve to
address the issue, it is recommended that the student contact the Department
Chair as a next step.
Dropping and Adding
Students are responsible for understanding the policies and procedures about
add/drop, grade forgiveness, etc. Refer to the current semester’s Catalog Policies
section at http://info.sjsu.edu/static/catalog/policies.html. Add/drop deadlines can
be found on the current academic year calendars document on the Academic
Calendars webpage at http://www.sjsu.edu/provost/services/academic_calendars/.
The Late Drop Policy is available at
http://www.sjsu.edu/aars/policies/latedrops/policy/. Students should be aware of
the current deadlines and penalties for dropping classes.
Information about the latest changes and news is available at the Advising Hub
at http://www.sjsu.edu/advising/.
Consent for Recording of Class and Public Sharing of Instructor Material
University Policy S12-7, http://www.sjsu.edu/senate/docs/S12-7.pdf, requires
students to obtain instructor’s permission to record the course and the following
items to be included in the syllabus:

“Common courtesy and professional behavior dictate that you notify
someone when you are recording him/her. You must obtain the
instructor’s permission to make audio or video recordings in this class.
Such permission allows the recordings to be used for your private, study
purposes only. The recordings are the intellectual property of the instructor;
you have not been given any rights to reproduce or distribute the material.”
o It is suggested that the greensheet include the instructor’s process
for granting permission, whether in writing or orally and whether for
the whole semester or on a class by class basis.
o In classes where active participation of students or guests may be
on the recording, permission of those students or guests should be
obtained as well.
HSPM 130, Fall 2015
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
“Course material developed by the instructor is the intellectual property of
the instructor and cannot be shared publicly without his/her approval. You
may not publicly share or upload instructor generated material for this
course such as exam questions, lecture notes, or homework solutions
without instructor consent.”
Academic integrity
Your commitment, as a student, to learning is evidenced by your enrollment at
San Jose State University. The University Academic Integrity Policy S07-2 at
http://www.sjsu.edu/senate/docs/S07-2.pdf requires you to be honest in all your
academic course work. Faculty members are required to report all infractions to
the office of Student Conduct and Ethical Development. The Student Conduct
and Ethical Development website is available at
http://www.sjsu.edu/studentconduct/.
Campus Policy in Compliance with the American Disabilities Act
If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, or if
you need to make special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated,
please make an appointment with me as soon as possible, or see me during
office hours. Presidential Directive 97-03 at
http://www.sjsu.edu/president/docs/directives/PD_1997-03.pdf requires that
students with disabilities requesting accommodations must register with the
Accessible Education Center (AEC) at http://www.sjsu.edu/aec to establish a
record of their disability.
Accommodation to Students' Religious Holidays
San José State University shall provide accommodation on any graded class
work or activities for students wishing to observe religious holidays when such
observances require students to be absent from class. It is the responsibility of
the student to inform the instructor, in writing, about such holidays before the add
deadline at the start of each semester. If such holidays occur before the add
deadline, the student must notify the instructor, in writing, at least three days
before the date that he/she will be absent. It is the responsibility of the instructor
to make every reasonable effort to honor the student request without penalty,
and of the student to make up the work missed. See University Policy S14-7 at
http://www.sjsu.edu/senate/docs/S14-7.pdf.
HSPM 130, Fall 2015
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Tentative Course Calendar
Fall 2015
Subject to Change with fair notice
Week
Date
Topics, Readings, Assignments, Deadlines
1
August 24
Instructor Out of Town
Check-in
Distribute Add Numbers
2
August 31
Instructor Introduction
Course introduction and expectations
Events Business Overview
- Industry Statistics and Importance of the event planning
industry
- Areas (categories) within the events industry
- The role of a meeting planner
Review Course Assignments and Final Presentation
Due: Pick Teams and Pick Chapter to Review
Project Planning:
- Discuss Type of Final Event
Next Week Read: Goldblatt: Chapter 2, p. 43-76
3
September 7
Labor Day – No Class Meeting
4
September 14
Using research components for meeting objectives
The Importance of Pre-planning research and the components
Quiz: Chapter 2 and Week 2 Discussion and Handouts
Team Chapter Review
Project Planning:
- Discuss research components for your event plan
- Create an outline for research discovery
- Discuss and create a stakeholder analysis
Next Week Read: Goldblatt: Chapter 3, p. 77-114
5
September 21
Event program development
- Site/venue selection
- Event technology
- Staffing needs – Human Resource Planning
Quiz: Chapter 3 Quiz and Week 4 Discussion and Handouts
Team Chapter Review
Project Planning:
- Event Description and Stakeholder Analysis is Due
- Share research discovery
- Create a project timeline for event plan
- Create outline for Business and marketing plan
Next Week Read: Goldblatt: Chapter 4, p.115 – 138
HSPM 130, Fall 2015
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Week
Date
Topics, Readings, Assignments, Deadlines
6
September 28
Financial management
- Event funding and financial resources
- Manage budget
- Manage monetary transaction
Quiz: Chapter 4 and Week 5 Discussion and Handouts
Team Chapter Review
Project Planning:
- Review timeline and outline for business and marketing
plan
- Create initial budget for event plan
Next Week Read: Goldblatt: Chapter 5, p. 139 - 170
7
October 5
Event Management Plan
- Plan event project, work breakdown structure,
- Manage event project and scheduling
- Choosing the right vendors
Quiz: Chapter 5 and Week 6 Discussion and Handouts
Team Chapter Review
Project Planning:
- Review budget outline and numbers
- Identify your vendors and create production schedule
Next Week Read: Goldblatt: Chapter 6, p. 190-214
8
October 12
Creating an Integrated event marketing plan
- Manage marketing plan - components
- Manage marketing materials – content, delivery
- Manage event merchandise
Event promotion
- Social media and event promotion
- Event public relations
Quiz: Chapter 6 and Week 7 Discussion and Handouts
Team Chapter Review
Project Planning:
- Review vendor selection and production schedules
- Create a marketing plan for your team event
Next Week Read: Goldblatt: Chapter 7, p. 217 - 258
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Week
Date
Topics, Readings, Assignments, Deadlines
9
October 19
Risk Management
- Legal
- Human resources
- Insurance liabilities
- Policies and procedures
- Safety planning
Quiz: Chapter 7 and Week 8 Discussion and Handouts
Team Chapter Review
Project Planning:
- Review project timeline
- Create safety plan and identify any risks associated with
your event
Next Week Read: Goldblatt: Chapter 8, p. 259-294
10
October 26
Instructor Out of Town
Selecting Vendors and vendor management
- Creating a relevant RFP
- In-depth review of an RFP and elements
- Services need for implementation
Quiz: Chapter 8 and Week 9 Discussion and Handouts
Team Chapter Review
Project Planning:
- Present marketing plan
- Create your vendor RFP’s with relevant specs
Next Week Read: Goldblatt: Chapter 6, p. 171-179
11
November 2
Contracts
- Business terms
- Legal terms and conditions
- Types of contracts – hotel, catering, venue
- Mock negotiations
Quiz: Chapter 6 and Week 10 Discussion and Handouts
Team Chapter Review
Project Planning:
- Review Safety plans and identify risks
- Review initial vendor RFP’s
Next Week Read: Goldblatt: Chapter 6, p. 179-189
12
November 9
Design Creative and layout
- Signage - Types
- Creative Briefs
- Floorplans
Quiz: Chapter 6 and Week 11 Discussion and Handouts
Team Chapter Review
Project Planning:
- Layout your event
- Create signage grid
- Any further RFP response
HSPM 130, Fall 2015
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Week
Date
Topics, Readings, Assignments, Deadlines
13
November 16
Food and Beverage
- Food and Beverage calculations
- restaurant vs. Hotels vs. Convention centers
- Catering companies
Quiz: Week 12 and Week 12 Discussion and Handouts
Project Planning:
- Review layouts your event
- Create F&B plan if your team has that element
14
November 23
Quiz: Week 13 and Week 13 Discussion and Handouts
Project Planning:
Project review night – Review elements, production
documentation
- Signage grid due
- Food and beverage (F&B) Review
Due: Last Day to Turn in Industry Interview
Due: Last Day to Turn in Event Evaluation
15
November 30
Talk final exam – Cover materials for the final test
Project Planning:
Team Presentations
- Team 1
- Team 2
- Team 3
- Team 4
16
December 7
Last Day of Instruction
Project Planning:
Team Presentations
- Team 5
- Team 6
- Team 7
- Team 8
17
December 14
CLASS TIME: 17:15 - 1930
- Final Exam
- All final, revised event plans due
- Turn in any missing work
HSPM 130, Fall 2015
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