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Refreshments at an event.

Event Sustainability Management Minor

Format: Hybrid Credits: 21

Meetings and events have a great impact on emissions from such travel necessities as single-use plastics, transportation, food and beverage, and hotel/venue energy expenditures. Due to the size of the meeting and event industry, it is vital that professionals have a strong understanding of and the ability to implement environmental and sustainability practices.

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Program Overview

The event sustainability management minor will prepare you to gain a wider understanding of the role sustainability principles and practices play when planning, conducting, and evaluating events. The minor is geared toward for-profit and not-for-profit event providers. An important component of this certificate is working with actual events.

The program is available to currently enrolled degree-seeking GVSU students.

Why Study Event Sustainability Management at Grand Valley?

  • Learn how to integrate scientific, economic, political, and sociocultural perspectives on topics in environmental and sustainability studies and how to apply these skills to event operations.
  • Understand the role sustainability principles and practices play when planning, conducting and evaluating events.
  • Gain basic career training and experience in performance, professionalism, and work relations via internships and fieldwork.
  • Obtain a sustainability specialty within the event and tourism industry.
  • Create stackable credentials that enhance your degree and bolster your resume.

Location & Format

Classes for the program are a combination of online and in-seat on the Allendale Campus.

Format:

Coursework

The minor is comprised of a total of 21 credits:

  • ENS 201 - Introduction to Environmental and Sustainability Studies
  • ENS 300 - Principles of Sustainability
  • HTM 240 - Introduction to Meeting and Event Management
  • HTM 340 - Event Sustainability
  • HTM 360 - Corporate Social Responsibility in the Tourism Industry
  • HTM 313 - Farm to Fork - Sustainability in Food Service Cuisine OR
  • HTM 190 - Field Preparation AND
  • HTM 290 - Field Experience

And one of the following:

  • SPM 376 - Sport Facility and Event Management
  • HTM 333 - Hospitality Facilities Management
  • HTM 368 - Geotourism
Visit the online catalog for courses and program details.

Career Options

This curriculum is for those who aspire to work in the events and tourism industry. You will find careers working in:

  • Meeting and event mangement
  • Catering mangement
  • Conference center management
  • Sales and service
  • Festival management
  • Special events management
  • Venue management
  • Food and beverage management
  • Hotels and resorts

Helpful Links

For More Information

Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management

Kristen Jack, Ph.D., CHA, CTA, Program Director
401 W. Fulton St.
286C Richard M. DeVos Center
[email protected]
(616) 331-3167

Admissions and Recruitment Office

gvsu.edu/admissions