The Future of Event Planning

When COVID-19 hit Switzerland in March 2020, it brought with it numerous, unprecedented challenges – forcing us to shut our doors and quickly move all learning online.

For modules like Events Management, the need for social distancing and online learning seemed directly at odds with the task at hand. How could students learn to build an event from behind a screen in an field as tactile and interpersonal as event planning?

Lecturer, Erik Pravica, had to quickly find a solution that would allow students to continue their learning as effectively and meaningfully as their in-class activities. Enter, 3D Event Designer.

This innovative online simulation program has allowed hospitality and culinary arts students to continue creating and planning events throughout the pandemic. 

“When live events weren’t possible, this program allowed students to exercise their creativity while holding the same standards and learning outcomes as our in-class activities,” says Mr. Pravica. Through the program, students simulated all the aspects of planning an event of their choice – from maximizing the event space, to catering considerations, even down to creating table layouts.

Students embraced this new way of learning with great interest and passion.

“The table wizard component allowed students to be very clear and detailed in planning the table set up. Students had to determine every aspect from size, shape, linen choice, even down to the placement of flatware,” Mr. Pravica continued.

Students embraced this new way of learning with great interest and passion, producing some amazing ideas in the process. Many of the students went above and beyond, producing very detailed and creative designs and extras. 

The second simulation students had to complete was to design and present a 3D tour of a presidential hotel suite of their own creation. Not only did students have to consider all the guidelines and specifications required, but the project culminated in a simulated sales presentation in which they had to practice pitching their design to a hotel owner.

These innovative programs help to teach students how to sell events to customers as well as develop their digital and video skills.

While life and learning are slowly returning to normal at César Ritz Colleges Switzerland, Pravica isn’t planning to go back to how things were before the pandemic. Instead, he plans to continue using these simulation programs as part of his curriculum, as he sees great value in it for students for the future. 

“These innovative programs help to teach students how to sell events to customers as well as develop their digital and video skills, which are much-needed in the industry,” says Mr. Pravika. 

 

Learn more about our bachelor’s program and how it can prepare you for a career in hospitality. 

Interested in how event planning can be more sustainable? Read how the Sustainable Event Management module at Swiss Hotel Management School is equipping students to positively influence their workplaces’ practices.