Vancouver Island University

Event Management Certificate

Develop skills for the exciting and growing industry of special events. Event management skills are needed in a wide range of sectors: tourism, recreation, arts and culture, sports, fundraising, corporate marketing, non-profit organizations, and more. The program prepares graduates with the skills and knowledge needed to plan and manage festivals and events, with an emphasis on the tourism and recreation sector. It provides an opportunity to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to work in event management, as well as providing professional development and credentialing for those already working in this field. The program was developed jointly by Vancouver Island University and Thompson Rivers University, and is offered completely online.

Wine Business Certificate

The purpose of the program is to provide recognition for students who complete a series of courses related to the wine industry, the process of wine making, wine appreciation (product knowledge), wine marketing, wine tourism and other knowledge related to the business of wine. The certificate will help graduates find employment in some aspect of the wine business, which could be a vineyard, a winery, a wholesaler, a retailer, a food service establishment or a special event planner. Although this is a stand–alone certificate, the courses may also be taken as credit courses toward a degree or diploma. The certificate may also be taken concurrently with a diploma or degree.

The core themes of the Centre at VIU include:

Sustainability: Questioning the relationship between leisure and sustainability, determining the level of sustainability of the leisure industry and inviting and monitoring new models and approaches to enhance sustainability.

Innovation: Rethinking the systems and structures that have evolved across the globe, creating a culture of innovation where new ideas emerge and flourish, and measuring the impact of innovation on sustainability efforts.

The work of the Centre at VIU includes:

• Creation of a network of scholars from academic, government, non-government and community to form a community of practice that engages in dialogue on sustainability and innovation in leisure;
• Collaborative scholarship on sustainability and innovation in leisure including research projects, learning abroad opportunities, and interactive media;
• Delivery of a Master’s degree in Sustainable Leisure Management at Vancouver Island University where emerging scholars learn about the core thematic areas of the Centre while engaging in dialogue with partners within the network.