Municipal Event Management

This workshop is the first of five workshops leading to a certificate of completion in Municipal Event Management. It was initiated by the Creative City Network of Canada’s Canadian Municipal Events Alliance. The workshop introduces participants to Municipal Event Advisory Committees (MEACs), also commonly known as Special Event Advisory Committees (SEAT/SETs), emphasizing their strategic role in supporting municipal event planning and permitting processes.

Participants will explore the role MEACs play in facilitating interdepartmental collaboration, enhancing event oversight, and aligning events with municipal priorities. Designed to support both those working with MEACs and those without, the session covers key concepts such as member roles and responsibilities, terms of reference, and decision-making authority.

The workshop also provides practical tools for managing committee workflows, supporting event permitting and reporting processes, and developing municipal guides and resources that promote consistency and continuous improvement.

Description: 
This workshop introduces participants to the core principles and practices of event management, exploring how public sector priorities shape the foundations of event planning and delivery. Topics include event design, coordination, budgeting, risk management, and event evaluation, all examined through the lens of municipal operations. Participants will analyze how municipal goals, policies, and processes influence the planning of festivals, celebrations, and community events. Emphasis will be placed on real-world considerations such as partner engagement, political influence, and regulatory compliance. Participants will work collaboratively on case studies that simulate municipal event scenarios.

Description: 
This workshop introduces students to the policies, structures, and processes that shape the municipal environment. Students will explore how municipal government structure, including the roles of heads of Council, elected officials and staff, informs event-related decision-making, accountability, and operational authority. Participants will identify and evaluate the difference between municipal policies, procedures, and by-laws, and explore related administrative and implementation processes. Emphasis will be placed on understanding how to successfully fulfill municipal organizational procedures, including Council reporting procedures and annual budgeting processes in relation to planning and supporting events. 

Description: 
This workshop introduces students to the strategies, processes, and tools used to permit third-party events on municipal property. Participants will explore how municipal objectives, organizational roles, and interdepartmental collaboration influence permitting decisions and support models. Students will examine the full permitting lifecycle, including application intake, review and approval processes, enforcement, and the use of standard templates, fee structures, and compliance tools. Emphasis will be placed on aligning third-party event permitting with municipal policies, risk management frameworks, and legislative requirements. Students will also assess innovative support systems, resource tracking practices, and the evolving role of municipalities in enabling safe, successful community events

Description: 
This workshop introduces participants to the principles and practices of developing municipal event strategies and policies. Participants will explore how municipal strategic planning and policy frameworks guide event-related decision-making, resource allocation, and operational consistency. The workshop examines the full policy development cycle through the lens of municipal event management, from issue identification and partner consultation to implementation, enforcement, and evaluation. Emphasis will be placed on aligning event strategies with municipal priorities, evaluating new and existing event programs, and supporting event resourcing through structured governance.