Event Management Training-Planning Your Vision

The free Event Management Training course is designed by Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. (DGRI) and the City of Grand Rapids Office of Special Events (OSE) to provide event producers with the knowledge and tools necessary to help move their event from concept to reality. This opportunity is free and open to the public, specifically event organizers, volunteers and staff.

The three hour course --Planning Your Vision -- provides practical advice from seasoned professionals concerning:

-- valuing your event

--creating pitch decks

-- finding funding for your event

-- promoting and evaluating your event

-- volunteer recruitment/management

-- contingency planning

The course also provides the opportunity to meet and speak with the City’s Special Events Supervisor and DGRI Event Manager.

Complimentary water and coffee will be available. Please feel free to bring your own sack supper or snacks.

DGRI will provide complimentary parking in the parking ramp located across the street from their offices on the corner of Ionia Ave. and Pearl St. If you prefer to park at a parking meter (active until 7 pm), download the "MOTU" app to pay by credit card. View other parking options here. The free DASH bus hours on Thursday are 7 am to 12 am. Find out more at DASH the Downtown Area Shuttle (grandrapidsmi.gov).

Participants who attend both the April 30 (Planning Your Vision) and April 29 (Event Production on Public Property) training sessions, will receive a 25% site fee reduction on their first permitted event in the 2026 calendar year scheduled through the OSE, and a digital certificate of completion from DGRI and the OSE.

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Host or Publisher Kristen Aidif