Participant Testimonials

Tom Sayre
Executive Director
Puget Creek Restoration Society
Tacoma, WA

The UO Festivals & Events Management Program provided me with the tools and knowledge that made it possible for me to take my career to the next level. The workshops were very informative and I always felt that I went away with solid ideas that would directly apply to the events that I produced. The workshop presenters and guest speakers were incredibly insightful, approachable and always willing to help.

Receiving the certificate helped to validate me as an events professional, evident from the comments I received from prospective employers. I would strongly recommend this program to anyone involved with the events and/or festivals profession and would like to thank the instructors and staff that made this program available. Nice job!

Candy Layman
Events Coordinator
Centralia College

Last summer I decided that I needed to do something to get the creative juices flowing and looked for some classes on event management. This is when I happened upon the University of Oregon Festival and Event Management program. At that time I had professional development funds available to me and signed up for two of the workshops. I had no idea that I would be getting my certificate for this program within the academic year and attending far more than the two original workshops.

The added experience I received from attending the workshops and completing my practicum and project are invaluable. I believe that my objectives were met and will continue to be utilized in my events management here at Centralia College.

I have enjoyed this entire process and am thankful for the opportunities it has given me. I have not only gained my Certificate in Festival and Event Management as well as graduate credits in event planning but have also been able to learn from and interact with others in my field. That education is invaluable!

The staff has been most helpful! Gaylene has been wonderful to work with and always just an email or phone call away. She has made this journey much smoother for me. I thank you all!

Jan Taylor
Special Events and Marketing Coordinator
City of Albany Parks & Recreation Department

When I enrolled in the University of Oregon Festival & Event Management Program, I immediately had the support of the program administrators. The classes were informative and directly related to my profession and current position. I have enjoyed the instructors relating personal experiences and challenges in special events that will enable me not to make the same mistakes.

Heather Baugus
Executive Director
Memphis Chapter of the American Institute of Architects
Memphis, TN

Since graduating from this program I have run small and large scale events for clients, and developed a city wide, month long event under my current position. The greatest skills you can take into events management can either be gained over a lifetime, or acquired through the structured, fun and exploratory environment of this program.

Lila Gottman
Chairman
General Canby Days Board
Canby, OR

Going through this program has been a tremendous experience. I have learned so much in such a short amount of time. It is amazing how much I have taken for granted over the past few years as Chairman of the Committee. In the last few months we have formed a corporation, appointed a Board of Directors and started the non-profit process. The City of Canby just passed a Resolution setting up an interagency agreement with our Board for the funding and production of General Canby Days. This has all happened smoothly and efficiently mostly because of the knowledge I have learned from the program.

Carol Cohen
Recreation Manager
City of Sandy, OR

One of my passions is the creation of special events for my community. That is the main reason I went through the Festival & Event Management Certificate Program. Through the slate of workshops I gained valuable knowledge on how to promote an event, create new events, improve on existing activities, work with volunteers, and recruit and recognize sponsors. The program has given me ideas on how to improve my existing events, and it sparked the creative process for developing new concepts. I recommend it to anyone who is currently involved or intends to begin working with special events or festivals.

Candy Layman receiving her Festival & Event Management certificate of completion from Sandra Gladney.

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