Mastering the art of event management

Nicolas Escobedo might be the last person anyone would expect to go back to school to earn a master’s degree. Only a year from earning his bachelor’s degree, he already has a dream job managing a Michelin-starred restaurant.

Still, Escobedo was one of the first to enroll in Metropolitan State University of Denver’s new online Master of Science in Event and Experience Management program, which launches this fall.

“One of the things that I always encourage my team to do is to be continually learning,” Escobedo said. So, when program director Kiyan Shafieizadeh, PhD., encouraged him to participate, the MSU Denver alumnus didn’t hesitate.

“I want to grow my career and learn more things, gain more assets and tools that I can use throughout my career,” he said.

The new degree is designed to help people who already work organizing events and experiences but would like to take on a stronger leadership role in shaping their overall strategy and design.

“Delivering a successful event or experience is much harder than it looks,” said Shafieizadeh, graduate program director at Metropolitan State University of Denver’s School of Hospitality. “It requires excellence both behind the scenes and in front of the guests — and maintaining that delicate balance is at the core of our curriculum.”

That’s why the master’s degree will focus on key elements such as financial decision-making, contracts, risk management and marketing strategy. “By teaching students about every aspect of event strategy and design, we’ll give them the confidence and skills to take control of full event lifecycles and high-level decisions,” he said.

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Successful event and experience managers have strong organizational abilities and are good at thinking on their feet and solving problems. But there’s even more to the job than that.

“The most effective professionals are the ones who can balance analytical thinking with a creative flair,” Shafieizadeh said. “That’s so important, because today’s events aren’t just about logistics — they’re also about creating meaningful and memorable experiences for the client.”

People with experience in fields such as business, marketing, project management or communications can easily transition into the new degree program, he said. “In fact, our curriculum is especially designed to bridge any learning gaps for students from other professional backgrounds.”

According to Shafieizadeh, what sets MSU Denver’s master’s degree apart is a strong emphasis on providing hands-on learning in realistic settings, thanks to a combination of internships and collaborations with industry partners.

“Getting to do this kind of hands-on work is ideal preparation for a successful career,” he said. “It will ensure that our graduates are not only technically competent but also capable of creating engaging, guest-centered experiences that stand out in today’s competitive market.”

Student Kaitlyn Nyazi, who will graduate from MSU Denver with a Hospitality Leadership degree this year, dreams of opening her own aesthetics business. She can clearly see how the new master’s degree could offer a significant boost to her career.

“It could teach me a lot about planning events, managing teams, marketing my services and creating great experiences for clients,” she said.

As she contemplates stepping into a competitive small business environment, Nyazi keenly appreciates the importance of being prepared for every challenge.

“By giving me more confidence and an in-depth knowledge of the fundamentals, the master’s degree should help me stand out when I start my own business — or even while I’m initially just looking for jobs,” she said.

“The event management industry is growing rapidly and there’s strong demand out there for skilled professionals,” Shafieizadeh said. “What’s more, the employment rate in this sector is projected to grow at faster than average rates, with thousands of new job openings each year.”

Event and experience management also offers a special perk that few other careers can match — a diverse range of specialist career paths in diverse arenas, including the corporate world, sporting events, festivals, tourism, music and entertainment.

All of which is apparent to Escobedo. So much so that he’s willing, excited even, to embark on the degree while still working full time. “I’m young, I’ve got the energy, and this is going to benefit me exponentially in the future, so why not do it now?”

That’s the kind of outlook and enthusiasm that draws people to the hospitality industry. “This is a unique profession where personal creativity, business strategy and human connection come together in all kinds of wonderful ways,” Shafieizadeh said.

“Few other careers can offer such strong professional prospects coupled with a dizzying range of potential specialist paths, and all set within a dynamic industry that is constantly evolving,” he added. “It’s a winner on every level.”