Caspian Forms Partnership with San Diego State University

Caspian Forms Partnership with San Diego State University to Add 10 Essentials Course to the Master’s in Hospitality and Tourism Management Program

At a time when more people need to upskill for job security, stay on top of the event game and advance their future, Caspian’s online 10 Essentials course has been incorporated into the San Diego State University Master’s in Meeting and Event Management. The SDSU program was the first of its kind in the nation, and is the only Master’s program in the world partnered with Meeting Professionals International (MPI).

The Caspian 10 Essentials, created by Caspian Agency CEO, Heather Mason, is the only methodology for event professionals worldwide. The 10 step process provides a strategy-first, logistics-second approach for repeatable success in creating and producing convenings of all types towards maximum impact. Those who complete the Caspian 10 Essentials online course can receive up to 7.5 Continuing Education credits for Certified Meeting Professionals (CMP), a globally recognized badge of excellence in the event industry.

“From my first interactions with Heather, I knew she spoke with a strategic mindset, and was focused on innovation and leadership — characteristics which are essential for our Master’s curriculum content” said Jeff Campbell, Director of HTM Master’s Program of San Diego University.

“Our Master’s in Meeting and Event Management program is designed to deliver fundamental leadership learnings, real-world content, and strategic thinking that can help transform our students’ level of professional expertise. The Caspian 10 Essentials program and Heather’s highly personalized approach is the start to a great partnership.”

Mason starts with how producers can think about events - far before execution.

“Implementing a time-proven approach to strategic thinking to ensure success has always been the foundation of my business and allowed me to take my company global.”

“For over 15 years, Caspian Agency has utilized this methodology only with clients, but it is now our mission to share the Caspian 10 Essentials with all industry professionals. Consulting and producing events for the world-renowned organizations, from the Olympics to the Skoll Foundation, United Nations to Rockefeller Foundation and multiple Fortune 100 clients has reinforced my philosophy that strategy and logistics are truly interlinked. Through the 10 Essentials course industry professionals will have the tools to advance their career development and raise the event industry benchmark to strategy first.”

One SDSU student, who has been in the industry for over 20 years said “The 10 Essentials has literally changed my strategic thinking - after 20 years! In addition to the actual mindsets and tactical takeaways, the Essentials have greatly opened up my mind to think outside of the box, push the envelope.”

The online course delivers 10 individual sessions, starting with Success Metrics, Audience Mix and Content Mapping to set the foundational elements. Next the students tackle communication plans, branding and promotion along with high-level problem solving, project management and budgeting to equip them in all the areas of creating and producing an excellent event.