Diploma in Hospitality and Tourism Management, Specialization in Event Management

at Southern Alberta Institute of Technology Canada

Train for a career as a restaurant or hotel manager, special events coordinator or entrepreneur through courses in business management, food and beverage, human resources and marketing. Hospitality Management provides a unique educational experience with students learning and working in SAIT’s popular on-campus restaurant.

The Hospitality Management program at SAIT is known worldwide for its innovative curriculum and real-world education. At SAIT, we prepare our students for rewarding and in-demand careers in the global hospitality industry through expert instruction, hands-on learning anda state-of-the-art facilities. Our alumni are working in top hospitality organizations in Calgary, Canada and around the globe.

During this full-time two-year diploma program, you will obtain skills in lodging, food and beverage and a host of other hospitality sectors. Your training will cover hotel and restaurant operations, wine and beverage appreciation, special events, marketing, human resources, accounting and much more.

Our blended learning environment includes classroom instruction, laptop delivery and a live working environment - all delivered through a personalized approach. You will learn what it’s like to work as a member of a hospitality team by participating in group projects, serving in the renowned Highwood restaurant and executing special events on campus.

You will also be trained on the latest industry software including:

• Opera Property Management System
• MICROS point of sale system
• OpenTable restaurant management software.

As part of our close relationship with the hospitality sector, we are privileged to have some of the best and brightest leaders from the community serve on our advisory board. They help by providing insight into industry trends and informing the development of an up-to-date and practical curriculum.

Special events

• As a student, you will also have the opportunity to put your knowledge into action as part of a team planning and hosting special events such as:
  • HOSPO: the largest one-day tourism conference in Western Canada featuring 50 guest speakers and a career fair with over 50 industry booths
  • Scholarship lunch and industry gala in The Highwood
  • SAIT President’s gala dinner for 400 VIP delegates.

Professional paid internship and study tours

• Between your first and second year of study, you will be able to apply your skills in a professional paid internship. In addition to gaining experience in a real-world environment, internships provide valuable connections and opportunities to network with future employers.
• As a student, you can also take advantage of exciting international study tours. Previous tour locations have included Scotland, Italy, Australia, Vietnam and Thailand.

Learn to set the bar in office software, productivity, organizing information and solving problems to help businesses run smoothly.

Become the backbone of a business with the Administrative Information Management (AIM) diploma. This two-year program has unique benefits and is becoming a preferred credential for employers hiring administrative professionals.

Working in teams, you will hone your professionalism, critical thinking and effective communication skills. You learn to create and manage solutions to business information needs through technology, meetings, office procedures and more. Become an expert in project administration and planning events. You integrate business technology with real office procedures.

You can graduate with several Microsoft Office certifications, demonstrating your advanced skills in word processing, database, spreadsheet and presentation software. Working for a simulated company, you integrate all your skills to manage information and creatively solve office challenges. Your final course is a four-week practicum placement. Apply everything you learned in a real workplace and demonstrate your career readiness.

Prepare for a career as a chemical or process engineering technologist, environmental technician or process designer with training in all aspects of chemical engineering technology, from environmental engineering to industry safety.

Your formula for success starts here. In the Chemical Engineering Technology program, you’ll study engineering design calculations, chemical process unit operations, process simulation and control, safety and environmental engineering. 

In this program, you’ll gain an in-depth knowledge of unit operation, process control and equipment design while you learn to operate, troubleshoot, maintain, and design safe processing units and plants. In addition, our industry-trained instructors will teach you design calculations, process simulation and control, industry safety and environmental engineering. You will also learn to work with engineering software that will give you an edge to jump-start your career.

Gain practical business knowledge in courses blending theory and hands-on learning in the core areas of business including economics, communication and organizational behaviour. Build a career in one of six majors - accounting, financial services, human resource management, management, marketing or supply chain management.

Engage in small classes with active, collaborative coursework, learning from faculty with real business experience. You work in teams to deliver projects, present strategies and meet business goals. You start with a common first year to build core business skills. In year two, you become proficient in your choice of major: Accounting, Financial Services, Human Resource Management, Management, Marketing or Supply Chain Management.

You begin the program with a small business simulation. Then you progress to your final capstone course - a global simulation of an international enterprise where you make all decisions from manufacturing and production to hiring your workforce, determining pricing and promotional strategy and more.

Human Resource Management
Develop skills in human resource (HR) management through an understanding of the recruitment process, the role of employee training and development, employment law, and HR information management systems. Graduates can launch their HR careers in areas such as recruiting, training, payroll and more

Prepare to make your mark in the business world with the industry-recognized Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree.
Engage in small classes with active, collaborative coursework while learning from faculty with real business experience. Work in teams to deliver projects, present strategies and meet business goals.

You'll begin the program with a common first year to build core business skills, then in year two, choose from one of six majors:

• Accounting
• Financial Services
• Human Resource (HR) Management
• Management
• Marketing
• Supply Chain Management

Management: open the door to a diverse career with effective skills in managing people, processes and projects. In the BBA – Management degree, you learn about projects, operations, change and conflict through practical classes. Specialize your electives and learn the language of the industry with a minor in energy or construction.

Open the door to a fast-paced office career with the one-year Office Professional certificate. Learn to communicate in an office setting, understand common office procedures and use technology to organize business information. You practice collaboration and teamwork to complete a variety of business tasks.

You can graduate with several Microsoft Office certifications, demonstrating your essential skills in word processing, spreadsheet, email and presentation software. When you graduate, you can launch your office professional career or apply to the second year of SAIT’s  Administrative Information Management diploma.

Train to become an aircraft maintenance technician and be responsible for the service and repair of all types of airplanes and helicopters — with the eventual opportunity to obtain your Aircraft Maintenance Engineer license.

The Aircraft Maintenance Engineers Technology program offers the student the knowledge and skills required to enter a career as an Aircraft Maintenance Technician. Once employed in the aviation industry, students may work toward the Aircraft Maintenance Engineer “M” (AME) license. An Aircraft Maintenance Technician/Engineer is responsible for the servicing and repair of aircraft and aircraft components.

The program covers all the aspects of aircraft maintenance including general aviation, corporate, charter, transport category aircraft, and helicopters. This is a two-year diploma program and all classes are scheduled at the Art Smith Aero Centre for Training and Technology, located at the Calgary International Airport.

Some of the courses in this program are web-based and will require the students to access information from the Internet. These courses are delivered in one of the two computer labs available at the Art Smith Aero Centre. Students are not required to purchase a laptop for this program.

Organize, manage and access information as a library technician, information specialist or records management technician through this extensive program covering cataloguing, classification, public relations, web design and more.

Information resourcing is a high-tech adventure and a sought after skill. Various industries need employees with people skills to organize, access and manage the expanding volume of information in today’s world.

Library Information Technology students gain proficiency in every area of library operations, from database searching, library network technology, cataloguing and classification to public relations, web design and records management. 

Developed with input from industry experts, the Hospitality and Tourism Management program will give you practical hands-on education, ensuring you have the real-world knowledge and skills to achieve success in the workforce.

During this program, you will develop a strong understanding of the hospitality and tourism industries. You will gain knowledge in guest experiences delivery, sales and marketing, service and applied leadership, all complemented by a strong financial management foundation. You will expand your knowledge by choosing a specialization in travel and tourism, entrepreneurship and innovation, hotel and accommodation management, restaurant and service operations, event management, beverage management and more.

Develop qualities that are in high demand for all hospitality and tourism jobs such as communication, problem-solving and interpersonal skills. The industry is fast-paced and requires you to be adaptable, enthusiastic and resilient. If you enjoy keeping busy and working within a team to achieve common goals, then this career is perfect for you.

The program allows you to choose an area of specialization in:

• Hotel and Accommodations
• Restaurant and Service Operations
• Beverage Management
• Travel and Tourism
• Event Management
• Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

Restaurant and Service Operations
Learn service operations management skills through practical,?hands-on training in the?renowned Highwood restaurant, and?through?executing special events on and off campus with?our?key industry partners. Your training will cover beverage and service operations, facility management and design,?as well as people leadership and inventory management.

Developed with input from industry experts, the Hospitality and Tourism Management program will give you practical hands-on education, ensuring you have the real-world knowledge and skills to achieve success in the workforce.

During this program, you will develop a strong understanding of the hospitality and tourism industries. You will gain knowledge in guest experiences delivery, sales and marketing, service and applied leadership, all complemented by a strong financial management foundation. You will expand your knowledge by choosing a specialization in travel and tourism, entrepreneurship and innovation, hotel and accommodation management, restaurant and service operations, event management, beverage management and more.

Develop qualities that are in high demand for all hospitality and tourism jobs such as communication, problem-solving and interpersonal skills. The industry is fast-paced and requires you to be adaptable, enthusiastic and resilient. If you enjoy keeping busy and working within a team to achieve common goals, then this career is perfect for you.

The program allows you to choose an area of specialization in:

• Hotels and Accommodation: Gain strong hotel industry knowledge on the interconnectivity of all departments that bring a guest experience to life through two practicum placements with leading hotel partners. You will also gain practical experience in front office management, hotel event planning, hotel revenue management and facilities design.
• Restaurant and Service Operations: Learn service operations management skills through practical,?hands-on training in the?renowned Highwood restaurant, and?through?executing special events on and off campus with?our?key industry partners. Your training will cover beverage and service operations, facility management and design,?as well as people leadership and inventory management.
• Beverage Management: Obtain in-depth beverage product knowledge in non-alcoholic beverages as well as wine, beer and spirits. Training will cover beverage sales and retail operations, inventory control and basic culinary understanding to build your skills in creating sustainable beverage programs. 
• Event Management:  This specialization exposes you to all aspects of the event and meeting planning industry, from conventions to live events and festivals. You will gain applied knowledge in contract and stakeholder negotiations, event strategy planning and execution as you bring several events to life on campus and with industry partners, from small- scale VIP events to large events.
• Travel and Tourism:  Gain travel product knowledge to prepare for a career in destination and travel planning. Your training will cover product and reservation systems, itinerary planning and design, special interest and sustainable tourism. You will have the opportunity to connect with industry partners in solving industry problems, and selling and marketing products at our Travel Center on Campus.
• Entrepreneurship and Innovation: Whether your passion is starting your own hospitality business or to create innovative products within a larger company, this specialization introduces you to the entrepreneurial mindset, design thinking and new venture planning. You will have the opportunity to study current industry trends and identify gaps to help provide creative solutions and drive new product development.  This specialization offers elective opportunities from any other specialization.
• Multi-Disciplinary: Choose a multi-disciplinary approach and select electives from various specializations to build a customized hospitality and tourism path. You will apply that learning through practical, hands-on operations in the specialization of choice, and through executing special events on and off campus with leading industry partners.