Best Virtual Event Planning Course in 2024 (Complete Guide)

If 2020 was the year virtual events went mainstream, 2024 is the year they became the standard. Whether you’re organizing online conferences, virtual fundraisers, hybrid networking events, or digital product launches—it all starts with one critical skill: virtual event planning.

The good news? You don’t need to spend thousands on a fancy degree to learn how to run a successful online event. Thanks to robust online learning platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and others, you can skill up from your laptop, on your time.

But with so many “online event planning” courses out there, which one is truly worth it?

In this guide, I’ll break down what makes a great virtual event planning course, compare top-rated options, and show you where the Coursera Virtual Event Planning course fits in. Let’s dive in.

Why Learn Virtual Event Planning in 2024?

Virtual events aren’t just a temporary workaround—they’ve become an essential part of how organizations host attendees globally, share content, and create interactive experiences.

Here’s why learning how to run virtual events is so valuable:

• 🔹 Corporate trainings are moving online
• 🔹 Industry conferences offer hybrid options
• 🔹 Non-profits are hosting digital fundraisers
• 🔹 Coaches, consultants, and creators are using virtual summits to grow their audience
• 🔹 Lower cost, greater reach, and flexibility drives demand

The skills you learn through a solid virtual event planning course give you the confidence to run small webinars—or full-scale digital conferences—with ease.

But not all courses are equal.

What Makes a Great Virtual Event Planning Course?

When shopping for an online training, look for these 4 features:

• Real-world expertise from instructors
• Actionable content to help you plan and launch events
• A platform that’s easy to use and self-paced
• Good student reviews and credentials

Luckily, the Virtual Event Planning course on Coursera checks all the boxes.

Spotlight: Coursera’s Virtual Event Planning Course

Course link: https://www.coursera.org/learn/virtual-event-planning

Offered through the University of California, Irvine, this course is designed for people already working in event planning, marketing, or admin roles who want to take their events digital.

What You’ll Learn:

• Planning virtual and hybrid events from the ground up
• Maximizing attendee engagement using event tech platforms
• Scripting and scheduling content for virtual experiences
• Navigating common challenges like tech issues, audience fatigue, and interaction gaps
• Event evaluation, analytics, and continuous improvement

💡 Why This Matters: Strong event planning isn’t just about stringing together Zoom links. As the Event Leadership Institute puts it, “Delivering exceptional attendee experiences online requires new skills—technical agility, engagement strategy, and platform fluency” (source).

What Makes This Course Stand Out

• Taught by experienced instructors in corporate events
• Hosted on a top-tier learning platform (Coursera)
• Flexible deadlines and auto-graded assessments
• Offers a certificate to showcase your skills upon completion

Other Top Virtual Event Planning Course Options to Consider

Still exploring? Here are highly rated alternatives you may want to compare:

• 
  Instructor: Mattias Cook
  Best For: Beginners and time-crunched learners
  Pros: Affordable one-time payment, covers tech and scheduling
  Real reviews: 4.2 stars from over 240 reviews
• 
  Best For: Experienced event pros seeking certification
  Pros: Deep dive into strategy and logistics
  Time commitment: Multi-week intensive online learning
• 🟢 NYIAD – Online Event Planning Course (General)
  Best For: Newbies learning the fundamentals of event planning
  Includes access to mentors and projects
  Note: Focused on traditional event planning, not virtual-specific

Coursera vs. Udemy vs. ELI – Which Course Should You Choose?

If you just need fast, practical guidance to start planning your next virtual event, Udemy offers a quick intro.

If you want a professional-grade certification for your résumé, the Event Leadership Institute program is a solid investment.

But if you fall somewhere in between—and prefer learning from a top-tier university provider—Coursera’s Virtual Event Planning course offers the best value.

Real Student Feedback: What People Say

One student of the Event Leadership Institute course shared this:

“At such a critical time in the complete disruption of our world and the meetings industry, this course helped me structure and deliver a virtual event for my organization. I highly recommend it.” – Verified review

Meanwhile, Mattias Cook’s Udemy course has over 900 learners and positive reviews around approachability and clarity.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

❓ Is virtual event planning a good career?
Yes! As long as online events are part of the mix (and they are), skilled virtual event planners will be in demand.

❓ Do I need experience to take a virtual event course?
Most are beginner-friendly. However, Coursera and ELI’s versions assume some knowledge in events, marketing, or admin.

❓ Will I get certified?
Yes. All three major programs offer certificates of completion.

Final Verdict: Is Coursera’s Virtual Event Planning Course Worth It?

Absolutely—especially if you want university-quality instruction, a flexible schedule, and a respected certificate to impress employers or clients.

Planning an engaging digital event takes more than conferencing tech. It requires project management, scripting, production coordination, and understanding platform dynamics.

This course helps you build that end-to-end skill set—with lessons you can apply right away.

If you’re serious about becoming a virtual event expert in 2024, this is your launch point.

📌 Tip: Scan Reddit threads and TrustPilot for real user reviews to help make your final choice. Also, don’t forget to take advantage of free trials or audit options on Coursera to explore the course before fully committing.

Thanks for reading—and happy planning!