1. Introduction to the catering and convention service field: your job is so glamorous you party every day -- 2. Required skill sets: apologies, empathy, and education -- 3. What planners really want: relationships -- 4. Contracts and their execution: the agreement -- 5. Communication: listening and delivering -- 6. Food and beverage: the catering part of catering convention services management -- 7. Staffing and service styles for food and beverage events -- 8. The space: choosing and setting up the room, outdoor areas or tents -- 9. Nonprofit, social, and wedding events: understanding the emotional side of events -- 10. Association and corporate events: the business side of tourism -- 11. Casino, VIP and celebrity events, and tradeshows: dealing with the rich and famous -- 12. Upselling for repeat business and working with vendors: improving the bottom line -- 13. Accounting for catering and convention services.