A career in the events industry is widely sought after today. According to Allied Market Research, the events industry is expected to reach $1,552.9 billion by 2028. The trade show and conference planning segment alone has 77,816 workers in the US in 2022.
For aspiring professionals who want to have a career in event planning, the competition is fierce. Hiring an event coordinator is a big deal that requires a thorough assessment of event management skills and experience because events have a huge impact on a person or company’s branding and reputation.
A product event launch can determine the first impression of the market, a wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime milestone for couples, and so on. This is why people are meticulous in choosing an event planner to handle the job. For event organizers to stand out, they must be able to showcase their skills and credibility.
Getting an event planning certification is a good way to increase your chances of showing your expertise. Aside from the career boost, getting certified as an event professional gives you the training and confidence to deliver a successful event.
An event planning certification usually covers important event planning topics like project management, budgeting, logistics, event marketing, vendor management, and risk assessment. In addition to the learning experience, enrolling in an event planning certification program opens new networking opportunities in the events industry that can be beneficial for career advancement.
This article will list down the top 10 most popular event planning certifications and other helpful event management resources.
Top 10 Event Planning Certifications for Event Planners
We listed down ten of the most popular event certification known in the events industry. Whether you’re someone with a desire to start a career in events or a veteran event planner with years of experience, there is an event certification program that fits this list.
The common benefits that these certification programs promote are advancement in careers, networking opportunities, and access to mentorship from peers or other event leaders. To be a part of a credible organization and community alone opens a lot of opportunities, especially in a word-of-mouth and social-proof-driven industry.
For example, LinkedIn has hundreds of jobs looking for an event planner with a preference for people who has an event certification.
1. Certified Meeting Professional (CMP)
Event meeting professionals have regarded the Certified Meeting Professional as the gold standard since 1985. Getting CMP certified is recognized globally and entitles you to a title you can add after your name like on your LinkedIn profile. The CMP website cited a study that meeting planners who hold the CMP earn (on average) $10,756 more annually than their non-certified counterparts.
The CMP organization also offers a career center on its site with the latest job opportunities in the events industry. Being a member gives you access to 18 Job board organizations with hundreds of job openings. Aside from this, members are given helpful career resources from resume building, freelance work, interviewing tutorials, and more.
Feedback for the CMP Certification said “If you have the opportunity, take the time to invest in yourself and your career. This did an excellent job of reiterating practices I already had in place and teaching me new industry standards to be applied at my current job and future opportunities.”
CMP Application Process:
Apply for the CMP certification through the CMP portal once you meet all the requirements. The requirements to apply are the following:
- 36 months of full-time employment in the meetings industry
- 25 clock hours of continuing education.
If you have a degree in Event Management or Hospitality, you will only need 24 months of full-time employment. All activities must be within the past five years. Also, if you participated in an industry-related internship, that may count for your 25 clock hours of continuing education.
CMP Fees:
The CMP Application fee is $250 and the exam fee costs $400. Both are non-refundable.
2. Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP)
Having a CSEP Certification demonstrates your broad knowledge of the events industry and gives you instant credibility with clients. Earning a CSEP Certificate shows clients and businesses that you have the experience and expertise that they are looking for to make their event a success.
The goal of this certification is to create a standard of best practice for aspiring event planners and elevate industry standards. One of the highlights of their certification program is their elite network of global event planners.
CSEP Application Process:
You can only apply online for a CSEP Certificate. To be eligible for application, a candidate must qualify for either of the following:
- Minimum of five (5) years of proven full-time practical experience in the events industry.
- Minimum three (3) years of proven full-time practical experience in the events industry with a letter of recommendation from a current and active CSEP clearly stating the candidate’s suitability for the CSEP program.
- Minimum of three (3) years of proven full-time practical experience in the events industry with a 1-2 year certificate from a recognized hospitality/events industry program.
CSEP Fees:
The CSEP Application fee is $350, due upon submission. The CSEP exam fee is $350. Both the application and exam fees are nonrefundable.
3. Certified Wedding Planner (CWP)
The wedding industry is one of the most lucrative industries to be a part of in events. Statistics show that there are 933,341 wedding services workers in the US in 2022.
The Certified Wedding Planner (CWP) is the world’s largest membership of certified wedding planners. A CWO Certification includes wedding planning educational resources, the CWP title as credentials, access to workshops, mentoring, and training sessions, and belonging to a support group of wedding planners.
CWP Application Process:
The CWP is offered as a membership and does not require an exam to join.
CWP fees:
- Wedding Planner Certification: One-time fee of $540
- Planner and Design Consultant Certification: One-time fee of $830
- Planner and Master Planner Certification: One-time fee of $1040
- Planner + Design + Master Certification: One-time fee of $1335
4. Certified Quality Event Planner (CQEP)
The Certified Quality Event Planner is issued by the Management and Strategy Institute (MSI). This certification program contains 6 modules of the program and a 3-hour online certification exam after. After getting this certification, the applicant will receive 30 units of credits from MSI.
CQEP Application Process:
There are no prerequisites to enroll and take the certification exam. Anyone who has general knowledge of event planning principles can apply for this certification.
CQEP Fees:
A one-time fee of $299.95 includes study materials for the exam, the MSI Certification exam to be completed online, and mailing of certificate & transcripts once certified.
5. Certified Government Meeting Professional (CGMP)
The certification for Certified Government Meeting Professional is the choice for professionals whose work is “governed by the rules and regulations of the federal government.” Gaining this certification gives you the prestige of gaining the highest level of certification for government meeting professionals.
The CGMP certification does not only bring benefits to government planners but also to contract planners and suppliers. The credibility and opportunity event planners gain from being certified make it worth the investment.
Aside from government planning, this certification is also recognized in the hospitality industry.
CGMP Application Process:
The application process is completed through their website. To qualify, an interested applicant must be a current member of the Society of Government Meeting Professionals (SGMP) and can document at least one year of experience in the meetings/hospitality industry.
CGMP Fees:
The registration fee is $649 and includes all training sessions, the CGMP manual, and the exam. To sit for the exam, you must attend all three days of the in-person course
6. Certified in Exhibition Management (CEM)
A certificate in exhibition management is created by the International Association of Exhibition and Events (IAEE) to set the bar for professionals planning for exhibitions. To get this certification, event professionals must complete a total of nine courses held online and in person.
Some of the topics included in the certification program are Conference and Meeting Management, Event Marketing, Event Operations, Digital Events Management, Floor Plan Development, and more.
CEM Application Process:
Applications are submitted through the IAEE Member Dashboard on their membership website. They require at least three (3) years of full-time experience in the exhibitions and events industry before you can proceed with the certification process.
CEM Fee:
The application fee is $100 for members and $125 for non-members.
7. Digital Events Strategist Certification (DES)
Virtual events are rising in popularity because of their convenience, wide reach, and cost-effectiveness. Companies and brands have started to do virtual events like virtual conferences and virtual summits to raise awareness and increase conversion.
Gaining certification for digital events is a strategic move because it gives you an advantage in a specific event planning niche that is in demand these days.
According to their website, getting certified reaps huge benefits in their career. “Event professionals with a DES certification earn $8,000 more than their peers without the certification, according to Convene Magazine’s 2022 Salary Survey. Those with both a CMP and DES earn $18,000 more compared to their peers.”
DES Application Process:
Enrolling in the course includes self-paced modules and access to the exam. This certification is not limited to event planners but is open to anyone with an interest in developing expertise in “connecting people to brands, ideas, and opportunities through business events in a digital world.’
DES Fee:
The DES Certification is $695 for non-members and $595 for members.
8. Certified Festival and Event Executive (CFEE)
From music festivals, cultural events, food fairs, and art exhibitions, organizing these gatherings provide a thrilling experience that attendees love.
The CFEE program offers an intensive course for event planners who wish to specialize in the festival niche. Some of the topics the classes cover are: Sponsorship, Non-Sponsorship Revenue, Project Management, Operations/Risk Management, Marketing & Media Relations, and Administration & Management
CFEE Application Process:
Enrolling in the program has a pre-requisite of five years of paid, full-time festival or event-related industry experience at a professional level and is currently employed in the festival and events industry.
CFEE Fees:
- CFEE Enrollment Fee ($200 for International Festival and Events (IFEA) Members and $500 for non-members.
- CFEE 6 Core Classes ($600 for IFEA Members and $1295 for Non-IFEA Members)
- CFEE Certification Fee ($250 for IFEA Members and $550 for Non-IFEA Members)
9. Certified Event Planning Specialist (CEPS)
The Event Planning Specialist Certification is conducted by the National Career Certification Board (NCCB) which aims to give event planning professionals a distinction. Getting certified is available to anyone who has formal training and work experience in their field of expertise.
CEPS Application Process:
The process starts with a purchase of the practice exam that is valid for 90 days. The next step is the purchase of the certification exam which will be monitored by AI proctoring software. After scoring at least 70% on the exam, the PDF certification will be emailed to you.
CEPS Fee:
The practice exam costs $19.95 and the certification exam is $175.
10. Certified Meeting Management (CMM)
Event planners can boost their event management skills by enrolling in the Certified Meeting Management Program created by Meeting Professionals International (MPI). Learn event management essentials that can boost your skills and track records like business data analytics, financial management, event marketing, and more.
CMM Application Process:
To apply for the certification, the applicant must possess at least seven years of professional working experience. Additionally, at least 2 years of experience in profit and loss responsibility should be available.
CMM Fees:
Enrollment in a lifetime CMM membership costs $4,400 per person. This investment includes a 12-month MPI membership, in-residence courses, online learning boot camps, faculty consultation, project feedback, and more.
5 Event Planning Courses to Consider
Aside from event certifications, there are numerous online event planning courses you can consider. The following courses provide comprehensive knowledge that can prepare you for certification or your projects
1. Virtual Event and Meeting Management Certificate by the Event Leadership Institute
The Event Leadership Institute has several courses that are on-demand or facilitated. The Virtual Event and Meeting Management course is on-demand or self-paced making it easier for busy event professionals to go through this at their own pace. The course is valuable because an event planner today is now expected to have the skills to execute both online and in-person events.
Finishing the course will equip an event leader with digital strategies for planning a virtual event. After finishing the program, event planners are expected to be able to craft their own virtual/digital event program that provides a return on investment to key stakeholders and develop a plan to engage a virtual audience.
Course Fee: $695 / $556 for Annual Members
2. Event Planning and Design Course by the Wedding Planning Institute
If you’re an event planner that wants to break into the wedding niche, then this course might be worth an investment.
The course is a combination of interactive learning online with reading, videos, quizzes, assignments, and projects, as well as live class discussions and live webinars. Aside from the materials that can be consumed self-paced, there are weekly live mentoring sessions and internship opportunities included in the course.
Course Fee: $1595
3. Online Event Planning Course by the New York Institute of Art and Design
The online Event Planning Course is ideal for aspiring event planners who want a basic understanding of the different aspects of event planning. Before getting an event certificate, it is best to be exposed to the best practices in planning for meetings, parties, fundraisers, retreats, conferences, and more which this course provides.
This online course will usually take 18 months to complete. Included in the investment is access to the forum and one-on-one feedback from a professional event planner as your mentor.
Course Fee: $899
4. Event Management Certificate Program by George Washington University School of Business
The Professional Certificate in Event Management is a pass-or-fail course that event planners can take to gain specific knowledge they wish about the event planning industry. Required topics covered in this course include best practices in event management, event coordination, event marketing, and risk management in financial, legal, and ethical safeguards.
Event professionals can then choose an additional elective course like corporate event management, wedding planning, virtual and hybrid event management, and more.
Course Fees:
- $450 per course
5. Event Design and Styling Course by the Event Academy
The event planning courses by the Event Academy is the only online course that is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM). Event organizers can choose from an online foundation certificate, part-time diploma, online diploma, and online postgraduate diploma. The duration for the courses spans from 1 month to 12 months.
Course Fees:
- Online Foundation Certificate: £495
- Part-Time Diploma: £1,795
- Online Diploma: £999
- Online Post Graduate Diploma: £3,950
Other Event Planning Resources
Aside from the certificate programs and courses, there are other resources that an event organizer can learn from. Whether you’re a reader or a listener, there is an event planning resource for you.
Here are some of them:
Events Podcasts
- Better Events – The Better Events podcast is hosted by two event professionals Logan Clements and Mary Davidson. The podcast covers comprehensive topics like event strategy, case studies from event planners, tips and tricks, and event industry trends.
- Event Icons by Endless Events – Endless Events is a nationwide event management company offering services like event management, production, and strategy. Their expertise in the industry gives them the credibility to publish resources like blogs and podcasts. They have three podcasts related to the events industry – Event Tech, Event Icons, and Event Brew podcast.
Events Blogs
- Event Espresso Blog – Event Espresso is a trusted WordPress plug-in for event ticketing and registration. Their blog section holds valuable and in-depth articles about event planning, event marketing, and event operations.
- Event Smart Blog – Event Smart is also an event registration site that offers $0 commission fees for an unlimited number of tickets sold. Their blog posts have detailed how-to guides that event organizers can find helpful in their careers. The topics their blog cover are comprehensive – from crafting an event program, and gift ideas for your attendees to writing the perfect event description.
- Skift Meetings – Skift meetings can be considered the blog site to visit for all the latest event news and trends. As long as the news touch on anything events-related, Skift Meetings has it published. Some news categories on their site range from tourism, technology, inspiration, and business news up to artificial intelligence.
Events Related Books
Last but not least are books. You’ll never go wrong with the classic principles from these resources. These books tackle topics on how to build your events planning business and brand, wedding theme ideas, planning tools and checklists, and other templates to jumpstart your events projects.
- Event Planner: How to Start a Full-Service Event Planning Business by J.H Dies
- Event Planning and Management: Principles, Planning, and Practice by Ruth Dowson
- The Non-Obvious Guide To Event Planning (For Kick-Ass Gatherings That Inspire People) (Non-Obvious Guides) by Andrea Driessen
Skills Needed to be a Certified Event Planner
All these event planning certifications and resources have the main goal of increasing an event organizer’s credibility to gain more business. More than the certifications and training, what companies and brands usually look for are the skills and characteristics the event leader possesses to handle the event.
Aside from applying the learnings from the resources and training above, a successful event planner is usually expected to have good attention to detail, the ability to think on their feet, skills in marketing and promotion, and an empathetic communicator.
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