{"id":5084,"date":"2019-04-16T13:09:28","date_gmt":"2019-04-16T20:09:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.peerspace.com\/resources\/?p=5084"},"modified":"2024-08-21T10:07:09","modified_gmt":"2024-08-21T17:07:09","slug":"event-planning-certifications","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.peerspace.com\/resources\/event-planning-certifications\/","title":{"rendered":"Everything You Need to Know About Event Planning Certifications"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The world of event planning is growing faster than anyone could\u2019ve imagined, ballooning quickly into an $845-billion industry. Its growth is projected to continue steadily for years to come, making it a lucrative field to explore. As the industry grows and evolves, systems for qualifying professionals continue to develop \u2014 both at universities and through professional associations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most event planners who are in the business for the long haul will eventually seek out one or more event planning certifications, which signal to potential client they\u2019re accomplished authorities in their field. In addition, the certification sets them apart from the less-qualified competition. But how\u2019s one to navigate all of those acronyms? Don\u2019t worry \u2014 we\u2019ll do our best to sort it all out for you.

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Certifications vs. certificates<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Before we really dig in, it\u2019s useful to note the difference between certifications and certificates. Event planning certifications come from professional associations like the Events Industry Council<\/a> (EIC) or the National Association for Catering and Events<\/a> (NACE). These are peer-awarded credentials acknowledging that you\u2019ve achieved a certain level of expertise \u2014 they\u2019re generally for people who\u2019ve already worked in the industry, but there are some exceptions that we\u2019ll mention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Certificates usually refer to credentials awarded by an educational institution. You can take courses in event planning at numerous universities and colleges, and they may offer both degree or certificate programs. Thus, you might be able to earn a certificate before ever actually working in the event planning industry, provided you\u2019ve passed your courses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The University of Central Florida was the first accredited four-year college in the United States to offer a bachelor\u2019s degree in event management in 2006. The field of study has grown since then, modeled largely on the hotel management\/hospitality industry programs that are now widespread in universities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both of these types of programs are useful for event planners. It\u2019s all about taking a look at what options are available to you and deciding what fits best relative to your current career path and skill gaps. At the end of the day, these types of programs aren\u2019t about getting another line on your resume \u2014 they\u2019re about learning new skills and gaining knowledge that you can put to use for your clients. For the purpose of this particular article, we\u2019re focusing on professional certifications. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

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Book the perfect event space.<\/h2>\n\n \n \n

\n Peerspace makes it easy to book the perfect event space. Browse our location library and enjoy no-hassle bookings today. <\/p>\n\n \n \n Find event venues<\/a>\n\n \n <\/div>\n

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CMP: Certified Meeting Professional<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The CMP certification is awarded by the Events Industry Council<\/a>, which is a federation of 32 separate industry associates. So the CMP is sort of an over-arching certification that covers all aspects of what\u2019s called the \u201cMICE\u201d industry \u2014 meetings, incentives, conventions, and events. The CMP was launched in 1985 to \u201cenhance the knowledge and performance of meeting professionals, promote the status and credibility of the meeting profession, and advance uniform standards of practice.\u201d It also happens to be one of the most popular event planning certifications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Various resources exist to help you study for the CMP exam, but before you can take it, you must have worked in the event planning profession for three years, as well as have 25 hours of continuing education. If you have a degree in an associated field, like hospitality or event management, you only need to have worked for two years. You can find the 2019 version of the CMP handbook here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The exam covers topics like site management, event design, and event promotion, and it\u2019s entirely multiple-choice. There are test prep courses available, and a lot of useful knowledge is also in the handbook. You need a 55 to pass, but what\u2019s interesting is that not all questions are weighted equally, so easier questions are worth fewer points.

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CESP: Certified Special Events Professional<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The CESP<\/a> (Event Planning Specialist Certification) is awarded by the National Career Certification Board, and it\u2019s a certification geared more towards entry-level event planners. One nice perk about the CESP is that practice tests are available for less than $20, so you can take it a few times and be confident you\u2019ll pass before taking the actual exam \u2014 which you can do online. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the actual certification exam, you\u2019ll have two hours to answer 80 questions. A score of 70% or higher passes and, if you pass, you\u2019ll get immediate access to an online copy of your certification documents. The purpose of the CESP is to certify you hold a baseline level of knowledge, so it makes a great first certification to aim for.

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CPCE: Certified Professional in Catering and Events<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The National Association for Catering and Events\u2019s certification, the CPCE, does a useful double duty in that it has an extra focus on catering. Depending on your career goals and what aspects of event planning you\u2019re most interested in, this particular flavor of event planning certification might be an excellent choice. Like many of the other certification exams, the test comprises multiple-choice questions. Topics touched upon include accounting best practices, human resources, liquor laws, site management, and more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

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Book the perfect event space.<\/h2>\n\n \n \n

\n Peerspace makes it easy to book the perfect event space. Browse our location library and enjoy no-hassle bookings today. <\/p>\n\n \n \n Find event venues<\/a>\n\n \n <\/div>\n

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Other certifications:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are a number of other professional event planner certification programs available, most of which have a more specific angle that you might want to explore if they suit your particular goals. These include: <\/p>\n\n\n\n