Top 12 Event Planning Certifications You Need To Propel Your Career

Ever wonder how the alphabet soup of CMP, CSEP, CPCE, and CGMP can prepare you for a successful career in event planning? Wondering whether event planning certifications can actually help you learn more about the industry or take your career to the next level? Then this blog article is for you.

In the era of hybrid events, there are new skills, new tools, and new event software features to master. In this article, we’ll cover the most popular event planning certifications and event management licenses and show you how to use online event planning classes to your advantage.

Want even more event planning certificates and certifications? Read “The Best Virtual and Hybrid Event Planning Certificates and Certifications.”

1. CMP: Certified Meetings Professional

What Is CMP Certification? 

According to CIC (Convention Industry Council), the main goal of the CMP program is to standardize best practices, establish credibility to the profession, and boost the performance of event planners. The CMP exam is developed by planners from around the world and the event certification itself is held by professionals from 55 countries. With more than 14,000 meeting professionals having received CMP Certification, the CMP program has led the way in standardizing event industry best practices throughout the globe.

How To Become CMP Certified

The exam covers a range of event industry topics, from strategic planning to site management, to event design and marketing. CIC recommends that those interested first consult the CMP International Standards document and then focus on studying the areas outlined that planners are least familiar with. For those interested, CIC offers a Healthcare specific CMP certification, which is designed to educate planners in the healthcare industry.

Learn more: CMP

2. CSEP: Certified Special Events Professional

What Is CSEP Certification? 

This particular event management license, endorsed by ILEA (International Live Events Association), is meant to improve industry performance by providing professionals with the opportunity to develop professionally and gain expertise in the events industry. The CSEP program is also meant to respond to the growing complexity of maintaining a standard of practice among events professionals in an industry that is constantly changing.

There are a variety of benefits that come with CSEP Certification. For example, this event certification is globally recognized, so planners will be connected to a global community of other professionals in the industry.

How To Become CSEP Certified

In order to be eligible for the CSEP program, offered four times a year, event planners must have a minimum of three years of full-time professional employment in the special events industry. In order to keep up to date with industry best practices, those with CSEP certification are required to re-certify every five years. For details on the structure of the exam and testing periods — and to learn more about the online event planning classes — check out the ILEA website.

Learn more: ILEA

3. CPCE: Certified Professional in Catering and Events

What Is CPCE Certification? 

Organized by NACE, the National Association for Catering and Events, the CPCE Certification is a nationally recognized program meant to provide organizers with the opportunity to be recognized as an expert in the catering, hospitality, and events industry.

How To Become CPCE Certified

The structure of the exam is comprehensive and consists of 175 multiple choice questions, covering domains ranging from accounting to beverage management, and marketing to human resources. Planners can be sure that by preparing and succeeding in this exam, they will have a strong grasp of a wide range of industry knowledge.

Learn more: CPCE

4. CGMP: Certified Government Meeting Professional

What Is CGMP Certification? 

Becoming a certified event manager is not only relevant for the private sector but the public sector as well. The CGMP program is the highest designation geared toward government planners and suppliers. The certification is meant to provide planners with a strong understanding of the rules and regulations surrounding government meetings, and to “increase the exposure/importance of the government market” within the events industry.

The CGMP Certification is excellent for government meeting professionals because it not only provides planners with expert knowledge on the details of rules and regulations but has the highest level of certification for this specific industry. It also better positions certification holders for growth within their company.

How To Become CGMP Certified

The program comprises a 100 multiple-choice-question exam and a three-day course consisting of instruction within a variety of areas, specifically ethics, Federal budget and appropriations, Federal travel regulations, and contracting.

Learn more: CGMP

5. GTP: Global Travel Professional

What Is GTP Certification? 

According to the Global Business Travel Association, the GTP Certification is meant to raise the standards of the business travel management industry. GBTA also claims that not only do industry professionals benefit from the CGB program by facilitating professional growth, the program also benefits the business travel industry itself by helping employers choose personnel who are knowledgeable.

Obtaining GTP Certification can go a long way in terms of developing one’s professional image and career. As hundreds of leading professionals in the business travel industry have earned the GTP Certification, participating in this program will give organizers credentials that match these leaders.

How To Become GTP Certified

GTP Certification requires applicants to complete a comprehensive exam that covers domains from strategic business planning, buyer/supplier relations, to data, analytics, and finance. The GTP program also offers a variety of ways to help applicants succeed through the program, from study guides and resource lists to online prep courses.

Learn more: GTP

6. DES: Digital Event Strategist

What Is DES Certification? 

The DES certification is a direct result of the growing importance and integration of digital technology within the events industry and is meant to respond to the growth of events powered by virtual event software. DES Certification provides effective instruction in strategies to maximize digital engagement practices, from the planning stage through to measuring results.

The main goal of the DES event planning certification is to improve the skills event organizers need to excel in the digital events industry. The benefits of certification range from career development through obtaining professionally recognizable skills and qualifications, to recognition from peers that you are engaged in the future of the events industry.

How To Become DES Certified

DES event certification consists of a three-part process: a demonstration of previous professional experience in the industry, the DES Online Learning Program, and the exam. The curriculum and exam cover topics ranging from user experience, content development, product launches, audience acquisition, and monetization techniques. The exam itself is based on this curriculum, as detailed on the DES Certification page. Upon completing this process, event managers officially hold the title of being DES-certified event managers. 

Learn more: DES Certification

7. CMM: Certification in Meeting Management

What Is CMM Certification? 

The CMM Certification is an excellent training program that focuses on instructing participants on business management skills. The CMM program qualifies participants in topics related to business management and has also developed a “global standard of excellence” in this industry.

The major objectives of the program are to instruct future leaders on ways to develop and analyze business data, explore the skills necessary to succeed in managing teams, and gain exposure to finance, risk analysis, and other components of managing a business. The CMM program is particularly important for the events industry, as event organizers must understand and utilize data, learn to mitigate risks and develop management and leadership skills in order for events to succeed.

How To Become CMM Certified

This event management license program offers a customized training and study program. It is led by University of Virginia professors who cover important business management topics like strategic negotiations, business analytics, and risk mitigation. In addition to this training, the program also includes a case study project that conjoins what you’ve learned to your actual role in the industry.

Learn more: CMM Certification

8. CEM: Certified in Exhibition Management

What is CEM certification? 

This event certification, provided by the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE), is meant to signify the highest professional standard throughout the exhibition and event management industry.  The certification program spans a variety of topics within the event industry such as:

• Conference & Meeting Management Principles
• Consumer Show Management
• Event Marketing
• Event Operations
• Exhibition and Event Sales Fundamentals

The CEM program strives to provide holistic education to event professionals to set them up for success within their respective areas of expertise.

How To Become CEM certified 

Candidates must choose 9 out of the 12 courses that are offered and pass an exam after completing each course. Candidates are given 3 years to complete all 9 courses and exams. Through an extensive process, the CEM program provides a thorough and detailed education of the event industry, and graduates of the program not only benefit from the newfound knowledge but the valuable network of fellow CEM professionals.

Learn more: CEM

9. CTSM: Certified Trade Show Marketer

What Is CTSM certification? 

Created by Exhibitor Magazine, the CTSM program is designed for event professionals who are looking to elevate their mastery of trade shows and corporate event marketing. Becoming a certified event manager within the trade show industry will open doors to further propel one’s event management career. 

How To Become CTSM Certified 

To obtain this event management license, candidates must complete a 28-session core curriculum that encompasses a wide range of topics including Global Exhibit Marketing, Measurement & Analytics, and Management & Leadership. Upon completing the course, candidates will take a final exam that requires a minimum score of 75%. After passing the exam, candidates are expected to build a portfolio of real-life trade show projects they were responsible for. These are the three steps that are necessary to become a Certified Trade Show Marketer.

Learn more: CTSM

10. CEPS: Certified Event Planning Specialist

What Is CEPS Certification? 

This certification is provided by the National Career Certification Board, which specializes in entry-level certification for the career training industry. Receiving the CEPS certification is not as extensive as the other certifications on this list, but it still provides proof of expertise that can be helpful when starting out in the events industry.

How To Become CEPS Certified

There is no work experience or course requirement for this certification. The only requirement is to pass a 30 question exam after taking a few practice exams. The certification and exam cost $175 to complete. Again, this certification is meant for entry-level event professionals and upon receiving it, can open up more career opportunities.

Learn more: CEPS

11. CQEP: Certified Quality Event Planner

What Is CQEP certification? 

Becoming a Certified Quality Event Planner signifies a level of expertise across a wide range of event industry best practices. Organized by the Management and Strategy Institute, the CQEP is a good entry-level certification that introduces fundamental topics to those who are new to the event space. Some of these topics include:

• Risk analysis
• Planning and budgeting
• Defining objectives
• Storyboarding

How To Become CQEP Certified

The CQEP certification requires candidates to pass the online exam after completing an online training course. Upon completing the training course and passing the exam, graduates will 30 Professional Competency Units from the Management Strategy Institute as well as an official MSI Certification in the mail. 

Learn more: CQEP

12. American Marketing Association PCM: Professional Certified Marketer

This may go without saying, but being a successful event professional requires a deep and expansive knowledge of marketing strategies. Some event organizers may not even realize how much marketing knowledge they possess until they’ve been in the industry a few years. Being an expert marketer is very much in line with being a skilled event marketer, so it only makes sense to seek marketing certifications on top of event planning classes.

What Is PCM certification? 

The American Marketing Association is known for its highly respected Professional Certified Marketing program that encompasses various tracks. The program offers three different certifications.

1. Digital Marketing: This certification signifies one’s expertise on a range of digital marketing topics such as email marketing, SEO, metrics, conversions, and more. Being a PCM in digital marketing will help expand one’s knowledge of digital event promotion strategies.
2. Content Marketing: An event itself is a form of content for attendees to consume so it only makes sense for event professionals to have a firm grasp on content marketing. Receiving this certification will result in a deeper understanding of key topics such as multi-channel content creation, using content for lead generation, and content marketing ROI.
3. Marketing Management: This may be the most relevant certification for event professionals as it encompasses an overview of various marketing ideas such as value creation, marketing evaluation, communication, and understanding the marketplace. Earning a PCM certification in Marketing Management provides a solid foundation of marketing skills for event organizers

How To Become PCM Certified

The certification process for each track is the same. Candidates take must study for and take an online exam that will grant the certification upon passing. Each of these exams covers the respective area of expertise. Depending on what one is looking to improve upon regarding their skill set, these certifications provide a solid marketing foundation that will elevate one’s event organizing capabilities.

Learn more: PCM

Bonus VEMM: Virtual Event & Meeting Management

Today’s event and meeting management professionals have to have the skills necessary to plan and execute both live and virtual events. Issued by the Event Leadership Institute (ELI) in partnership with MPI, this six-week course and certificate are for current event management professionals who would like to broaden their knowledge of event planning in the virtual space.

Putting an Event Planning Certification Into Practice

Once an event planner has obtained an event planning certification,  it’s important to leverage it in order to advance one’s career. In our article on LinkedIn Profile tips for planners, we discuss how displaying an event planning certification or certifications in the header of your LinkedIn profile is a great way to immediately attract attention from potential clients or employers. Here are some other places to place your certification upon receiving it:

• Business card
• Resume/CV
• Personal website
• Email signature

Certified event managers who have received one or multiple certifications should also be sure to stay up-to-date with the organizations that are responsible for granting them. Often organizations like ISES maintain active local chapters where event planners can come together to network and share best practices.

Earning a certification is just the first step to becoming a better event organizer. Once a planner has obtained certification, it’s time to use the new credential to full effectiveness in order to grow professionally.

Editor’s Note: This blog was originally published in March 2016 and has been updated for relevance.