Although event planning is not among the careers that require a license, earning one (or more) recognized certifications will still be important for event professionals in 2024. Reasons for this include:
- For independent planners . . . it enhances their personal brand and value by providing assurance to prospective clients that they possess extensive event industry knowledge and experience.
- For corporate event marketers . . . one or more certifications can make a resume stand out from the rest—and an increasing number of enterprises actually require their event staff to be certified, in order to consider them a legitimate candidate for a role.
- For all event professionals . . . event planners often work with large budgets, large crowds, and significant risk—making certification and the expertise it represents critical. And of course, certification-holding event professionals often make more money than their non-certified counterparts. But we’ll leave that research to you.
Below is a list of the top 10 certifications for event professionals going into 2024. If you find this article valuable, please share it with your colleagues and on your social channels. Here goes:
Certified Meetings Professional (CMP)
The Certified Meetings Professional (CMP) certification, administered by the Events Industry Council (EIC), is a prestigious designation for event professionals. The designation is structured as a comprehensive assessment of a meeting planner's knowledge and skills in various aspects of event management, including event design, logistics, budgeting, and strategic planning. The CMP sets rigorous standards for the industry,and to maintain it certified professionals must engage in ongoing professional development and education, meeting renewal requirements to stay current with industry best practices, trends, and innovations. L
Certificate in Meeting Management (CMM)
The Certification in Meeting Management (CMM), administered by Meeting Professionals International (MPI), is a prestigious certification program designed to provide in-depth knowledge and expertise in the field of meeting management. Structured to encompass strategic planning, financial management, negotiation skills, and other critical areas, the CMM program equips professionals with the tools and insights necessary to plan and execute meetings and events at the highest standards. While there are no renewal requirements, CMM-holders participate in ongoing professional development and education to ensure they remain at the forefront of industry practices and innovations.
Certified Trade Show Marketer (CTSM)
The Certified Trade Show Marketer (CTSM) certification, administered by Exhibitor Media Group, is a specialized and highly structured program tailored for professionals in the trade show and event marketing industry. The CTSM program is structured to cover a wide range of topics, including exhibit marketing, budgeting, design, and data analysis. To maintain CTSM certification, professionals are required to engage in ongoing learning and development, accumulating renewal units through courses, workshops, and industry-related activities. And all CTSM holders have the option of adding up to four upgrades onto their core certification over time.
Digital Event Strategist (DES)
The Digital Event Strategist (DES) certification, administered by the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA), is a specialized program that equips professionals with the knowledge and skills to excel in the world of digital and hybrid events. Structured to cover a wide range of topics, including virtual event design, technology integration, engagement strategies, and ROI measurement, the DES program is a valuable resource for those involved in the digital event landscape. To maintain the DES certification, professionals must engage in ongoing education and professional development, ensuring they stay current with emerging digital event trends and best practices.
Pandemic Meeting and Event Design Certificate (PMED)
The Pandemic Meeting and Event Design (PMED) Certificate, administered by The Event Leadership Institute (ELI), is a specialized program developed to equip event planners and organizers with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the complexities of planning and executing events in a pandemic-influenced world. The PMED certification program is structured to provide comprehensive training in health and safety protocols, risk assessment, crisis management, virtual and hybrid event design, and contingency planning—all critical skills for today's event planning professional.
Certified Event Designer (CED)
The Certified Event Designer (CED) designation, administered by the Event Design Collective, is a distinctive program designed for event planners and professionals looking to elevate their expertise in creating immersive and innovative event experiences. The CED certification is structured to encompass design thinking, creative ideation, storytelling, sensory elements, and the integration of technology to craft unique and memorable events. This credential sets event planners apart by emphasizing creativity and innovation in a competitive industry, making it a valuable asset for those who aim to stand out and delight clients and attendees.
Certification in Exhibition Management (CEM)
The Certification in Exhibition Management (CEM), administered by the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE), is a distinguished program tailored for professionals in the exhibition and trade show industry. Created in 1975 to raise professional standards within the industry, The CEM program is structured to cover a wide range of topics, including exhibition management, marketing, strategic planning, and logistical coordination. To maintain the CEM certification, professionals are required to engage in ongoing education and professional development, accumulating renewal units through courses, workshops, and industry-related activities.
Certified Quality Event Planner (CQEP)
The Certified Quality Event Planner (CQEP) designation, developed and issued exclusively through the Management and Strategy Institute (MSI), is designed to show that an individual possesses the skills to effectively run very large corporate and professional events. The focus of the CQEP is on ensuring exceptional standards of execution. The program typically covers event design, logistics, risk management, vendor selection, and attendee experience. Renewal requirements involve ongoing education and professional development, along with periodic recertification to guarantee that certified event planners stay current with industry best practices and the latest trends.
Certified Event Planning Specialist (CEPS)
The Certified Event Planning Specialist (CEPS) credential from the National Career Certification Board (NCCB) is a great place to start for new event planners—it's an entry-level designation that prepares individuals for a rewarding career as an Event Planning Professional. The program typically includes comprehensive training in areas such as event logistics, vendor coordination, budget management, and creative event design.
Project Management Professional (PMP)
The Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, administered by the Project Management Institute (PMI), is a globally recognized credential that validates a professional's knowledge and expertise in project management. Structured around a body of knowledge, the PMP certification covers key areas like project initiation, planning, execution, monitoring and controlling, and closure. While it might not be specific to event planning, the PMP certification can be highly beneficial for event planners, as it equips them with essential project management skills, enabling them to efficiently plan, execute, and control all aspects of events—as well as enhances their ability to complete complex projects, manage budgets, mitigate risks, and ensure successful event outcomes.
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