company based in Austin, Texas, the CSEP
designation gives her reassurance that she isn’t
a “poser” when it comes to event production.
“Our industry is plagued with the image
of “party planners” doing something that
“anyone can do,” partially because the barriers
to entry are so low, and because you don’t
need a degree in event production to do
event production, the way other professions
have degrees - such as accounting, law and
medicine,” she says. “For this reason, when I
started my company, I felt like a “poser” myself
for a while.”
That changed in 2005 when she earned her
CSEP. “Now I knew I was the real deal, and knew
my stuff - the CSEP was a way I differentiated
myself from the competition,” she says.
In fact, knowing your “stuff” is what CSEP is all
about. The program was developed to increase
the proficiency of event professionals, elevate
industry standards and practices, establish the
level of knowledge and performance necessary
for certification, promote the advancement
of the special events industry, advance the
careers of practitioners, and acknowledge the
high caliber work of CSEPs and the value of the
products and services they provide.
As the only certification within the meetings/
incentives/conventions/expositions industry
that signifies knowledge in all facets of the
special events industry, CSEP conveys credibility
and a competitive edge when marketing or
soliciting business.
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include as king about their business practices,
possibly obtaining a referral and ultimately
finding some measurable benchmark to aid in
qualifying that individual,” says Talarico. “The
CSEP designation is a qualitative indicator
which helps differentiate those candidates
in the meetings and special event industry
because it is based upon an individual’s
practical working knowledge and performance
skills, not just factual recall.”
While the designation alone isn’t going to
get you the job, it is a differentiator and
demonstrates to customers a commitment to
the highest ethical, operational and knowledge
based standards in the industry. “Using the
CSEP as part of a company’s overall marketing
strategy is a wise decision for any business
looking to show a commitment to ongoing
education as the meetings and special events
industry continues to evolve,” adds Talarico.
The CSEP exam, which is offered four times
a year in 15-day windows, is only offered to
approved candidates. To qualify, one must
have a minimum of three years of full-time
professional employment in the special events
industry.
“It’s a tough and comprehensive exam; and I’m
okay with that,” says Tracy Moran, CSEP, Senior
Vice President with Griffin Communications.
“Inexperienced event professionals should not
be able to pass and earn this designation until
they learn and grow though experience and
education.”
“If someone has their CSEP, it proves to us that
they take this career seriously and truly have
the qualifications we are looking for,” says
Posavatz. “It makes the hiring decision easier
for us, because it eliminates an unknown.” Moran sat for the CSEP at the Conference for
Professional Development (now ILEA Live) in
Sydney, Australia in 2002. For Moran, earning
CSEP allowed her to be a more confident event
professional and help elevate the perception
of the profession.
Lenny Talarico, CSEP, CHE, the Executive
Director of Events with MGM Resorts Event
Productions, has held the CSEP designation
since 2005. Talarico concurs with the idea
that the CSEP designation helps during the
recruiting process. “A CSEP should have a well-rounded,
comprehensive understanding of the entire
event planning and execution process, no
matter what the role is you play. Understanding
the full picture allows you to be a better partner
with both your clients and your vendors.”
“When hiring any professional it is always a wise
decision to do your research. Obvious ways To learn more about ILEA’s CSEP and upcoming
exam windows, visit www.ileahub.com/CSEP
Photo credit: Lisa Hause