CEPA is a special interest group within SACIA representing event industry professionals working across multiple event genres, including business, entertainment and sport.

The Council was originally formed as a three-way partnership between the Exhibition and Event Association of Southern Africa (EXSA), the International Festivals and Events Association (IFEA) Africa and the Southern African Association for the Conference Industry (SAACI). It was incorporated into SACIA in 2019.

Under SACIA’s leadership and governance structures, the organisation has developed three professional designations:

• The Certified Event Associate designation is awarded to individuals able to demonstrate their broad understanding of event management.

• The Certified Event Practitioner designation is awarded to individuals able to demonstrate their comprehensive understanding of event management, and

• The Certified Event Professional designation is awarded to individuals able to demonstrate their deep understanding of event management.

Individuals applying for a designation are assessed based on a review of their education, work experience and work ethic. Candidates are also required to write an examination and provide a portfolio of evidence supporting their claim of competence. They also require several year’s professional experience. These examinations are conducted by the SACIA Certification Council, which guides and administer all aspects of our certification programme. The tests are written online at a time and place convenient to the individual member. The exam questions are constantly under review and improvement, and have been checked by an academic panel comprising academics from the Central University of Technology, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Tshwane University of Technology, Invictus Education Group, Varsity College, the Aleit Academy and the Get Smarter Education Institute.

The exam content covers 25 competencies listed within a competency framework (Event Management Body of Knowledge) that covers event administration, event management, event design, event operations, event marketing and event risk.

Members are required to adhere to a code of conduct that guides their actions and are expected to align their professional activities and practices to the legislation, standards and bylaws applicable to the events industry. Members are also required to participate in a programme of continuing professional development (CPD) that keeps them up to date with the trends and technologies shaping the future of event management across the SADC region.

The Council is elected from amongst those SACIA members involved in event management and each member serves for a 2-year period. Current council members include Glenn van Eck , Rudi van der Vyver (chair), Lisa Welthagen, Mulemwa Moongwa (vice chair), Alain Dalais and Chad Botha. Kevan Jones serves as Executive Director.