2.2.12 Certified Event Practitioner

Description

The “Certified Event Practitioner” designation signifies an individual’s comprehensive commitment to a career in events management. An event practitioner will generally supervise an event and perform tasks such as finding and booking venues, liaising with clients and suppliers, handling logistics, managing budgets and invoicing, organising accreditation, managing risk, and presenting post-event reports. The candidate will have well-developed interpersonal skills and will have displayed an ability to conduct themselves with professional behaviour. The practitioner will be competent in event administration, marketing and event planning. The designation also demonstrates the event practitioner’s commitment to continuing professional development in the events industry.

Benefits

Become a member of SACIA and use the designatory letters CEP behind their name

Offer employers and colleagues assurance of commitment to the events industry

Be listed on the National Learners’ Record Database

Qualifying criteria

The candidate should hold a relevant NQF-level 6 qualification in tourism, hospitality, event management or similar. Examples of a relevant qualification might include a Diploma in Event Management (qualification 111019, 93877, 63054, 80526, 101217 or 86606)

Individuals in full-time employment need to demonstrate at least three year’s relevant work experience. Individuals working on a freelance basis need to demonstrate 105 working days during each working year.

Assessment

Applicants must write and pass a qualifying examination, and provide a portfolio of evidence supporting their claim of competence. The Portfolio of Evidence is independently assessed by the SACIA certification council. More information about the exam content is provided at Event Management. The exam can be accessed at Designation Exams. There is no single course or publication that will help you prepare for the examination - nor are you required to attend any SACIA training in preparation for the exam. 

Preparing a portfolio of evidence

There is no definitive list of documents that should appear within the portfolio but generally it would include:

• A detailed CV including a list of events you have worked on.
• Testimonials and letters of recommendation supporting your claim of knowledge, experience and competence.
• A list of any awards or commendations you've received.
• Any other documents that support your claim of competence.

We don't have a template for the reference letters because we are looking for a positive endorsement written by someone familiar with your work, character, and accomplishments. Anybody you ask to provide a reference letter is going to know more about you than we do. Providing them with a template will only restrict them from providing an endorsement that is authentic.

We’d suggest their letter cover the values and principles associated with SACIA membership described in the Code of Professional Conduct, but even this suggestion is tempered by a greater need for the testimonial to be an authentic endorsement of your skills and attributes.

We’ve asked for more than one reference letter and what we don’t want, is two (or more) identical letters signed by different signatories. We’re looking for authentic inputs – and that’s an inherently personal input from people familiar with your work.

Recognition of Prior Learning

SACIA’s certification council recognise that many of the applicants for this designation will not hold an underlying NQF-level 6 qualification. The Council will encourage individual’s lacking such a qualification to apply for a professional designation if they can demonstrate additional work experience. Individuals working on a freelance basis should demonstrate that they have worked a minimum 105 days in each year. For more information see the RPL page

Designation competencies

Individuals wanting to earn the Certified Event Manager designation should demonstrate their competence working across more than three event formats.

They should also demonstrate:

1. A detailed knowledge of the fields, disciplines and practices of event management, including an understanding and ability to apply the key terms, concepts, facts, general principles, rules and theories applicable to event management. The candidate should also have detailed knowledge of the national and international events industry and be able to identify event venues and genres. They should also demonstrate practical experience in creating an event experience, including the management of catering, décor, entertainment, theme design and production.

2. An understanding of different forms of knowledge, schools of thought and forms of explanation relating to the sphere of event management. The candidate should demonstrate detailed knowledge of health and safety regulations, standards, bylaws and practices insofar as these relate to the events industry.

3. Their ability to select and apply standard methods, procedures or techniques applicable to event management, and to plan and manage an implementation process within a well-defined and supported events environment. The candidate should be able to develop a project plan to manage the people, products and services that will be brought together on-site to produce the event project, as well as a clear understanding of the roles, responsibilities, applications and manoeuvres associated with each.

4. The ability to identify, analyse and solve problems in unfamiliar contexts and event environments, gathering evidence and applying solutions based on evidence and procedures appropriate to a variety of events.

5. An understanding of the ethical implications of decisions and actions within an organisational context, based on an awareness of the complexity of ethical dilemmas that apply in the events industry.

6. The ability to evaluate different sources of information appropriate to event management, and to apply well-developed processes of analysis, synthesis and evaluation on that information. The candidate should also be able to allocate, direct and control resources used in an event project to ensure that these resources are utilised in the most efficient and effective manner to benefit the event project and limit its risks.

7. The ability to communicate complex information reliably, accurately and coherently, using a range of formats and technologies. The candidate should be able to manage the unique buyer-seller relationship associated with an intangible product to maintain positive customer relations.

8. The ability to make decisions and act appropriately in familiar and new contexts and environments relevant to the events industry. The candidate should also demonstrate an understanding of the relationships between systems, and of how actions, ideas or developments in one system impact on other systems. The candidate should also demonstrate their understanding of risk factors impacting an event, as well as risk mitigation strategies that can be applied to reduce risks inherent to the events industry.

9. The ability to work effectively in a team or group, and to take responsibility for his or her decisions and actions,as well as the decisions and actions of others such as contractors and staff working during the build-up, duration and break-down of an event.

Application Process

The Application Form is completed and submitted to SACIA for processing, together with the required supporting documentation. This includes the registration fee.

Candidates are notified of outcome of evaluation

Successful candidates are Certified, and their name is added to the National Learners Records Database

Continuing professional development (CPD) requirements

Designated members are required to:

• maintain annual membership of SACIA
• pay an annual certification fee to SACIA
• subscribe to the SACIA code of professional conduct
• comply with the CPD requirements as stipulated by SACIA

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