Becoming a Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP) indicates a person's expertise in the preparation and execution of special events. Since 1993, the CSEP designation has conveyed credibility and a competitive edge when marketing or soliciting business.

The CSEP exam elevates special event industry standards and practices based on your understanding of the material covered in the content outline. There are four parts:

1. Development Phase (27 percent): Determine event purpose, goals and objectives, risk assessment.

2. Pre-production Phase (45 percent): Create timelines, production schedules.

3. Production Phase (20 percent): Implement production schedule and communications.

4. Post-production Phase (8 percent): Determine ROI, analyze and evaluate entire event management process.

The exam is computer-based. It is 4.5 hours long and consists of two parts: 100 multiple-choice questions and a written essay portion. The written portion, the only one of its kind, is designed to measure an individual's application of knowledge and skills by those with real-life experiences in this role.

You are asked to choose between two event scenarios. From this, you are asked eight to 12 questions that address the entire event process. By applying real-life event application in combination with key components of the content outline, you will have your answers. Three current CSEPs score the written portion of the exam, whereas Schroeder Measurement Technologies Inc. (SMT) scores the multiple-choice questions.

1. Qualify for the exam; you must have a minimum of three years of full-time professional employment in the special events industry.

2. Fill out and submit an online application.

3. Once approved, the exam is offered four times a year in 15-day windows from the 15th through 30th in January, April, July and October. You can take the exam at a testing site of your choosing on a day that is most convenient to your schedule.

4. Review the content outline.

5. Take the exam.

6. Await your results!

Pursuing the CSEP is worth the effort. Good luck!

Name: Marie Caci, CMP, CPCE, CSEP

Company: Marie Caci Event & Association Management

Address: 399 Sea St., Suite B

Quincy, MA 02169

Phone: 617/688-2759

Email: marie@mariecaci.com

Web: www.mariecaci.com

Website: www.mariecaci.com

Next Page: ISES Editorial Team and Staff