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Guide to Association andMeeting IndustryCertifications

IntroductionThis guide was developed for association and meeting professionals seeking a resource that can directthem to the right certification or certificate program based on years of experience, core skill set andcareer progression. Too often young and seasoned professionals spend hours searching various websites and message boards trying to find the right program to show their commitment to the industry aswell as their own desire to set themselves apart from their peers who do not pursue an industrycertification or certificate program.There are more than 30 certification and certificate programs maintained and administered byprofessional and trade associations. This guide is not comprehensive of all industry certifications orcertificate programs, but will be updated regularly. The guide is designed to provide you, the associationand meeting professional with a single source of information. Once you find the certification orcertificate program that best meets your needs you will be directed to that sponsoring organization formore information about the process of applying and maintaining the certification or certificate.An important process to start early is tracking your professional development activities toward yourrecertification requirements or for employment purposes. The Association and Meeting ProfessionalsAdvancement Portal powered by RecertTrack provide such a portal and was designed specifically forprofessionals in the association, convention, meeting, event and exhibition industry. You can access theportal at http://www.recerttrack.com/assn-meetings.If you find errors or certification or certificate programs that are not housed in this Guide please contactthe RecertTrack Team directly at 301-452-5846 or email us at suggestions@recerttrack.com. This is afree downloadable resource for the industry. At RecertTrack, we believe every association, convention,meeting, event and exhibition professional deserves access to information from a single source. Wewant to be that source for you.A. Cedric Calhoun, FASAE, CAEFounder & CEO, RecertTrackImportant information and termsA certification program is designed to test the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform aparticular job, and, upon successfully passing a certification exam, to represent a declaration of aparticular individual’s professional competence. In some professions, certification is a requirement foremployment or practice.2

Similarly, licensure tests an individual’s competence but is a mandatory process by which thegovernment grants time-limited permission for that licensed individual to practice his or her profession.In contrast to certification and licensure, an assessment-based certificate program is an educational ortraining program that is used to teach learning objectives and assess whether those objectives wereachieved by the student.Accreditation is the process by which a credentialing or educational program is evaluated againstdefined standards and is awarded recognition if it is in compliance with those standards.The above information was inserted to educate you on the differences in the programs you seek andmake you a better consumer at the same time.A Special Thank You to our SupportersThe Guide to Association and Meeting Industry Certification by RecertTrack was supported by 5 primaryorganizations representing the meetings, travel, exhibitions and events industries in the U.S. andInternationally. Industry partners include CUT Communications, International Association of Exhibitionsand Events, Barcelona Turisme Convention Bureau, Association Management International andcustomade Events.3

Table of ContentsIntroduction 2Eligibility Requirements, Body of Knowledge/Exam Content /Core Competencies and RecertificationRequirements will be documented for each Industry Certification or Certificate Program listedAmerican Hotel & Lodging Educational InstituteCertified Hotel Administrator (CHA) .6Certified Rooms Division Executive (CRDE) .9Certified Hospitality Revenue Manager (CHRM) . 11Certified Food & Beverage Executive (CFBE) .13Certified Hospitality Housekeeping Executive (CHHE) .16Certified Hospitality Facilities Executive (CHFE) 17Certified Lodging Security Director (CLSD) .19Certified Hospitality Trainer (CHT) .20Certified Hospitality Sales Professional (CHSP) .22Certified Master Hotel Supplier (CMHS) .23Certified Hospitality Educator (CHE) .24ASAE & The Center for Association Leadership (ASAE)Certified Association Executive (CAE) .26Association of Destination Management Executives (ADME)Destination Management Certified Professional (DMCP) .37Convention Industry Council (CIC)Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) .40Global Business Travel AssociationGlobal Travel Professional (GTP) .44Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI)Certified Revenue Management Executive (CRME) .48International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE)Certified in Exhibition Management (CEM) .49International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM)Certified Facilities Executive (CFE) .71International Special Events Society (ISES)Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP) . 73National Association for Catering and Events (NACE)Certified Professional Catering Executive (CPCE) . .76Society of Government Meeting Planners (SGMP)Certified Government Meeting Professional (CGMP) . . .834

The Travel InstituteCertified Travel Industry Executive (CTIE) . .855

Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA) – American Hotel & Lodging EducationalInstituteBecause individual backgrounds vary widely in the hospitality industry, applicants may pursue the CHAdesignation through one of three options: Plan A emphasizes an education background; Plan Bemphasizes industry experience; and Plan C emphasizes early entry. All plans require documentedevidence of managerial experience and successful completion of a comprehensive examination. Plan A Eligibility -- Education Emphasiso At least a 2-year hospitality degree from an accredited institution or successfulcompletion of the Educational Institute's Hospitality Management Diploma and currentemployment as a general manager, owner/operator, or corporate executive* (seebelow) in a lodging hospitality company, with at least two years of full-time experiencein one or more such positions. Plan B Eligibility -- Experience Emphasiso Current employment as a general manager, owner/operator, or corporate executive*(see below) in a lodging hospitality company, with at least three years of full timeexperience in one or more such positions.o Educators Only: Currently teaching hospitality management courses on a full-time basisat an accredited academic institution; three years of experience in this capacity; threeyears of full-time experience in a management position in a lodging hospitalitycompany. Plan C Eligibility -- Early EntryPlan C requires a candidate to hold a qualifying position at the time of application. Plan C doesnot have an education requirement, but a degree will reduce the length of time you arerequired to spend in a qualifying position.Through Plan C you can begin working on your CHA designation and demonstrating your commitment toprofessional development the first day on the job. Plan C enables you to take the CHA certification testup to three times so you can gauge your progress and knowledge against an industry proven standard.You no longer need to wait to see if you meet the benchmark of industry quality. You can prove it, andpursue a strong professional development regimen. This plan will allow individuals who are in qualifyingpositions to pursue their certification even if they are lacking in experience.A Plan C candidate who is in a qualifying position: May sit for the examination BEFORE meeting the experience requirement.May take the examination up to 3 times.May sit for the examination while in the process of completing a hospitality degree.Will be required to submit documentation of employment at the time the experiencerequirement is met.6

*A corporate executive is defined as an individual, employed by a firm responsible for the operation ofthree or more properties, who serves as a regional or corporate director of operations, or has ultimatecorporate responsibility for rooms, marketing, accounting and finance, food and beverage, humanresources, or engineering.Outside the United States and CanadaOutside the United States and Canada, Professional Certification programs are managed by theEducational Institute's Hospitality Education Partners (HEP) licensees. If you are working in one of theHEP countries, and are interested in pursuing Professional Certification, please contact them directly.Click here for HEP country list and contact information.Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA) Body of Knowledge/Core CompetenciesCandidates for the Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA) professional certification can quiz their readinessfor the CHA exam with the new online CHA Assessment Tool available from the American Hotel &Lodging Educational Institute (EI).The CHA Assessment is an online diagnostic tool to help assess areas of hospitality knowledge, andprepare candidates prior to taking the CHA exam. It will help you gauge your expertise in the knowledgeand skills needed by today’s general managers.The CHA Assessment Tool consists of six 30-question quizzes that correlate to the six sections of the CHAstudy guide. These knowledge domains include: Financial ManagementSales and MarketingLeadership ManagementHuman Resources ManagementRooms ManagementFood and Beverage ManagementEach assessment is a short quiz that can be completed within a limited time period. After completion ofthe quiz, an evaluation report indicating your score and skill level against the required benchmark isgenerated and made available to you.Each 30-question quiz targets a specific knowledge domain with questions similar in format and contentto those contained on the CHA exam. The assessment also: provides valuable feedback including a review of missed items answered and a detailedperformance report.provides instant feedback on incorrect answers.7

identifies where the information may be found in the study guide for further review.After completion of the quiz, which contains questions similar in format and content to those in the CHAexam, candidates receive an evaluation report indicating their score and skill level against the requiredbenchmarks. The assessment includes a detailed performance report and a review of missed questions.It also identifies where the correct information may be found in the CHA study guide for further review. 120 days of access to the diagnostic toolThree opportunities to practice each sectionAssessment report after each useCertified Hotel Administrator (CHA) Recertification RequirementsMAINTENANCE REQUIREMENT: A minimum of 60 points within FIVE years of the CHA MaintenanceEnrollment Date.CATEGORY 1: Professional Experience (18 points minimum/30 points maximum)CATEGORY 2: Continuing Education (5 points minimum/25 points maximum)CATEGORY 3: Industry-Related Professional Involvement (5 points minimum/25 points maximum)CATEGORY 4: Educational Service (no minimum/20 points maximum)8