Re: CSEP Certification: Learn More, Pay Less (Before Month-End)
- Charmaine Pajar
- 12 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Level Up. Get Certified. Save $100.
This May, we’re celebrating National Certification Month by spotlighting the power of professional growth through the Certified Special Event Professional (CSEP) designation. As the global standard in event excellence, the CSEP recognizes event pros who demonstrate deep knowledge, strategic thinking, and creative leadership in the live events industry. Whether you're looking to elevate your career, build trust with clients, or stand out in a competitive market, the CSEP is your next step forward.
Get $100 off your application fee today with code NEWMAYCERT
CSEP Member Highlight
Katie Belena, CSEP, Director of Events at Entire Productions, opens up about her certification journey and why it was worth every minute!
"Studying for the CSEP forced me to zoom out—it was actually something I had been saying I wanted to earn for YEARS and just kept making excuses to not pull the trigger. It’s easy to get tunnel vision when you’re in the trenches of planning. When I finally carved out the time, the prep made me reevaluate our systems, vendor relationships, budgets, risk management strategies—you name it.
It’s not about the letters behind your name—it’s about what they represent: mastery, commitment, and professionalism. Clients and industry partners respect it. Team members are inspired by it. And in the big picture, it elevates the perception of our entire industry--we're not just "party planners"—there is data and science and, frankly, magic behind what we do.
The process itself was like a professional audit: it made me pause, reflect, and retool how I approach everything from logistics to leadership.
What surprised me most? How much I grew just by preparing. I revisited foundational knowledge, filled in gaps I didn’t even know I had, and came out the other side sharper, faster, and more intentional.
The CSEP gave me more than a credential—it gave me a internal validation. After I shared the news on my LinkedIn, so many fellow industry professionals and clients took notice and congratulated me and asked about the process--it was such a nice feeling to be able to share my experience with them and encourage their own CSEP quest.
If you’re curious about whether it’s worth it, I’d say this: if you’re already doing the work, why not own your expertise?"
