The hospitality industry includes a wide range of professions that work together to provide customers with a comprehensive service. Professions involved in this industry include food service, event management and hotel services, which contribute to the competitiveness of the industry. Earning hospitality certifications can help individuals distinguish themselves from others with similar experiences and increase a potential employer's interest. In this article, we discuss what hospitality certifications are and describe 23 certifications you can pursue to increase your competitiveness in the hospitality industry.
What are hospitality certifications?
Hospitality certifications are industry-tested credentials that verify an individual's experience and expertise within the hospitality industry. Each certification can highlight an aspect of expertise with hospitality processes, software and other hospitality practices. Because of the competitive market for hospitality positions, certifications can also help candidates distinguish themselves from others pursuing hospitality positions.
Why are hospitality certifications important?
Hospitality certifications can help potential employers verify your skills, experience and dedication to the hospitality industry. Employers may use candidate certification to decide between candidates with similar professional backgrounds. Certifications can also help individuals pursue promotions or transition to new positions within the industry. Many professionals who are new entrants to the industry obtain certifications to show their willingness to learn more about hospitality management. Those who have multiple years of experience pursue certifications to acknowledge their experience in the industry.
23 helpful hospitality certifications
Review this list of 23 hospitality certifications you can pursue to help advance your hospitality career:
1. Certified in Exhibition Management (CEM)
Hospitality professionals earn this certification to demonstrate their skill at coordinating and managing a facility's exhibitions or events. This certification covers aspects such as meeting management, consumer show management, digital events management, event marketing and exhibition fundamentals. This certification remains current for three years. Recertification specifications include pursuing continued education, participating in leadership activities or earning a bachelor's or advanced degree.
2. Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME)
Senior destination marketing professionals typically complete this certification to enhance their destination management strategies. This program covers topics such as strategic obstacles, destination marketing and sales, leadership and advocacy or community relation strategies. This certification remains current for four years. To earn recertification, individuals might pursue 40 hours of continuing education credits.
3. Digital Event Strategist (DES)
Professionals who complete this certification program use it to highlight their digital event experience and skills. This program tests knowledge of digital event types, business plans, financial strategies, audience engagement techniques, event production practices and digital and social media marketing. The DES certification is valid for two years. Individuals can achieve recertification if they complete 20 hours of new virtual or digital-related coursework.
4. Collegiate Conference and Events Professional (CCEP)
Individuals who earn this certification have multiple years of experience managing conferences and events. This certification highlights a professional's knowledge of event coordination, conference management and leadership fundamentals in a collegiate setting. The CCEP certification is good for three years. Individuals can achieve recertification by completing additional education, experience or service to the industry.
5. Certified Professional in Catering and Events (CPCE)
An individual can obtain this certification to show employers, clients and other professionals verification of their knowledge in catering and event management. This program certifies knowledge in areas such as accounting, beverage management, catering, contract negotiation, food production, event management, human resources and sales. This certification remains current for five years but can be renewed with 30 hours of additional educations credits.
6. Certified Venue Executive (CVE)
This certification helps an individual highlight their expertise in all aspects of venue management. Managers to executives of public assembly facilities pursue this certification to reaffirm their abilities in managing operations, resources, personnel and operational risk. This certification stays current for three years. Individuals can achieve recertification if they show continued involvement in venue events, pursue continued education, teach venue education programs or take part in professional organizations.
7. Certification in Meeting Management (CMM)
This certification instructs hospitality specialists on business management, leadership and meeting management abilities. Some qualifications for this certification include having seven or more years of experience in the meeting or event industry and three or more years of management experience. There's no expiration for this certification or renewal requirements.
8. Certified Hospitality Revenue Manager (CHRM)
This certification validates the expertise of a revenue manager and teaches individuals how to manage revenue to maximize profits. Some foundational concepts taught during this certifications coursework include pricing, inventory management, market strategies and market competitiveness. This certification is valid for five years. Individuals can pursue recertification if they have professional experience, additional coursework or if they've attended industry-related seminars.
9. Destination Management Certified Professional (DMCP)
This certification reinforces an individual's knowledge regarding destination management principles. Some common aspects tested in this certification program include program management, food and beverage coordination, exhibition management, program design, site inspection and vendor management. This certification is valid for five years. Individuals can achieve recertification if they pursue additional education and remain active in the hospitality industry.
10. Certified Hospitality Supervisor (CHS)
This globally recognized certification is useful for individuals pursuing leadership roles in a hospitality company. It develops and proves an individual's abilities in leadership, conflict resolution, staffing, scheduling, time management and other leadership skills. This certification is valid for five years. Individuals can pursue additional coursework or attend seminars to meet recertification prerequisites.
11. Certified Hospitality Digital Marketer (CHDM)
Hospitality marketers can complete this certification online or in person to display their marketing experience and skills. This program expands on owned media, earned media, paid media and how to measure marketing performance. Individuals wanting to remain current with this certification should pursue recertification every two years. Individuals can recertify by participating in digital marketing events.
12. Certified Association Executive (CAE)
Business executives or experienced leaders often pursue this certification to certify their expertise in managing an association. This certification includes areas such as strategic management, membership development, leadership, administration and marketing fundamentals. This certification is current for three years. Recertification specifications include continued education, industry experience, participation in leadership activities or publications about association management topics.
13. Certified Hospitality Sales Professional (CHSP)
Hospitality associates may pursue this certification as they gain sales and revenue generation experience. This certification shows an individual's expertise in marketing and revenue management and expands on current sales trends and techniques. This certification is good for five years but can be renewed with professional experience, professional development activities or additional educational opportunities.
14. Certified Speaking Professional (CSP)
Industry officials award this certification to the top 10% of professional speakers to show their ability to inform and influence others through effective presentation skills. This certification validates an individual's expertise in communication, presentation and public speaking abilities. It's current for five years but can be renewed with additional public speaking education.
15. Certified Rooms Division Executive (CRDE)
Room division managers, such as front desk staff and reservation specialists, pursue this certification after several years of experience in management or leadership positions. This program certifies an individual's skills in staff management, organizational communication, quality assurance and conflict resolution. This certification is valid for five years. To achieve recertification, individuals can maintain their industry standings, pursue additional education or gain industry experience.
16. Business Value of Meetings certification (BVOM)
This certification is for professionals who want to understand more about how to measure the value of business meetings. This course also teaches financial literacy and how to set goals that help enhance their organization's performance. Individuals wanting to remain current with this certification can complete additional education courses and maintain their Meeting Professionals International (MPI) membership.
17. Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP)
This certification validates the expertise of a special events planner. It develops and tests an individual's skills and knowledge of industry practices and standards for special event management. This certification is valid for five years. The recertification process requires continued education, industry experience and contribution to the CSEP community.
18. Certified Hospitality Department Trainer (CHDT)
This program helps training managers, leaders and supervisors develop skills and effective training techniques. Professionals in this program learn more about job skills, safety procedures and various hospitality policies. This certification is current for five years. Individuals can achieve recertification with additional education and industry involvement.
19. Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA)
Many hospitality professionals, such as managers or hotel executives, get this certification as they gain experience and seek advancement in hospitality management. Some topics covered during this program include financial management, human resources, marketing, sales and room management. CHA certifications are current for five years. Recertification may be earned through continuing education, professional development, industry involvement and professional experience.
20. Certified Government Meeting Professional (CGMP)
Planners and suppliers who are regulated by the federal government pursue this certification to validate their skills and experience in conducting government meetings. This certification tests knowledge surrounding government regulations, contract creation and meeting management. This certification remains current for three years. The recertification process requires continued involvement in government meetings by tracking and submitting meeting hours prior to certification deadlines.
21. Certified Hotel Asset Manager (CHAM)
This is an advanced certification available only to accomplished hotel asset management professionals. It validates the skills and knowledge required for managing a hotel investment strategy. This certification is valid for five years. Designees are automatically reconsidered for recertification based on their accomplishments over the previous five-year period.
22. Certified Restaurant Manager (CRM)
This certification can develop essential skills in food and beverage management and verify this restaurant industry management expertise. Some topics learned during this coursework include employee hiring and training, purchasing and safety regulations. This certification remains current for five years but may be renewed with professional experience or additional coursework.
23. Tourism and Hospitality Management certification
This certification prepares students for employment in the tourism and hospitality industry and helps them advance from entry-level positions into supervisory roles. It teaches customer service, operational accommodations skills and food service qualifications. This certification is useful for entry-level hospitality professionals wanting to expand their knowledge about tourism and hospitality industries.
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