Requirements, Fees and How to Apply

Requirements of the CEM Learning Program

The nine-part CEM adult learning and certification program is designed to provide industry professionals an in-depth understanding of the overall operations of the industry.

New candidates must have three (3) years of full-time experience in the exhibitions and events industry.
Candidates may choose any nine (9) out of the twelve (12) courses offered to complete the CEM Learning Program. Each course has a corresponding examination that must be taken and passed within 90 days of the course date.
Candidates have three (3) years in which to complete all nine (9) courses and exams.
The candidate’s start date is the date that the first exam is passed and all requirements must be complete three (3) years from that date.

Need help convincing your boss for approval? Give your boss the CEM Learning Program Justification Presentation and get the thumbs up you need to apply!

Course Fees

On-Location Courses
(U.S. and Canada)

$299 per course for Members
$440 per course for Non-Members

Online Courses

$350 per course for Members
$605 per course for Non-Members

Total investment if all courses taken on-location for an IAEE Member:

Application Fee: $100
9 Courses: $299 x 9 = $2692
Total Cost: $2792

Total investment if all courses taken online for an IAEE Member:

Application Fee: $100
9 Courses: $350 x 9 = $3150
Total Cost: $3250

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How to Apply for CEM Designation

To begin the CEM Learning Program candidates must have at least three years experience in the exhibitions and events industry and complete an application. The application fee also includes a copy of The Art of the Show textbook which is the body of knowledge for all CEM Learning Program courses.

To submit an application, please go to http://members.iaee.com. Your default logon is your email address and your password is your first name + last name (all lower case, no spaces). The application is under the Certifications section.

An application fee is also required at the time the application is submitted ($100 for members/$125 for non-members). Once accepted into the program, you will receive the latest edition of the Art of the Show textbook as well as log in information to Blackboard, IAEE’s learning management system that houses all course materials. IAEE membership is not required for participation in the program but it is highly recommended.

CEM Week

Each year IAEE dedicates an entire week to presenting a variety of CEM courses. The courses are held on-location with our highly qualified and experienced CEM instructors. A majority of candidates take all five courses and come away with not only increased knowledge, but a new network. The 2019 course schedule is available here.

Contact Us

Email: cem@iaee.com
Phone (U.S.): +1 (972) 687-9224
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