Top 11 Banquet Manager Certifications

Certifications for a banquet manager are important in the job market because they demonstrate knowledge and experience in the field. Certification shows that an individual has taken the initiative to learn about industry best practices and standards, as well as how to effectively manage staff, plan events, and ensure customer satisfaction. Certified banquet managers are also better equipped to provide creative solutions for catering challenges. This can be a valuable asset to employers looking for experienced professionals who can help take their business or venue to the next level.

The purpose of this article is to review the top certifications for Banquet Managers and explain how they can help advance a banquet manager's career.

What are Banquet Manager Certifications?

Banquet manager certification is a professional designation that is awarded to individuals who have acquired the skills and knowledge necessary to manage banquets, events and other special occasions. It is designed to help professionals become more knowledgeable in the areas of planning, organizing, and executing successful events. The certification covers topics such as budgeting, catering, hospitality management, event marketing, customer service, and organizational leadership. By obtaining this certification, banquet managers can demonstrate their expertise and commitment to their profession.

The certification also provides a way for employers to select qualified candidates for positions in the field. Certified banquet managers tend to be more respected by peers and may gain access to better job opportunities and higher salaries than those without certification. Additionally, having this credential can help banquet managers stay ahead of industry trends as they are exposed to new strategies for event planning and management. Ultimately, banquet manager certification is an important tool for anyone looking to excel in the field of event planning or catering services.

Pro Tip: Before enrolling in a banquet manager certification program, make sure to research the institution offering the program. Look for accreditation from a reputable organization, such as the National Association of Catering and Events (NACE), to ensure that you are receiving quality instruction and a valuable credential.

Related: What does a Banquet Manager do?

Top 11 Banquet Manager Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Banquet Managers today.

1. Certified Professional Banquet Manager (CPBM)

Certified Professional Banquet Manager (CPBM) is a professional certification program designed to recognize the knowledge and skills of banquet managers. It is administered by the National Association of Catering Executives (NACE). The CPBM program consists of a comprehensive examination that tests the candidate’s knowledge in areas such as food and beverage management, event planning, customer service, and financial management.

It typically takes between two to three months to complete the CPBM program. To get certified, candidates must first submit an application to NACE and pay a fee. Once approved, they must complete five online courses covering topics such as food safety, menu planning, and event management. After completing the courses, candidates must pass a final exam with a score of 70% or higher.

The cost for the CPBM program is $595 USD for members of NACE or $795 USD for non-members. This includes all study materials as well as access to an online learning platform where candidates can take practice exams and receive feedback from instructors.

2. Certified Catering and Event Management Professional (CCEMP)

Certified Catering and Event Management Professional (CCEMP) is a certification program designed to recognize those who have the knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to manage catering and event planning operations. The CCEMP certification is offered through the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF).

The CCEMP program consists of three courses: Catering Sales & Marketing, Catering Operations & Management, and Event Planning & Execution. The courses are offered online or in-person at select locations. It typically takes about six months to complete all three courses.

To get certified, individuals must first complete the three required courses and pass the corresponding exams. After passing the exams, individuals must submit an application for certification along with their course transcripts and proof of work experience in catering or event management.

The cost of getting certified varies depending on the type of course taken (online or in-person). Online courses cost $299 per course while in-person courses cost $399 per course. In addition to these fees, there is also a one-time application fee of $100 for certification.

3. Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP)

Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP) is a certification program offered by the International Live Events Association (ILEA). It is designed to recognize event professionals who have achieved a high level of knowledge and experience in the event planning industry. The CSEP designation is a mark of distinction that demonstrates an individual’s commitment to excellence in the field of special events.

To become certified, applicants must meet certain criteria, including having at least three years of full-time work experience in the special events industry, and passing a comprehensive exam that covers topics such as event planning, marketing, budgeting, risk management, legal issues, and more.

The process for becoming certified can take up to one year from start to finish. Applicants must first submit their application and supporting documents to ILEA for review. Once approved, they will be given access to study materials and will be able to register for the CSEP exam. After passing the exam, applicants will receive their certificate and can begin using the CSEP designation on their resume or business cards.

The cost of becoming certified varies depending on whether you are an ILEA member or non-member. For non-members, it costs $350 USD to apply for certification; this fee includes access to study materials and registration for the exam. For members of ILEA, there is no application fee; however they must pay $250 USD for access to study materials and registration for the exam.

4. Certified Hospitality Event Planner (CHEP)

Certified Hospitality Event Planner (CHEP) is a professional certification offered by the International Association of Professional Event Planners (IAPEP). The CHEP designation is designed to recognize and validate the knowledge, skills, and abilities of hospitality event planners. It is intended to demonstrate that an individual has met a standard of excellence in the field of hospitality event planning.

It takes approximately six months to complete the certification process. To get certified, applicants must first complete an online application, which includes providing proof of their experience in the field, such as references from past employers or clients. After submitting the application, applicants must then pass a comprehensive exam that covers topics such as budgeting, marketing and promotion, event management, customer service and risk management.

The cost for obtaining the CHEP certification varies depending on whether you are already a member of IAPEP or not. If you are not a member yet, you will need to pay an initial fee of $125 plus an annual membership fee of $50. The total cost for obtaining the CHEP certification is approximately $600-$800 dollars including exam fees and other associated costs.

5. Certified Meeting Professional (CMP)

A Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) is a professional designation awarded by the Convention Industry Council (CIC) to meeting and event professionals who have demonstrated a high level of experience, knowledge, and expertise in the field. The CMP credential is recognized worldwide as the standard for excellence in meeting management.

The CMP program requires applicants to demonstrate their mastery of the core competencies of meeting management through a combination of education, experience, and examination. To qualify for certification, applicants must have three years of full-time paid experience in the meetings and events industry within the past five years prior to submitting an application.

The CMP exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions that cover topics such as meeting planning processes, risk management, legal issues, technology, finance and budgeting, customer service, marketing and promotion, site selection and contract negotiations. The exam takes approximately four hours to complete.

To obtain your CMP certification you must first submit an application with proof of your experience along with a nonrefundable fee of $450 USD ($375 USD for members). Once you are approved to take the exam you will be required to pay an additional fee of $350 USD ($300 USD for members). After passing the exam you will be granted your CMP certification which is valid for three years.

6. Certified Hospitality Supervisor (CHS)

Certified Hospitality Supervisor (CHS) is a professional certification program designed to recognize and validate the knowledge, skills, and abilities of hospitality supervisors. The CHS certification is awarded by the Educational Institute of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA).

The CHS program consists of an online course that covers topics such as customer service, communication, problem solving, conflict resolution, and human resources management. The course takes approximately 6-8 hours to complete. After completing the course, candidates must pass a proctored exam in order to receive their certification.

The cost for the CHS program is $299 USD. This fee includes access to the online course materials and the proctored exam. Once certified, individuals can use their CHS designation on resumes and job applications to demonstrate their knowledge and expertise in hospitality supervision.

7. Certified Hospitality Administrator (CHA)

The Certified Hospitality Administrator (CHA) is a professional certification program designed to recognize the knowledge, skills and abilities of those working in the hospitality industry. It is intended for individuals who have a minimum of five years of experience in the hospitality industry, or who have completed an accredited hospitality education program. The CHA certification is offered by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI).

To receive the CHA certification, applicants must pass an exam that covers topics such as hotel operations, customer service, food and beverage management, finance and accounting, human resources management, marketing and sales. The exam consists of multiple choice questions and takes approximately three hours to complete.

In order to be eligible for the CHA certification exam, applicants must first complete an AHLEI-approved training program or have at least five years of verifiable work experience in the hospitality industry. Applicants must also submit a completed application form with applicable fees.

The cost of applying for the CHA certification varies depending on whether you are taking an AHLEI-approved training program or not. If you are taking a training program, then there will be additional fees associated with it. If you are not taking a training program but have at least five years of verifiable work experience in the hospitality industry then there will only be an application fee which is currently $225 USD.

8. Certified Food and Beverage Executive (CFBE)

Certified Food and Beverage Executive (CFBE) is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals with expertise in the food and beverage industry. The CFBE certification is offered by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF). It is a comprehensive program that covers all aspects of the food and beverage industry, including operations, management, marketing, finance, human resources, safety, and nutrition.

The CFBE certification process typically takes about six months to complete. To become certified, applicants must first pass an online assessment that tests their knowledge of the food and beverage industry. Once they have passed this assessment, they must then submit an application for review by the NRAEF's Certification Board. This board will review the applicant's qualifications and work experience before making a decision on whether or not they are eligible for certification.

To receive the CFBE certification, applicants must pay a fee of $450 USD. This fee includes access to all course materials as well as exam preparation materials such as practice tests and study guides. Additionally, applicants may be required to pay additional fees for any continuing education courses they take in order to maintain their certification status.

Once certified, individuals can use their CFBE designation to demonstrate their expertise in the food and beverage industry and may be eligible for higher salaries or promotions within their current organization or when applying for new positions in other organizations.

9. Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA)

Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA) is a professional certification program offered by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI). It is designed to recognize and validate the knowledge, skills and abilities of hospitality professionals. The CHA program is for those who are already working in the hospitality industry or who are looking to enter into it.

The CHA certification requires a minimum of two years of experience in the hospitality industry, plus completion of an online course and exam. The online course consists of eight modules covering topics such as customer service, human resources management, financial management, sales and marketing, operations and technology. After completing the coursework and passing the exam with a score of 80% or higher, individuals can apply for the CHA designation.

The cost for the CHA program varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $500-$700 USD. It usually takes about 6-8 weeks to complete all requirements for certification.

10. National Association of Catering Executives Certification Program (NACE CPP)

The National Association of Catering Executives Certification Program (NACE CPP) is an industry-recognized certification program for catering professionals. It is designed to recognize and elevate the knowledge, skills, and abilities of catering professionals in the hospitality industry. The program provides a comprehensive assessment of the competencies required for success in the field of catering.

The NACE CPP consists of three levels: Certified Catering Professional (CCP), Certified Catering Executive (CCE), and Certified Master Catering Executive (CMCE). Each level requires successful completion of an exam that covers topics such as event planning, menu design, marketing and sales, financial management, customer service, food safety, and beverage service.

It typically takes approximately one year to complete all three levels of the NACE CPP program. To get certified at each level, applicants must pass an exam with a score of 70% or higher. Applicants can take the exams online or in person at designated testing centers throughout the United States.

The cost to become certified through NACE CPP varies depending on which level you are seeking certification for. The fees range from $150 - $425 per exam plus applicable taxes and fees.

11. American Culinary Federation Banquet Manager Certification Program

The American Culinary Federation Banquet Manager Certification Program is a professional certification program designed to recognize the knowledge and skills of banquet managers in the hospitality industry. The program is administered by the American Culinary Federation, an organization that promotes excellence in all aspects of professional foodservice.

The program consists of three levels: Certified Banquet Manager (CBM), Certified Executive Banquet Manager (CEBM), and Certified Master Banquet Manager (CMBM). To become certified, applicants must meet certain educational, experience, and examination requirements.

To earn the CBM credential, applicants must have at least two years of experience in banquet management or related fields, complete a 30-hour online course on banquet management topics, and pass an exam with a score of 70% or higher. This process typically takes about six months to complete.

To earn the CEBM credential, applicants must have at least five years of experience in banquet management or related fields and pass an exam with a score of 80% or higher. This process typically takes about one year to complete.

To earn the CMBM credential, applicants must have at least ten years of experience in banquet management or related fields and pass an exam with a score of 90% or higher. This process typically takes about two years to complete.

The cost for each level varies depending on whether you are an ACF member or non-member. For members, the cost for each level is $100 for CBM; $150 for CEBM; and $200 for CMBM. For non-members, the cost for each level is $150 for CBM; $200 for CEBM; and $250 for CMBM.

Do You Really Need a Banquet Manager Certificate?

A banquet manager certificate is not an absolute necessity for those interested in a career in banquet management. Many employers do not require a certificate, but may prefer to hire someone who has one. However, having a banquet manager certificate can provide potential employers with assurance that you have the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in this field.

The main benefit of having a banquet manager certificate is that it shows potential employers that you understand the principles of hospitality and food service. A certificate program usually covers topics such as food safety, customer service, event planning, and financial management, all of which are important skills for any successful banquet manager. Additionally, many programs include hands-on experience in various aspects of restaurant and catering operations, giving you valuable practical knowledge.

Having a certificate can also make your resume stand out from other applicants who don’t have one. Employers are often looking for candidates who have the right combination of education and experience; having a certificate can be the tipping point that helps you land the job over other qualified applicants.

In short, while having a banquet manager certificate is not essential to getting hired as a banquet manager, it can give you an edge over other candidates and demonstrate to potential employers that you’re committed to becoming an effective leader in this field.

Related: Banquet Manager Resume Examples

FAQs About Banquet Manager Certifications

Q1: What is a Banquet Manager Certification?

A1: A Banquet Manager Certification is a professional designation that demonstrates an individual’s knowledge and expertise in the banquet management industry. It is awarded by institutions such as the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) and shows potential employers that the certified individual has the skills necessary to successfully manage a banquet operation.

Q2: How do I become certified as a Banquet Manager?

A2: To become certified as a Banquet Manager, you must pass an exam administered by the NRAEF or other approved organizations. The exam covers topics such as food safety, customer service, budgeting, and marketing.

Q3: What is covered on the Banquet Manager Certification Exam?

A3: The exam covers topics such as food safety, customer service, budgeting, marketing, event planning and execution, staff training and supervision, financial management, and risk management.

Q4: How long does it take to get my Banquet Manager Certification?

A4: Depending on how quickly you complete your studies and prepare for the exam, it can take anywhere from two weeks to several months to get your certification.

Q5: What are some of the benefits of having my Banquet Manager Certification?

A5: Having your certification makes you more attractive to potential employers because it shows them that you have the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively manage their banquet operations. Additionally, having your certification can also lead to higher pay rates since employers know you are qualified for the job.