The Digital Event Strategist Certification initiative is specifically designed to help organizations in all sectors of the economy develop a means to effectively plan, produce and measure the results of their digital engagement practices and to develop a management pool strategically equipped to engage audiences using digital technology.

The DES Online Learning Program is a 16-module course in digital event planning and production, and covers the key “areas of focus” to be found on the exam. Applicants earn CEU credits with each course for a total of 16 hours of digital event training.

Course Fee is $595 (less than $40 per hour).

Exam. Applicants are required to pass a test covering the 16 key areas of focus within 12 months of application. Exams will be administered online.

Exam fee is $325.

Re-certification. Due to the rapidly changing nature of technology in general, and virtual and digital events specifically, re-certification will be required for all participants every two years. Re-certification will require 20 clock hours of “new” virtual/digital-related continuing education programs, with an average of 10 clock hours per year. Programming may include online and/or onsite education programs through the Virtual Edge Institute or other event management organizations as approved by VEI. No exam will be required if certification is not allowed to lapse.

Event producers who receive and maintain Digital Event Strategist certifications will be listed on the VEI website, and allowed to use the “DES” acronym as an honorific following their names.

The certification program includes an application process, an online learning program and an exam administered by the Virtual Edge Institute (VEI).Scholarships are being offered through the generous support of Freeman and bxbOnline.

Applicants must meet certain prerequisites in order to be considered for certification. These include:

• Applicant must be currently or recently (within 12 months) working in events, meetings, conventions, marketing or learning industries.
• Applicant must be a member of a professional event management association such as PCMA, MPI, IAEE, ASAE, CEMA, VEI or have three years’ experience in event, meeting, convention, exhibition or learning management.
• Applicant must have experience in various virtual and digital environments. Experience may include attending, producing or exhibiting in online events or meetings. (If applicant has no such experience, VEI can assist in arranging for such experience.)
• Applicant must have completed (or will complete) 25 clock hours (or 2.5 CEUs) worth of digital-related continuing education programs in 16 key “areas of focus” within 12 months of application. Programming may include online and/or onsite education programs through the Virtual Edge Institute or other event management organizations as approved by VEI.

Application fee is $175. APPLY NOW, Scholarships available!