Informa Markets, producer of 550 B2B events globally each year, has partnered with the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) to provide its 4,400 employees with a workforce training program and the opportunity to earn a Certificate in Exhibition Management qualification. The customized training program will be open to all Informa Markets colleagues who have passed their probation period (about six months but varies by location), Sean Ongers, Head of Global Learning and Performance, Informa Markets, told Trade Show Executive.

“We are excited to offer our extensive knowledge in exhibition management with a global leader like Informa Markets,” said IAEE President and CEO David DuBois. “This is the first-ever agreement IAEE has entered into with another company to extend knowledge in core competencies of exhibition management.” In 2014, IAEE partnered with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration to offer a comprehensive competency model for the hospitality, tourism and events industry. This model is the basis for creating learning opportunities for those in the exhibitions and events industry and serves as the cornerstone for the curriculum delivered in this partnership. The IAEE/Informa Markets certificate program involves a combination of classroom instruction and applied learning, which will be overseen by the Informa Markets Global Learning and Performance team. 
 
“It’s all about the knowledge and impact,” Ongers said. “Informa Markets colleagues will complete a series of courses and exams. For each course, their manager will also be required to sign off on the impact back in the workplace before receiving the certificate of completion and qualification.”  Informa Markets colleagues will also have the option
to complete IAEE’s official Certified in Exhibition Management (CEM) Learning Program and obtain the globally recognized designation.
 
Currently, there are more than 3,000 active CEMs, of which 16.3% work for a for-profit company. Informa’s training team, who have completed the IAEE Certified in Exhibition Management (CEM) Learning program will be conducting the in-house training. “The partnership with IAEE brings amazing opportunities for our colleagues around the world
with its globally recognized Certificate in Exhibition Management Qualification,” Ongers said.