Titles & Designations
Just this past week you may have noticed a couple of little changes on the website. The biggest one being that we added your titles! Our members work very hard to earn their designations here at ABC and we want to showcase those that have taken part in the process.
What is a designation?
Professional designations are titles that you may receive to show your level of excellence in your line of work. You can use professional designations if you have completed the requirements set by your professional associations.
As part of your lifelong learning, a professional designation is a 'stamp of approval' that a person can earn from an organization, demonstrating to employers and clients that the person has achieved a particular standard of excellence in their field of work. Attaining professional designations is beneficial for gaining knowledge, developing new skills, and demonstrating mastery within a particular industry or occupation. This includes listing certifications on your Resume and LinkedIn profile to help recruiters and hiring managers see your level of expertise.
Designations, like college degrees, hold more clout and authority than earning certifications; however, it takes more class time and more money. Certifications are more like any professional development opportunity. Some certifications may take months to earn and others only hours. A designation could take a lifetime and require certifications that actually contain content for the student or business owner.
What are the benefits of this professional recognition?
Most pursuing a career in the wedding industry will find various ways to excel and advance because it’s about becoming a trusted professional. Part of advancing is gaining certifications through higher-end training and earning designations.
Pursuing designations provides professionals with the opportunity to enhance their careers by ranking amongst the world’s top wedding professionals in any market. These designations specify skills and expertise that have been acquired through additional training and experience. There are different types of designations offered and can be pursued at any time regardless of years in the industry.
Improves Skills: Your knowledge and professional skillset will expand with each designation earned. Such skills look great on your resume and can aid in the expansion of your portfolio.
Builds Credibility: Professionals within the industry and clients alike hold you to a higher ethical standard than normal by having designations. Clients have a greater confidence in you as an expert in your area because they know you’ve received extensive training and are more than qualified to assist them.
Networking Opportunities: Good old-fashioned networking is vital to a anyones career. While obtaining new designations, you will have opportunities to meet other ambitious industry leaders and cultivate a professional network. These connections may prove to be extremely valuable in your future endeavors. You have the chance to network with professionals who embody the same business acumen, which makes it extremely valuable. You also may meet prospective clients or make connections who introduce referrals or present offers you never would have had otherwise. The more networking opportunities, the better!
Maximizes Earnings: Designees are known to earn more throughout their career because they have deeper knowledge and more experience to bring to the table. Being a well-rounded expert will pay off for you in the end. Each acquired skill will lead to mastery, and you can only go up from there!
People look for accreditations and will most likely choose the professional with one given the choice. Having designations adds to your credibility and opens doors to a lifetime of opportunities. Your professional reputation will be strengthened while referrals from current and past clients will come naturally. Pursuing designations is guaranteed to make positive impacts on your career, regardless of how much experience you may already have.
What designations does ABC offer?
Registered Wedding Planner / Registered Wedding Vendor - When you join ABC this is the title that you receive. From there we want you to increase your designation by using the education that you receive, the experience that you have and we want to congratulate you on the gifts that you give.
Certified Wedding Planner / Certified Wedding Vendor - Certified Wedding Planner or Vendor title is earned by taking educational courses. Those courses can be taken through ABC or other recognized colleges, community colleges and other event industustry associations.
Professional Wedding Planner / Professional Wedding Vendor - The Professional title is earned not only by taking educational courses as stated in the Certified title but also by including experience in planning weddings or events and supplying proof of such events being produced / planned by you.
Accredited Wedding Planner / Accredited Wedding Vendor - Your Accredited title is earned not only by continuious education, experience but also includes giving back to your community, industry and much more!
Master Wedding Planner / Master Wedding Vendor - By the time you apply for your Master title you are well rounded in all areas of requirements. To achive this level you must also produce and present a wedding of “Master Level” to a jury of your peers.
What do you do next?
If you are already an ABC member and have earned a designation there are logos for you to download to let the world know. You can find those by clicking here: https://www.abcweddingplanners.com/your-membership
If you are an ABC member and haven’t earned a designation yet, here is the information that you need on the educational track: https://www.abcweddingplanners.com/points-system-member-requirements
If you are not yet a member, join us and start earning your designation today!
