Certified Manager of Healthcare Exhibits (CME/H)
Certified Manager of Exhibits (CME)

The first-ever professional designation for the healthcare exhibit marketing industry, the Certified Manager of Exhibits-Healthcare (CME/H), is now available.

The Healthcare Convention & Exhibitors Association is the industry leader for healthcare exhibiting and convention marketing. Through a partnership with the Trade Show Exhibitors Association (TSEA) in support of TSEA’s Certified Manager of Exhibits™ program, the CME/H was created to provide the first industry-sponsored professional designation program for all healthcare exhibit marketing professionals.

Medical conventions and meetings represent the largest segment of the convention industry, and healthcare exhibit professionals must work uniquely within state, federal and international healthcare marketing guidelines on a daily basis. The CME/H designation offers the opportunity for these professionals to further their education in the field and receive official recognition for their achievements and expertise.

The Certified Manager of Exhibits™ (CME®) and The Certified Manager of Exhibits-Healthcare™ (CME/H®) are the is the only association-sponsored certification program that recognize professionalism in healthcare exhibit management and marketing.

Application Form (pdf)

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the Certified Manager of Exhibits Professional Certification Program?

The Certified Manager of Exhibits is the only not-for-profit, association sponsored certification program that recognizes professionalism in exhibit management and marketing. It was developed by the Trade Show Exhibitors Association (TSEA) and endorsed by HCEA.

2. What is the background of the Certified Manager of Exhibits program?

The Certified Manager of Exhibits was created by TSEA, which represents exhibit managers from all industries involved in exhibit marketing, to help establish recognition and career advancement. The program is an opportunity for exhibit professionals to gain an even more in-depth understanding of the industry by earning Continuing Education Units or CEUs. CEUs are a nationally recognized way to provide professionals credit for active involvement in the Certified Manager of Exhibits program. CEUs do not apply toward fulfilling academic degree requirements.

3. Why has HCEA endorsed TSEA's Certified Manager of Exhibits program?

HCEA endorsed the Certified Manager of Exhibits program because it is an established, credible professional certification for exhibit managers, developed by exhibit managers, that reflects a well-rounded approach to professional credentialing. The alliance of HCEA and TSEA provides even greater recognition for the critical importance of the role of an exhibit manager in the marketing mix. With the partnership, HCEA will offer continuing education at its Annual Meeting, as well as other HCEA-sponsored educational programs, with Continuing Education Units (CEUs) that apply to the Certified Manager of Exhibits designation.

4. Who is eligible for this program?

Eligibility for the program is open to all HCEA members and all individuals in the exhibit industry.

5. How will the Certified Manager of Exhibits certification benefit my career goals in the exhibiting industry?

A Certified Manager of Exhibits certification demonstrates a commitment to your profession, establishes credibility in the professional arena, signifies a comprehensive understanding of the industry and increases your network of contacts. As a healthcare exhibitor with a Certified Manager of Exhibits certification, it is a win-win situation for you!

6. How long will it take me to earn my Certified Manager of Exhibits certification?

This depends on which methods of earning points you use, and how aggressively you pursue them. But it is reasonable to expect you could earn your Certified Manager of Exhibits professional certification in approximately three years.

7. There are many continuing education programs available today. Why should I participate in this one?

HCEA believes the Certified Manager of Exhibits program is the most flexible and relevant certification program for exhibit managers. The curriculum is based on work experience, industry involvement, peer acknowledgement and professional development. One of the benefits for HCEA members participating in this particular program is that you can receive healthcare-specific exhibiting training at HCEA-sponsored educational programs, including the Annual Meeting, while earning credits toward your Certified Manager of Exhibits designation. Another advantage is that at HCEA events, you earn double (two) points for every 10 hours of programs, when applying for your CME, (the same rate as TSEA programs), as opposed to the 1 point rate earned at other industry-sponsored seminars.

8. I barely have time to get my own work done! Is the Certified Manager of Exhibits program flexible?

Definitely! Since the program is not centered exclusively on a classroom, it incorporates your contributions to the exhibit industry, continuing education courses, professional development and recognition from colleagues in the exhibit industry. The program allows you to focus on your job while earning the certification.

9. What do I need to do to enroll?

Enrolling is easy. You can contact HCEA or TSEA to receive a CME enrollment form. Once you have enrolled, TSEA will send you an application form that you and they will use to track the points you earn toward your certification. (HCEA will provide both you and TSEA verification of your credits earned at HCEA meetings.) You will also be connected to resources that can assist you in fulfilling other areas of participation such as speaking, writing articles for industry publication, etc. A one-time enrollment fee of $100.00 is the ONLY cost to you. There are no additional costs or hidden fees.

10. Who reviews the Certified Manager of Exhibits application?

An impartial TSEA committee of your peers reviews and evaluates the contents of each Certified Manager of Exhibits application.

11. How many CEUs do I need to earn in order to successfully complete the Certified Manager of Exhibits professional certification? Where do I obtain the necessary CEUs?

You are required to earn a minimum of 7 points by ways of CEUs, and you receive two points for every 10 hours of programming at HCEA or TSEA educational sessions. TSEA also accepts CEUs issued from other industry-related events, at a rate of 1 point for every 10 hours of programming. Additional information is available on the Certified Manager of Exhibits application form. (Note: a minimum of 92 points out of a possible 170 points from a variety of qualifying activities must be earned to receive the professional certification.)

12. When I enroll in the Certified Manager of program, what do I receive?

When you enroll in the Certified Manager of Exhibits program, you will receive a Certified Manager of Exhibits Application Package with all of the information that you need to get started. You will also receive, by certified e-mail, a bimonthly e-mail newsletter designed exclusively for exhibit managers enrolled in the Certified Manager of Exhibits Program and current Certified Manager of Exhibits; unlimited access to the Certified Manager of Exhibits Web site with access to Certified Manager of Exhibits graduates and many helpful resources; and an annual invitation to the TS² VIP lounge, a gathering place for TSEA VIPs and industry experts.

13. Once I am a Certified Manager of Exhibits, do I ever have to recertify?

Yes. You will need to recertify for your Certified Manager of Exhibits once every five years. Over the five-year period, you will need to obtain 30 contact hours of education in the exhibiting industry. This can be achieved by participating in either HCEA or TSEA educational programs or other industry events.

14. I am a member of HCEA and am currently working on earning my Certified Manager of Exhibits certification. When I have a question concerning my points earned or other certification-related matters, should I contact TSEA?

Yes. Even though HCEA has endorsed the program and is offering Certified Manager of Exhibits course material at its Annual Meeting and other educational programs, TSEA is responsible for the administration of the program. TSEA may be contacted at (312) 842-TSEA or on their Web site at www.tsea.org.

15. When I attend educational sessions at HCEA meetings, is it necessary for me to attend the entire session to receive the credit towards my Certified Manager of Exhibits certification?

YES. CEUs are awarded based on attendance, which must be documented and verified. You must arrive within 10 minutes of the seminar's beginning and stay for the entire educational program. No credit will be issued to anyone who does not meet the attendance requirement.

16. Do I receive credit towards my Certified Manager of Exhibits certification for attending networking functions?

CEUs will not be awarded for time spent in social, networking or business meeting activities.

17. What is the Trade Show Exhibitors Association (TSEA)?

TSEA is a not-for-profit trade association of 2,200 exhibit and event professionals in all industries, as well as those who supply goods and services to the exhibition industry.

18. Who administers the Certified Manager of Exhibits program?

TSEA administers the Certified Manager of Exhibits program. Any questions pertaining to the program should be directed to TSEA. As an endorsing partner of the Certified Manager of Exhibits program, HCEA administers only the monitoring of credits earned at HCEA meetings.