The Global Certification for
the Business Events Industry
ICCASkills is ICCA’s globally recognised certification for Business Events professionals and the only programme focused on the full international association business ecosystem. It helps destinations attract more association business by shifting from venue or bureau-led thinking to a destination-led strategy.
Learners gain practical skills to position destinations competitively, collaborate across stakeholders, and win association business in global markets.
Stand Out in the Business Events Industry with Your CICS or CICE Designation
In a fast-moving industry, standing still means falling behind. If you want to stay relevant, grow your career, and create more value for your organisation, investing in your professional development is essential.
- Want to win more business?
- Are you actively winning opportunities, or waiting for them to come to you?
- Ready to fast-track your career in the business events industry?
ICCASkills helps you do all 3 and more. It's essential learning for business events professionals in DMOs, CVBs, PCOs, venues and hotels, giving you the skills to operate across the full destination ecosystem. You build a global peer network while strengthening core competencies in systems thinking, critical thinking, strategic and competitive analysis, teamwork and public speaking.
This is real-world knowledge that usually takes years on the job. With ICCASkills, you get it in months, fast-tracking your impact, credibility and career growth, and putting you ahead of your peers for new opportunities and promotion.
39%
of today's skills
are expected to change or become obsolete by 2030. Upskilling isn't optional anymore.
4
key outcomes:
Learn bidding strategies, strategic thinking, industry insights, and build a global network of business events professionals.
8 out of 10
alumni
report promotions, expanded responsibilities, and increased confidence in leadership roles.
100%
learner satisfaction
reported in 2026.
ICCASkills Certifications
Certified International Convention Specialist (CICS)
No Experience Required
This course is designed to equip professionals working in DMOs, CVBs, PCOs, AMCs, venues and hotels with the essential skills and knowledge needed to advance in the meetings industry.
Certified International Convention Specialist (CICE)
3+ Years of Experience in Business Events
This programme provides a strategic leap into advanced event management techniques, strategies, and legacy impacts that will sustain industry business units.
Not the right time for a certification? Find out more ways to build your skills with additional ICCALearn professional development options.
Pick the Hub & Course That Fit You Best:
What People Are Saying
“Completing the CICS programme has been a transformative experience in my professional journey within the business events industry. The programme is well structured, offering a deep dive into every critical aspect of preparing a bid proposal, from bidding and strategic planning to stakeholder engagement.
What sets this certificate apart is its global perspective. Learning from ICCA's network of international experts and real-world case studies gave me the tools and confidence to develop and manage successful bid proposals. The interactive learning environment and practical exercises helped bridge the gap between theory and real-world execution.”
Emily Chiew
Sales Manager - Conventions & Conferences, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre
“Over the past thre days, I learned far more than I anticipated, not only about bid presentations, team cohesion, and the importance of event catering, but also the practical skills needed to respond to real-world Q&A in a competitive bidding environment. The course was highly practical, and the feedback from instructors was relevant and actionable, giving me clear insights I can apply immediately in my work.
What stood out most was the shift in how I engage with others. As a teacher, I’m used to delivering information, but this experience pushed me to listen more, interact differently, and see communication as a two-way exchange. It has genuinely changed how I think about teaching and collaboration, and I leave feeling more confident and inspired.”
Zhang Mengchen
Associate, Yiheng Capital
Your Certification Journey
- Choose the certification programme that's right for you: CICS or CICE.
- Check your eligibility, including your level of management experience.
- Select your preferred learning format, in person, online, or 100% self-paced.
- Convince your boss.
- Submit your application or registration.
- Access the online LMS platform and start learning before the class.
- Prepare for your trip, if you're attending an in-person class.
- Come with an open mind and be ready to learn.
- Be fully present during the sessions, no distractions.
- Complete the online learning modules on the LMS platform.
- Prepare for your exam.
- Apply to take the exam.
- Take the exam.
- Earn your CICS or CICE designation upon successfully completing the open-book online exam, which can be taken within one year of enrolling in the programme.
- Celebrate your achievement by receiving your certificate on the main stage at the ICCA Congress.
- Share your success by posting your digital badge on your social media channels.
Ready to Stand Out in the Business Events Industry?
Get in touch
ICCA Education Team: education@iccaworld.org
Alpha Tower, De Entree 57, Amsterdam 1101 BH, The Netherlands
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