IAVM Members, Non-members and Allied Members may apply for this certification.

Our One-Minute CVE Guide is a starting-place for young professionals mapping out their career path and acts as a guide for seasoned managers to evaluate past experiences to determine whether their accumulative industry involvement qualifies them to apply for their CVE. Preparation for your CVE typically requires a minimum of 5 years of industry experience and significant involvement in the association. CVEs typically hold the top two positions within a venue or organization with titles including CEO, President, Executive Director, General Manager, or Senior Management, and are active in the industry as leaders and innovators.

In addition to your years spent in venue management, the following required professional activities include:

The above areas of expertise are rated by a point system, and a total minimum of 300 points are required before a CVE application will be accepted. Once you’ve reached your goal, there are four steps to attaining your CVE Certification.

The annual deadline for receiving completed applications is November 1.

Submit the CVE application with attachments outlining: your education, experience, program participation, publications, and professional and community activities. References are required, as well as commitment to the IAVM Code of Ethics.

The application fee is US$200 ($275 non-members). Applications and all accompanying material must be received by November 1. A check or credit card payment in the corresponding amount, payable to the International Association of Venue Managers must accompany the application. The application fee is non-refundable.

A written essay must be completed outlining the candidate’s knowledge of facility management. Detailed instructions concerning the essay structure and content can be found in the CVE Information Packet.

Written essays must be received at IAVM HQ by February 1.

Individuals whose applications and essays are accepted will move into Step Three – the written examination. Candidates receive written notification from the Certification Board that they will be allowed to sit for the written examination. The examination covers basic knowledge regarding the operation of public assembly facilities, including arenas, stadiums, convention centers, and performing arts centers.  An exam fee of US$450 (US$600 for non-members) will be required.

A list of suggested study materials for the CVE written examination, as well as entrance to the digital study manual and group, is available from the IAVM Headquarters.

Individuals who pass the written examination will be required to sit for an oral exam by a panel of Certification Board members. The oral exam panel will evaluate the candidate’s knowledge of a series of industry topics that probe professional experience, professional contributions, and overall management of public assembly venues, including arenas, stadiums, convention centers, and performing arts venues. The oral exam panel will also evaluate the candidate’s ability to articulate those points. The panel will consider the above criteria to determine whether the candidate passes the oral exam.

Certified Venue Executives must renew every three years in order to maintain their certification. The Certification Board has established this requirement under the rationale that maintaining competency in the field of public assembly venue management requires continuing professional development through activities such as continuing education programs, teaching and program planning, writing and publishing, and community service. Renewal demonstrates your continued dedication to stay up-to-date with the changing public assembly venue management profession, and it’s an important indicator that shows your dedication to your profession and industry by continuing your education and maintaining your certification. In addition, renewal is a process necessary to maintain the standards of the certification program.

CVEs must submit their application for renewal and fee three years after the January 1 that immediately follows their earning the designation. For instance, CVEs who earned the designation in July 2021 are required to submit a new application for renewal by January 1, 2025, and then every three years following.

The Certification Board has approved a “CVE retired” status. A CVE, upon retirement from the industry, is certified for life. No further action is necessary except to notify the IAVM office. The renewal requirement, combined with the rigorous selection process the Certification Board has developed for certification, ensures that your CVE designation continues to be an acknowledged mark of your professional status among public assembly venue executives.

IAVM began the Certified Venue Executive (CVE) program in 1976 (originally titled Certified Facilities Executive) to recognize excellence in the professional development and competence of managers of public assembly venues. The program has undergone continuous modification to ensure fairness and objective measurement of candidates’ qualification for the designation. In 1993, a new qualification phase was added to the program: successful completion of a written examination. Certification Board members are closely evaluating the validity of the examination, and in future years, objective measurement of candidates’ knowledge and skills will increase in significance. In 1994, the Certification Board added a renewal requirement for CVEs to maintain the Certified Venue Executive designation. Every three years, CVEs are required to submit evidence of continuing education and professional development. In 1995, the Certification Board approved a “Retired CVE” status, which was updated in 2004 stating that CVEs who have retired and notified the Certification Administrator in writing of their retirement will not be required to meet renewal requirements and may use the designation “CVE Retired.”

The basic purpose of the voluntary certification program is to provide additional incentive for professional improvement in public assembly venue management, to assure recognition for those who attain certain specific standards, and to lead toward development of a full professional status in the field of public assembly venue management.

It is not the purpose of the certification program to determine who shall or shall not engage in the management of public assembly venues. It is recognized that there are many who are successfully engaged in public assembly venue management who are not interested in applying for certification. The primary purpose is to encourage professional development and to recognize achievement.