First Class of VEI Students Now Working Toward New Virtual Event Certification

Scholarship applications for second class due January 30, 2013

December 18, 2012 – Virtual Edge Institute. More than 50 event industry executives were accepted for full scholarships into the Virtual Edge Institute’s new Digital Event Strategist Certification program, and are now working to achieve that designation. Scholarship applications for a second class of students are being accepted through January 30, 2013.

Created to address the growing need of associations, marketers and event and learning practitioners to understand how to successfully plan, design, build and execute digital engagements and environments that achieve strategic business objectives, the Digital Event Strategist Certification program was first announced by VEI in 2011.

“This is very exciting for us,” says VEI Executive Director, Michael Doyle. “We’ve been working on this for more than a year. The online learning program is going to blow people away. Each module is chock full of presentations, videos, downloadable resources and so much more. And, of course, you don’t have to be aiming for a designation to learn from these modules. Anyone can take these courses.”

More than just a milestone for VEI, however, the DES designation – and the education that accompanies it – may prove critical to the future of event planners. According to a recent IMEX study exploring the future of the global meeting industry, fifty-seven percent of survey respondents believe that in the next decade, the most important roles for live events will be the “event designer, learning architect and digital strategist.”

The DES program includes a 16-module e-learning program, followed by a comprehensive final exam. Those meeting the required pre-requisites, successfully completing the 16 courses and passing the final exam will be awarded the DES designation. (The first exam is scheduled January 13, during PCMA’s Convening Leaders meeting in Orlando. Other site-based and online test dates will be announced.)

“By completing the DES certification program, VEI-certified individuals will have gained the highest-level of proficiency and achievement within the digital events industry,” says Doyle. “Not only will they have improved skills, but also industry recognition and career advancement opportunities. And they’ll have ongoing access to subject matter experts as they encounter challenges in this rapidly evolving field.”

Industry leaders Freeman (www.freemanco.com) and bxb Online (www.bxbonline.com) have partnered with VEI to offer scholarships to cover the full fees for those meeting the posted criteria. Certification fees include a $175 application fee, $595 for modules, and $325 for the final exam. Scholarships covered the entire cost for this first class of students.

The DES Certification program is housed within VEI’s online learning portal – Digital U – providing students with access to online study materials, and accessible via mobile devices for convenience and to explore the mobile content experience. Digital U also houses a multimedia library of educational content, including over 90 hours of video recordings from past Virtual Edge Summits.

The Digital Event Strategist Certification is designed for individuals in associations, corporations, government and academia. VEI is currently accepting applications for both the DES program and scholarships for its second class of students through Jan 31, 2013. For more information, and to find application and scholarship forms, visit www.digitaleventstrategist.org.

About Virtual Edge Institute
The Virtual Edge Institute (VEI) is an international organization dedicated to advancing engagement around events, meetings, learning and marketing programs through technology. VEI supports and contributes to research, education, thought leadership, promotion and professional networking. VEI also produces the Digital Event Strategist educational program and accompanying DES Certification designation. For more information, visit http://www.virtualedgeinstitute.com.

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This release was published on openPR.