3. WHAT IS SEPA? The Student Event Planners Association (SEPA) is a professional organization that caters to students pursuing a career in the event planning and hospitality industry. SEPA is the event industry's leading organization for developing student event planners into professionals.

5. CHAPTERS

7. MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS Access to an exclusive member portal on the SEPA website Master calendar of SEPA webinars and top industry conferences/events Job, internship and volunteer opportunities through Opportunities Program Professional mentorship through E-Mentor Program Monthly webinars through Professional Development Program Scholarship opportunities through Scholarship Program Industry accreditation through SEPA Accreditation Program Networking opportunities through exclusive access to the SEPA Membership Directory Leadership opportunities within your chapter and the national Board Additional educational resources and benefits through SEPA partners

9. PROGRAMS

10. OPPORTUNITIES PROGRAM The Opportunities Program provides valuable job, internship and volunteer opportunities, exclusive to SEPA members. All SEPA members are required to complete four hours of relevant volunteer and/or internship credits each semester and must submit proof upon completion. Benefits: Job, internship, volunteer opportunities exclusive to SEPA members Develop professional network and gain real-world experience Creditable experience to add to resume Opportunities shared across SEPA chapters nationwide Opportunities are reviewed to ensure quality As an established program, businesses request SEPA members

11. E-MENTOR PROGRAM The E-Mentor Program provides valuable mentorship by pairing student event planners with industry professionals. Participants will have six weeks to foster a relationship through e-mail correspondence. Benefits: Develop your professional network Receive guidance and insight from someone inside of the industry Enhance your resume Discover possible volunteer, internship, or job opportunities

12. SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM The Scholarship Program awards active members with a scholarship applied towards a certification through the Wedding & Event Institute (WEI). Benefits: Course paid in full by SEPA or a chapter sponsor, a $495 value Recognition as an SEPA Scholarship recipient, posted indefinitely on the SEPA website and included in member newsletters and social media shout outs Industry certification recognized worldwide Networking opportunities with other SEPA students enrolled in the course Upon completion of the course, students develop a portfolio and resume credential By completing the course, students satisfy one of the criteria of the SEPA Accreditation Program Additional benefits through the WEI

13. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT The Professional Development Program provides monthly webinars and online articles focused on personal and professional development. All webinar dates are posted in the events section on the official SEPA Facebook page and on the master calendar on the SEPA website. Benefits: Content that will develop individuals personally and professionally Interaction with industry professionals through webinars Opportunity to address career questions and concerns Explore additional benefits offered through SEPA partners Attendance make-up for SEPA chapter meeting absences Earn credits applied towards SEPA Accreditation Program and Scholarship Program

14. SEPA ACCREDITATION The SEPA Accreditation Program is the highest level of accreditation that a student graduating into the event industry may achieve.* The program is designed to guide members throughout their tenure in SEPA, to get the most out of their membership and if desired, to graduate with honors. Members who wish to receive the accreditation must complete six criteria: 1.Education 2.Leadership 3.Experience 4.Knowledge 5.Professional Development 6.Commitment

15. SEPA ACCREDITATION Benefits: Certificate Graduates announced in e-mail communication distributed to thousands of event professionals and businesses nationwide Promoted in e-newsletter to all SEPA chapters and members Promoted on SEPA social media Added to permanent graduate listing on the SEPA website with link to LinkedIn profile Added to permanent photo gallery on the SEPA Facebook page with link to LinkedIn profile SEPA Accreditation badge to add to website and resume SEPA endorsement

16. PARTNERS

17. EVENT PLANNERS ASSOCIATION The Event Planners Association (EPA) is the national trade association for professionals in the event and amusement industries. EPA has extended an exclusive EPA student membership discount to SEPA. Upon submission of the SEPA membership application, members will receive a discount code for the EPA student membership. Members may then go to the EPA website and select the $97 annual, student membership option and input the discount code for a reduced price of $65. Although optional, joint membership is encouraged. Annual EPA student membership benefits, include: Continuing Education Community Connection Strategic Partner & Affinity Program EPA Member Center EPA Event Toolbox EPA Daily Deals

18. WEDDING AND EVENT INSTITUTE The Wedding and Event Institute (WEI) is an internationally recognized certification and training company specializing in the wedding industry. WEI has a tailored an online course exclusive to SEPA members, the SEPA Certified Event Planners Course. Students may enroll in the course at any time and have up to two years to complete it. The course is $495 if paid in full. There are also four affordable payment plan options available or students may apply for a scholarship through SEPA. The course includes five assignments that lead students through every stage of planning, managing and running a conference; no tests or examinations. Through completing the WEI certification, students develop a portfolio. Students have access to a designated WEI course instructor, Tiffany Chan. The WEI certification fulfills the education criteria for the SEPA Accreditation.

19. EVENTS CLIQUE 3D Event Designer powered by Events Clique is the leading web-based 2D and 3D floor plan, buffet diagram, inventory and seating chart software for event professionals. SEPA members receive free access to 3D Event Designer powered by Events Clique, approximately a $200 value per semester! Events Clique also hosts a webinar each semester exclusively for SEPA members. All SEPA members will be setup with a 3D Event Designer account and will receive an e-mail notification with their login information within three weeks following the semester membership application deadline. Members may also receive credit through the Professional Development Program by participating in the 3D Event Designer webinar and completing a mini-project. Information is available in the member portal.

20. IWED The Institute of Wedding & Event Design (IWED) is North America’s premier hands- on training and certification course for professional event designers and decorators. IWED specializes in educating students on how to become a full-service wedding and event professional with an emphasis on the physical technique to achieving beautifully created events. IWED has developed a “mini” course to fit the needs of novice level designers. The course will cover backdrop techniques, ceiling draping, table draping and more! This full-day course is taught by a WEI instructor in a group atmosphere through video presentations and hands-on activities. SEPA chapters must guarantee a 20-person interest list before IWED may schedule a “mini” course for the host chapter. The course is $250 per student. You may join the interest list for your chapter on the IWED page, under partners, on the SEPA website. Upon completion, SEPA members will receive an Associate Event Design Certification through IWED and will have access to online materials and resources for future reference.

21. CVENT Cvent is a leading cloud-based enterprise event management platform. The Cvent Supplier Network connects meeting planners with over 200,000 event venues and service providers globally. It is a free tool, allowing event and meeting planners to search detailed profiles of venues and service providers, send requests for proposals (RFPs), and then compare bids, details and availability with side-by-side reports. Cvent University is a free certification program for the Cvent Supplier Network. By completing a webinar and 20-question examination, SEPA members may become Cvent Certified. The certification is valid for two years. All SEPA members will be enrolled in the Cvent University program. Each member will receive an e-mail with training information, login information, and a link to take the certification exam within three weeks of the membership application deadline. Participation is optional, but encouraged.

22. ADDITIONAL BENEFITS

23. MEMBER PORTAL Upon submission of your membership application, you will receive access to an exclusive member portal on the SEPA website. The portal includes: Program forms, applications and FAQs Volunteer, internship and job opportunity listings Membership directory Webinar links And more!

24. MASTER CALENDAR The master calendar includes all SEPA webinars and important deadlines, as well as top industry conferences and conventions. To access the master calendar, click the “calendar” button on the navigation bar located on the SEPA website.

25. MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY SEPA provides an opportunity for members to begin establishing their professional network. SEPA members have the option of including their Facebook, Twitter and/or LinkedIn URLs when submitting their membership application. This information is available exclusively to SEPA members through the Membership Directory in the member portal and allows SEPA members nationwide to connect.

26. LEADERSHIP There are ample leadership opportunities within SEPA, including: Chapter Committees Chapter Officers –President –Vice President –Secretary –Treasurer –Outreach Coordinator –Opportunities Coordinator –Special Events Coordinator National Board of Directors

27. ONLINE STORE New items every month Located on the SEPA website

28. HOW TO JOIN

29. Submit the semester membership application located on the SEPA website Pay your semester dues After your membership application and dues are submitted, you will begin receiving benefits!

30. SAVE THE DATE

31. IMPORTANT DATES

32. CHAPTER MEETINGS & EVENTS DateTimeLocation

33. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION www.studenteventplannersassociation.com info@studenteventplannersassociation.com When posting pictures, we encourage you to use #SEPA