Analysis of the CSEP Content Outline in relation to the

EMBOK
The following represents the mapping of the CSEP Content Outline* to the EMBOK framework. Please
note that, due to their generic nature or wording, some of the CSEP items appear under phase headings
or general domain headings rather than individual classes within each domain and some appear in
numerous places within the EMBOK framework.
*CSEP, the Certified Special Events Professional designation, is the credentialing program offered by the International Special Events
Society (ISES). The CSEP Content Outline was introduced in January of 2007 and may be found
at http://www.ises.com/csep/exampreparation.cfm.

Planning

Implementation

Initiation

Closure

ADMINISTRATION

The Event

Financial

Human Resources

Information

1) Development Phase
[1-A] Determine purpose of event and prioritize goals and objectives
[1-B] Identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT analysis)
[1-R] Prepare and present a proposal

1) Development Phase
[1-C] Identify event element requirements (e.g., technical production, food and
beverage, ancillary programs, entertainment, risk management, and dcor)

2) Pre -production Phase

[2-A] Re-assess available resources (e.g., vendors, funds, people, etc.) and time
restrictions
[2-K] Coordinate event element requirements

3) Production Phase
4) Post-production Phase
[4-A] Determine return on investment (ROI) (e.g., internal and external stakeholders
and measurable objectives)
[4-B] Analyze and evaluate entire event management process
[2-A] Re-assess available resources (e.g., vendors, funds, people, etc.) and time
restrictions
[1-Q] Develop an initial budget
[3-H] Response to and documentation of incidents and changes (e.g., incident
reports, change orders and Signed authorizations)
[4-C] Audit and reconcile finances and present final budget (e.g., final
invoices/billing, financial reports, and profit and loss)
[1-O] Ensure event complies with labor union jurisdictions and regulations
[2-H] Create structure of responsibility pertaining to event management and its
staffing
[2-K-12] Staffing (e.g., recruitment, training, motivation, and evaluation of personnel
and volunteers)
[2-P] Conduct pre-event production meetings and personnel/participant orientations
[2-B] Implement record keeping procedures
[2-E] Develop event evaluation criteria
[2-I] Oversee communications with and between all involved parties (e.g., status
reports and budget updates)
[3-H] Response to and documentation of incidents and changes (e.g., incident
reports, change orders and Signed authorizations)

Procurement

Stakeholders

DESIGN

Catering

Systems
Time

Content
Entertainment
Environment

Production

Program

Theme
MARKETING
Marketing Plan

Materials

Merchandise

Promotions

Public Relations

[4-D] Archive information (e.g., legal documentation, media documentation and

samples)
[2-D] Schedule vendor/suppliers meetings
[2-E] Develop event evaluation criteria
[2-G] Review and comprehend vendor proposals
[3-H] Response to and documentation of incidents and changes (e.g., incident
reports, change orders and Signed authorizations)
[4-E] Ensure full compliance with contractual obligations (e.g., equipment return and
payment schedules)
[2-E] Develop event evaluation criteria
[2-I] Oversee communications with and between all involved parties (e.g., status
reports and budget updates)
[2-C] Create time lines, including production calendar and schedules
[2-D] Schedule vendor/suppliers meetings
[3-A] Implement production schedule
[1-A] Determine purpose of event and prioritize goals and objectives
[1-C] Identify event element requirements (e.g., technical production, food and
beverage, ancillary programs, entertainment, risk management, and dcor)
[1-M] Develop event design
[2-K-4] Food and beverage (e.g., alcohol management, catering, guarantees and
dietary needs)
[2-K-2] Entertainment/presentation (e.g., riders, scripting and rehearsals)
[2-K-2] Entertainment/presentation (e.g., riders, scripting and rehearsals)
[2-K-7] Dcor (e.g., scenery, props, branding and floral)
[2-K-5] Technical production (e.g., audio/visual, lighting, sound, special effects and
technical rehearsal)
[2-K-10] Media production (e.g., photography, videography and show content)
[1-E] Determine need for ancillary programs (e.g., companion programs, exhibits,
optional side trips, recreational activities or mini-events within event)
[2-J] Determine logical sequence of show or event flow
[2-K-13] Ancillary programs (e.g., excursions, companion programs and recreational
activities)
[3-E] Ensure conceptual and contractual compliance of event
[1-A] Determine purpose of event and prioritize goals and objectives
[1-F] Define and develop integrated marketing plan (e.g., situation analysis,
marketing objectives, target markets and messages and measure return on
marketing (ROM))
[2-K-11] Collateral material (e.g., signage, invitation, brochures, promotional items
and gifts)
[1-H] Identify and develop direct sales strategy (e.g., box office and ticket operations,
souvenirs and promotional merchandise)
[1-G] Identify and develop promotional strategy (e.g., advertising, Internet
promotions, Web site, sales promotions and contests)
[1-I] Identify and develop public relations strategy (e.g., media releases, requests for
coverage, photo opportunities, media relations, publications, event publicity and
public guest appearances)


Sales

Sponsorship

OPERATIONS
Attendees

Communications

Infrastructure

Logistics

Participants

Site

Technical

RISK

Compliance

[2-K-14] Marketing and public relations (e.g., press area, event publicity, photo
opportunities and sponsorship)
[1-H] Identify and develop direct sales strategy (e.g., box office and ticket operations,
souvenirs and promotional merchandise)
[1-J] Identify and develop sponsorship program (e.g., sponsorships, donors, grants
and gifts)
[2-P] Conduct pre-event production meetings and personnel/participant orientations
[2-I] Oversee communications with and between all involved parties (e.g., status
reports and budget updates)
[3-B] Employ communication systems (e.g., methods of communication and
communication protocol)
[2-K-1] Site and site services (e.g., parking, waste management, capacity, power,
telecommunications and floor plan)
[2-K-3] Transportation (e.g., manifests, shuttle service, airport service and valet)
[2-K-15] Shipping and receiving (e.g., drayage, trucking and courier service)
[3-D] Coordinate load-in; load-out
[1-K] Identify protocol and ceremony needs and develop protocol plans as required
(e.g., dignitaries, government and other officials, special equipment, flags and
emblems)
[2-K-9] Guest services (e.g., handicap accessibility, translation, hospitality and VIP
services)
[1-D] Analyze site requirements and select appropriate site
[2-F] Develop a site plan
[2-K-1] Site and site services (e.g., parking, waste management, capacity, power,
telecommunications and floor plan)
[3-F] Conduct pre- and post-inspection of event (e.g., security, health and safety,
client, staff and site)
[3-G] Establish behind-the-scenes locations (e.g., green room, production office and
rehearsal space)
[1-K] Identify protocol and ceremony needs and develop protocol plans as required
(e.g., dignitaries, government and other officials, special equipment, flags and
emblems)
[2-K-6] Rentals (e.g., delivery and setup)
[1-B] Identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT analysis)
[1-C] Identify event element requirements (e.g., technical production, food and
beverage, ancillary programs, entertainment, risk management, and dcor)
[1-L] Conduct a risk assessment and analysis
[2-L] Devise contingency and response plans
[3-C] Implement risk monitoring and control systems as needed (e.g., contingency
and response plans, and safety procedures)
[3-F] Conduct pre- and post-inspection of event (e.g., security, health and safety,
client, staff and site)
[1-N] Ensure event complies with all federal, provincial, and state legislation and
local ordinances
[1-O] Ensure event complies with labor union jurisdictions and regulations
[2-K-9] Guest services (e.g., handicap accessibility, translation, hospitality and VIP
services)

Decisions

Emergency

Health/Safety

Insurance

Legal

Security

[2-M] Ensure event complies with licensing regulations and other intellectual
property rights (e.g., ASCAP and BMI)
[2-N] Secure all necessary insurance coverage, licenses, permits, waivers, and other
compliance instruments and documentation
[3-H] Response to and documentation of incidents and changes (e.g., incident
reports, change orders and Signed authorizations)
[2-K-8] Risk management (e.g., security, EMS, contract liability, fire marshal and
crowd control)
[2-K-8] Risk management (e.g., security, EMS, contract liability, fire marshal and
crowd control)
[1-P] Determine proper insurance coverage (e.g., liability, event insurance, additional
insurances)
[2-N] Secure all necessary insurance coverage, licenses, permits, waivers, and other
compliance instruments and documentation
[2-K-8] Risk management (e.g., security, EMS, contract liability, fire marshal and
crowd control)
[2-O] Negotiate and execute necessary agreements, contracts, leases and other
legal documents
[3-E] Ensure conceptual and contractual compliance of event
[4-E] Ensure full compliance with contractual obligations (e.g., equipment return and
payment schedules)
[2-K-8] Risk management (e.g., security, EMS, contract liability, fire marshal and
crowd control)