Earning the CEM designation is a game changer! IAEE interviewed graduate Żaneta Berus, MBA, CEM of In2Win Business Consulting. Read about this gamechanger’s CEM journey and why she believes in continuous education.
Hometown: Warsaw, Poland
University of Education: Economic University Poznań
How has the CEM designation helped in your career?
I love constant learning and updating my knowledge even though I already have 25 years experience in the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions (MICE) sector. CEM offers practical knowledge which touch various parts of the exhibitions and events business. It is also useful to compare the knowledge of European markets to the U.S. markets.
Why is it important to maintain the CEM designation?
Constant learning is a must nowadays when new information, solutions and technologies are being introduced to the MICE industry all the time. To keep our knowledge updated, we need to learn what’s new.
What made you want to obtain your CEM designation?
My experience in the industry, as well as my willingness to learn more, made me want to get the CEM designation. Once I earned my CEM, I wanted to become a trainer and share this knowledge in my country.
What advice would you give to an aspiring individual who wants to apply for the CEM program?
Always be open to more valuable knowledge as will be useful in your present position and will help you grow in the industry.
How did you start your career in this industry?
I always liked people, economic promotion and learning from the best people. Exhibitions and events combine all of this. After my studies, I decided that my career will be a combination of economic promotion and sales. As I was on this track, I started getting knowledge from various types of work: associations, production companies, chambers of commerce, diplomacy, exhibition venues and organizers. My first role in the exhibitions industry was for the Polish Chamber of Commerce in 1990, where I organized trade missions to foreign fairs. It was a very challenging time because Poland just left the communist block and started to live in a free economy world.
How have you made a difference with your show or with working with a client by applying the knowledge you gained by obtaining your CEM designation?
The CEM designation verifies the knowledge I’ve gained in my 25 years in the exhibitions and events industry. I’ve come up with solutions for our organization for our exhibition floor patterns and sales.
What was it that you did or implemented right after obtaining your CEM?
After receiving my CEM, I started doing ROI calculations and exhibition floor numbering.
What did you like most about the CEM Learning Program?
I liked the ease of the CEM journey and learning from other CEM candidates on their experiences.
Fun fact about you – What is one thing most people don’t know about you?
I moved 12 times in my life and I love learning foreign languages so that I can communicate better with different people.
