Get Certified To Be A Private Club Event Professional

How to Earn the Industry's First Certification Created Exclusively for Private Club Event Professionals—and Transform Not Only Your Career, but Your Club's Entire Member Experience

From Lynne LaFond DeLuca, Founder and Executive Director, ACCP

The Certified Club Event Professional (CCEP) Certification Program Will Give You the Professional Credential, Strategic Framework, and Industry Recognition That Transforms Your Career—and Your Club's Member Experience

Join the only certification program designed exclusively for private club catering and event professionals who want to elevate their knowledge, professionalism, career and be recognized as strategic industry leaders.

Trusted by leading private clubs and recognized by the industry's top publications.

Sound On - Get Ready to Learn!

Start Your Certification Journey Now

The only comprehensive world-class training system built for private club catering and event professionals who want industry-recognized credentials, proven expertise, strategic frameworks, and career elevation.

Position yourself as a strategic leader, master financial acumen, leverage emerging technology, and earn the professional credential that transforms your career.

With This Certification Program, YOU’LL LEARN

How to position yourself

as a strategic leader—not just an event coordinator—with a proven framework that earns you a seat at the leadership table, confidence in planning meetings, and recognition as someone who drives member retention and club culture - the CCEP designation after your name that signals you are a trained, certified strategic professional and industry leader.

How to elevate the member experience

at your club through innovative thinking, teamwork, fresh ideas and organizational skills.

How to master the financial side

of club events using revenue strategies, budget frameworks, and vendor negotiation tactics that increase your club's financial stability.

How to leverage AI and emerging technology

to streamline operations, modernize event execution, and future-proof your career while your peers are still catching up to industry changes.

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From Catering Director to Industry Visionary

Your phone won’t stop buzzing.

It’s Saturday morning and you’re fielding last-minute changes from a member whose daughter’s wedding is in six hours. The florist is running late. The chef just told you the entree count is wrong. And your GM wants to know why the banquet revenue is down this quarter.

You look composed on the outside—professional, capable, holding it all together. But inside? You’re running on adrenaline and institutional knowledge you had to teach yourself. There was no training for this. No certification. No roadmap.

You’ve attended the hospitality conferences. Read the industry magazines. Tried to adapt generic event planning advice to the private club world. And still, the challenges keep coming. The high member expectations. The budget pressures. The feeling that no matter how flawless your events are, there’s no credential that proves what you’re actually worth.

Here’s what nobody told you:

You can’t adapt a generic hospitality certification to the private club world. Your members aren’t hotel guests—they’re owners. They expect a level of personalization, consistency, and excellence that no general event training prepares you for. The club industry needed something built from the inside. Until now, it didn’t exist.

—Lynne LaFond DeLuca

From Event Coordinator to Industry Visionary Your phone won't stop buzzing. It's Saturday morning and you're fielding last-minute changes from a member whose daughter's wedding is in six hours. The florist is running late. The chef just told you the entree count is wrong. And your GM wants to know why the banquet revenue is down this quarter. You look composed on the outside—professional, capable, holding it all together. But inside? You're running on adrenaline and institutional knowledge you had to teach yourself. There was no training for this. No certification. No roadmap. You've attended the hospitality conferences. Read the industry magazines. Tried to adapt generic event planning advice to the private club world. And still, the challenges keep coming. The impossible member expectations. The budget pressures. The feeling that no matter how flawless your events are, there's no credential that proves what you're actually worth. Here's what nobody told you: You can't adapt a generic hospitality certification to the private club world. Your members aren't hotel guests—they're owners. They expect a level of personalization, consistency, and excellence that no general event training prepares you for. The club industry needed something built from the inside. Until now, it didn't exist. —Lynne LaFond DeLuca
From Event Coordinator to Industry Visionary Your phone won't stop buzzing. It's Saturday morning and you're fielding last-minute changes from a member whose daughter's wedding is in six hours. The florist is running late. The chef just told you the entree count is wrong. And your GM wants to know why the banquet revenue is down this quarter. You look composed on the outside—professional, capable, holding it all together. But inside? You're running on adrenaline and institutional knowledge you had to teach yourself. There was no training for this. No certification. No roadmap. You've attended the hospitality conferences. Read the industry magazines. Tried to adapt generic event planning advice to the private club world. And still, the challenges keep coming. The impossible member expectations. The budget pressures. The feeling that no matter how flawless your events are, there's no credential that proves what you're actually worth. Here's what nobody told you: You can't adapt a generic hospitality certification to the private club world. Your members aren't hotel guests—they're owners. They expect a level of personalization, consistency, and excellence that no general event training prepares you for. The club industry needed something built from the inside. Until now, it didn't exist. —Lynne LaFond DeLuca
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92% of private club catering and event professionals have no formal certification in their field

You’re managing six-figure budgets, orchestrating complex events, and directly impacting member retention—yet there’s been no professional credential to prove your expertise or guide your growth.

The Invisible Workload

You're expected to be a mind reader who anticipates every member preference. You're the budget wizard who delivers champagne experiences on beer budgets. You're the designer who stays ahead of trends your members saw on Pinterest last week. You're doing the work of five roles with the title of one.

No Industry Standard

Most approaches give you general event knowledge, manage vendor relationships, or teach hospitality basics. None of them address the specific challenges of private club culture—member expectations, retention strategy, club governance, and the unique financial dynamics that make your role so complex.You did the best you could because nothing else existed. Until now.

There's a Smarter Way to Elevate Your Career What if you could prove your expertise with an industry-recognized certification? What if you could confidently walk into budget meetings, vendor negotiations, and member consultations knowing you have the strategic training that sets you apart? What if this certification opened doors to promotions, higher salaries, and the professional recognition you've earned? What if you had a comprehensive framework you could use for the rest of your career—in any club, at any level, for any event? That's not wishful thinking. That's the CCEP. And the program is available to you right now.
There's a Smarter Way to Elevate Your Career What if you could prove your expertise with an industry-recognized certification? What if you could confidently walk into budget meetings, vendor negotiations, and member consultations knowing you have the strategic training that sets you apart? What if this certification opened doors to promotions, higher salaries, and the professional recognition you've earned? What if you had a comprehensive framework you could use for the rest of your career—in any club, at any level, for any event? That's not wishful thinking. That's the CCEP. And the program is available to you right now.

There's a Smarter Way to Elevate Your Career

What if you could prove your expertise with an industry-recognized certification? What if you could confidently walk into event planning and budget meetings, vendor negotiations, and member board and committee meetings knowing you have the strategic training that sets you apart?

That’s not wishful thinking. That’s the CCEP. And the training program is available to you right now.

Enroll Now

Her Vision to Fill the Gap That Held Our Industry Back

I’m Lynne LaFond DeLuca. My club industry career began in 1992 with ClubCorp (now Invited), where I started as a Catering Director.

Quickly, I was promoted to positions that didn’t even exist yet—Regional Private Events Director, then Vice President of Private Events, eventually overseeing all 225 clubs in the ClubCorp portfolio. I was building the plane while flying it. There was no certification, no formal training, no industry standards. I learned through trial, error, and countless hours of just “figuring it out.”

This led me to a question that would define my career: If the private club industry has certifications for general managers, membership directors, chefs, and golf professionals—why is there nothing for the people creating the experiences that drive member satisfaction and retention and create memories that will last a lifetime?

I spent the next decade building the answer. I founded the ACCP in 2011 as the first and only association dedicated specifically to private club catering and event departments. But one thing was still missing—a certification.

What I discovered working with hundreds of clubs confirmed everything:

The industry needed consistency, standards, and a path to elevate professionalism—all while maintaining each club’s individual personality, creativity, and culture. Nothing “new” had been launched in the club industry in many years. I knew this needed to be done and it was going to be “from scratch”.

Lynne LaFond DeLuca is the Founder and Executive Director of the Association of Club Catering & Event Professionals (ACCP). ACCP has been recognized as Association of the Year three times by Boardroom Magazine, and has won awards for innovation and education. This certification represents everything Lynne wishes had existed when she was building her career in the clubs.

Pricing

Choose Your Plan

Individual CCEP Certification

$1,800

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What’s Included:

  • Lifetime access to all 14 comprehensive courses
  • Interactive workbooks for each course
  • Knowledge assessment quizzes
  • Professional CCEP credential upon completion
  • ACCP member community and resources
  • Annual curriculum updates
  • Certificate and lapel pin

CCEP + ACCP Membership

$2,325

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Everything in Individual, Plus:

  • Priority access to ACCP events and the National Educational Experience
  • Enhanced networking opportunities with certified professionals
  • Access to creative partners and industry resources with ACCP member benefit discounts
  • A full library of online education, resources, sample documents and templates and Event best Practices and Ideas, shared from clubs across the country.

CCEP + Premier ACCP Membership

$2,625

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Everything in CCEP + ACCP Membership, Plus:

  • Personal mentoring sessions with industry experts
  • Premier member recognition and resources

Looking to certify your team?

Talk to us about Club Team Certification Package Custom Pricing for groups of 3 or more.

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Train Anytime Anywhere. Your Way.

Learn at your own pace with fully interactive courses. Whether you’re at your desk between events or reviewing content at home after a busy weekend, dive into the material when it suits you best. Engage through interactive videos, comprehensive workbooks, and practical quizzes that test your knowledge and prepare you for real-world application.

Join a Motivated Community.

Engage with fellow ACCP members and certified professionals who understand your challenges. Connect with industry experts, share best practices, and access ongoing support as you implement what you’ve learned. This isn’t just a certification—it’s membership in a professional community.

Engage with fellow ACCP members and certified professionals who understand your challenges. Connect with industry experts, share best practices, and access ongoing support as you implement what you've learned. This isn't just a certification—it's membership in a professional community.
Engage with fellow ACCP members and certified professionals who understand your challenges. Connect with industry experts, share best practices, and access ongoing support as you implement what you've learned. This isn't just a certification—it's membership in a professional community.

Master Your Skills With Interactive Training.

Leverage our training system to challenge your knowledge through interactive quizzes and comprehensive workbooks. Each course includes practical assessments that ensure you’re not just learning theory—you’re building skills you can implement immediately at your club.

Leverage our training system to challenge your knowledge through interactive quizzes and comprehensive workbooks. Each course includes practical assessments that ensure you're not just learning theory—you're building skills you can implement immediately at your club.
Leverage our training system to challenge your knowledge through interactive quizzes and comprehensive workbooks. Each course includes practical assessments that ensure you're not just learning theory—you're building skills you can implement immediately at your club.

Track Your Progress. Measure your Growth.

Track your progress with our world-class interactive training system. Work through 14 comprehensive courses covering everything from member experience to financial strategy to emerging technologies. Track your quiz scores, complete practical workbooks, and watch your expertise grow with each chapter.

Track your progress with our world-class interactive training system. Work through 14 comprehensive courses covering everything from member experience to financial strategy to emerging technologies. Track your quiz scores, complete practical workbooks, and watch your expertise grow with each chapter.
Track your progress with our world-class interactive training system. Work through 14 comprehensive courses covering everything from member experience to financial strategy to emerging technologies. Track your quiz scores, complete practical workbooks, and watch your expertise grow with each chapter.

Industry-Leading. Structured. Proven.

Everything inside the CCEP Program is designed to create real, measurable professional growth—step by step.

14 comprehensive courses

covering every aspect of modern club event management—from member experience to financial strategy to emerging technologies

Interactive video training

from industry experts with real-world examples and actionable strategies you can implement immediately

Comprehensive workbooks

for each course with planning templates, strategic frameworks, and practical exercises that become part of your professional toolkit

Knowledge assessment quizzes

designed to confirm mastery and identify areas for deeper study before certification

Annual curriculum updates

including Course 14—a revolving chapter that introduces new concepts, trends, and technologies as they emerge

Continuing education pathway

with ongoing webinars, live training sessions, and mentoring opportunities that keep your certification active and your expertise sharp

Real Results from Real Professionals

An Investment in My Passion That Benefits Our Members

“Continuing my education and working toward my Certified Club Event Professional certification would mean so much to me, both professionally and personally. I truly love what I do, and every conference, class, and industry event I attend pushes me to keep learning and improving. I see this certification as an investment in my education, creativeness and passion—and that directly benefits the club. The more knowledge and perspective I gain, the better I can serve our members, strengthen our events, and contribute to the overall success of the department.”

— Kimberlina Escalera, The Beach Club

Bringing Elevated Best Practices to Every Event We Produce

“I am beyond excited for this opportunity to sharpen my knowledge in club-specific event strategy, operations, and member experience. For me personally, it is a validation of the work I am passionate about and the commitment to continuing to grow as a leader in the events industry. For my Club, it means bringing elevated best practices, enhanced ways of thinking and an even higher level of professionalism to every event we produce.”

— Serena Pinatelli, Los Altos Golf & Country Club

Professional Growth That Builds Member Pride and Loyalty

“Head over heels excited for this certification! For my career, it’s a meaningful step in professional growth and credibility; for the club, it means enhanced consistency, creativity, and member experiences that build pride, loyalty, and retention.”

— Julie Howell, Lakewood Yacht Club

Finally, a Certification That Reflects Our True Expertise

“I am very excited about the Certified Club Event Professional designation. Event professionals in private clubs wear many hats and manage incredibly complex, high-touch experiences, yet our role has never had a formal certification that truly reflects that expertise. A program like this not only validates the skill, strategy, and creativity required in our work, but also elevates the profession across the entire club industry. For my club, it reinforces a commitment to excellence, professionalism, and continued education, giving members confidence that their events are being led by a certified expert who understands both hospitality and the unique culture of private clubs.”

— Emily Frazier, Starmount Forest Country Club

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know before getting started.

Yes, the CCEP certification is exclusively available to ACCP members. If you’re not currently a member, you can join ACCP and enroll in the certification program at the same time through our website registration process.

Your investment includes lifetime access to all 14 comprehensive courses, interactive workbooks for each course, knowledge assessment quizzes, and your professional CCEP credential upon completion. You’ll also have access to the ACCP member community and resources.

The program is self-paced, so completion time varies based on your schedule. Most professionals complete the certification within 4-6 months while working full-time. You have lifetime access, so you can move through the material at a pace that works for you.

Both membership tiers provide access to the certification program at the same price. Premier members receive additional benefits including personal mentoring sessions with industry experts.

Many clubs recognize the value of education and professional development and cover the certification cost for their catering and event directors. The individual registers using their club’s information, and payment typically comes from the club via credit card or check.

Certified professionals drive measurable results: stronger member retention, reduced staff turnover, and elevated standards that distinguish your club. The strategic frameworks reduce costly mistakes while increasing event revenue. Leading clubs recognize that certification demonstrates commitment to excellence and positions them as employers of choice in a competitive market.

Yes, to maintain your CCEP credential, certified professionals must complete ongoing continuing education requirements. This includes completing 6 ACCP webinars, participating in live training sessions, and maintaining active ACCP membership. These requirements ensure you stay current with industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices.

Absolutely. Many clubs invest in certification for multiple team members including assistant directors, catering managers, and event coordinators. Each person completes the program individually and receives their own CCEP credential at $1,800 per certification.

Upon completing all 14 courses and passing the assessments, you’ll receive your official CCEP credential, a certificate, and a lapel pin you can wear with pride. You’ll be recognized as a Certified Club Event Professional with the industry’s first and only specialized certification, positioning you for career advancement and industry leadership.

Why The CCEP Certification?

Because generic hospitality training just doesn’t work in the private club industry.

What You've Tried / Why It Falls Short

Generic hospitality certifications

Don't address private club member expectations, culture, or governance

Conference workshops and one-off sessions

Temporary inspiration with no lasting framework

Learning on the job through trial and error

Years of costly mistakes without professional recognition

Adapting hotel and resort event training

Private club dynamics are fundamentally different from commercial hospitality

"Just figuring it out"

No credential to show for your expertise when it's time for a promotion

Networking without credentials

Connections without certification leave you without leverage

The CCEP Certification teaches you how to lead your club's event operation at the highest level—using a proven, industry-specific system and a credential you own for life.

Ready to earn the credential your career deserves—not just keep figuring it out?

Enroll Now
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Get Certified To Be A Private Club Event Professional Let Me Show You How to Earn the Industry's First Certification Created Exclusively for Private Club Event Professionals—and Transform Not Only Your Career, but Your Club's Entire Member Experience
  • Association of Club Catering Professionals
  • [email protected]
  • P.O. Box 800266 Santa Clarita, CA 91380-0266
© 2026 Association of Club Catering Professionals. All rights reserved.
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