WIPA Announces The First Certified Wedding Industry Professional Recipients

The Wedding International Professionals Association (WIPA) awards the Certified Wedding Industry Professional (CWIP) designation to individuals who contributed to the development of the CWIP certification and the Professional’s Guide to the Wedding Industry guidebook.

CWIP contributors are defined by one of five categories: executive editors of the guidebook, competency study research, members of the certification review committee, members of the certification development committee, and individuals who contributed to the development (vision) of the wedding certification.

As such, the first CWIP designations have been awarded to the following recipients:
Kevin Dennis
Timothy Lam
Donnell Bayot
Ashley Allan
Meghan Ely
Lindsay Fogarty
Daniela Grafman
Mara Mazdzer
Therese Cole-Hubbs
Rrivre Davies
Nahid Farhoud
Heather Jones
Pauline Parry
Brit Bertino
Paula Laskelle
and Carol Rosen.

Launched in 2022, the CWIP credential establishes a baseline of knowledge within the wedding community, elevating the professionalism of the entire industry. The cornerstone of the CWIP is a first-of-its-kind competency study for the wedding industry developed with research funding from the Timothy S.Y. Lam Foundation and conducted by Donnell G. Bayot Ph.D. CHE CPCE CFBE CWIP, director of academic affairs of The International School of Hospitality (TISOH).

“This is a project we have been working on for years and we are humbled by all of the support we received from experts across the wedding industry,” said Timothy M. Lam, executive director of TISOH. “The CWIP certification marks a new chapter for the industry and opens up new opportunities for wedding professionals everywhere. We couldn’t have done it without the help of our contributors.”

“The team at TISOH and our expert contributors have been instrumental in building a comprehensive CWIP curriculum that spans the breadth of industry knowledge within a modern context,” said Kevin Dennis CPCE CWIP, Certification Council Chair and WIPA’s Immediate Past President. “We look forward to seeing the wedding industry continue evolving into a multi-disciplinary field with defined competencies and professional rigor.”

CWIP designations are issued by WIPA, with development and learner training done by TISOH, and administration handled by Certplace.

Click here for more information on the CWIP.

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