New CAE Rafael Matallana: “It’s about more than just passing a test”
The Summer 2013 class of Certified Association Executives has finished its certification program, with 99 graduates this year bringing the total number of CAEs worldwide to more than 4,000.
Administered by the American Society of Association Executives, the CAE program is designed "to elevate professional standards, enhance individual performance, and designate those who have acquired and can demonstrate knowledge essential to the practice of association management."
That urge to elevate his professional knowledge and stature is what drove Rafael Matallana to sign up.
In his 13 years with the Chartered Financial Analysts Institute in New York, most recently as relationship manager for Latin America, Matallana has taken several of ASAE’s professional development programs.
And while he is proud of the letters he now can use after his name, he has come to appreciate the true educational value of the CAE.
"The CAE is about more than just passing a test," he says. "The preparation is so rich, it’s a great learning experience."
In addition to taking 100 hours of professional development courses, Matallana spent 10 weeks just preparing for the 200-question certification exam.
Every Monday night from March to April he joined an online study group, which each week focused on one of the nine domains covered in the test.
Guest mentors joined in to guide and tutor the group, too.
Above and beyond learning facts and figures, just being part of the group was a great educational experience, he says.
The CFA Institute, a global association that provides professional development programs and sets standards for the investment industry, now has four more students in the program. And everyone in his study group passed the exam.
The next CAE examination will be administered on December 6, 2013; the application deadline is September 27.
For more details, contact Lori Furtado, CAE, director of credentialing, at 202-626-2759 or [email protected].
By Cheryl Rosen
Cheryl
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season