Over the coming months the PCO Association will continue to profile one of the association’s Certified Event Companies (CEC) by way of a Q & A.
In this interview Karen Sainsbury from Cornerstone answers our questions on what it means to be 
a Certified Event Company (CEC) with the PCO Association.
Cornerstone are current members of both nationally recognised industry bodies, Meetings and Events Association and Professional Conference Organisers Association, and are also accredited as a Certified Event Management Company by the PCO Association.
Managing Director of Operations, Natalie Brumniach has accreditation with the PCO Association and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and Karen Sainsbury, Managing Director of Sales & Operations is also an accreditation holder and is additionally one of the national councillors of the PCO Association.
Additionally, as an affiliate of the House of Travel Network, Cornerstone is accredited by IATA and AFTA, a global organisation to ensure customer service and ethics in the travel industry, and the Peak representation body of travel agents in Australia.
The team who will work with you to deliver your events are mature, experienced and driven to achieve your objectives.Below we hear from one of our Certified Event Companies (CEC)
Q: How many years have you been trading as an Event Management Company?
A: We began operating 7 and a half years ago under the name HOT Events Australia, recently rebranding to Cornerstone Events in 2016.
Q: What does being a Certified Event Company (CEC) mean to your business?
A: Being a Certified Event Company reinforces that we are following industry guidelines, it also enables us to ensure that we have a 3rd party auditor who has verified that we are operating above industry standards.
Q: What were some of the challenges you faced when applying for your CEC?
A: There were no major challenges in applying for the CEC as we have been very thorough since the inception of our company in ensuring we operate ethically and record all policies and procedures. We also have invested heavily in our risk management and risk mitigation procedures allowing us to be able to cover all required documentation.
Q: Name your three main reasons why an Event Company should be accredited
A:
1. To reassure prospective clients that they’re working with an event management business who has been recognised as being: committed to ensuring the highest quality event management business practices, consistency and reliability in the delivery of services, professional standards and dedication to continuous improvement.
2. It is a measure to ensure authenticity within the industry.
3. It reinforces the professionalism and integrity in the industry
Accreditation provides both clients and industry with an assurance that the event management business they are or could be dealing with is committed to the highest quality event management business practices, consistency and reliability in the delivery of services, professional standards and dedication to continuous improvement.
The PCO Association CEC Program is independently audited. For a company to be awarded CEC accreditation it must have a minimum of one Certified Event Manager (CEM) employed in the business and additionally satisfy criteria that is audited by an independent certified practicing (CPA) accountant.
Accreditation is valid for a period of three years, after which time the business needs to apply again to maintain their accreditation
Karen Sainsbury
M +61 (0) 439 457 672
E: karen@cornerstoneevents.com.au
W: cornerstoneevents.com.au