Santa Barbara Event Professionals

The goal of the Santa Barbara Event Professionals (SBEP) is to promote professionalism in the event industry in the local area, to network, and to get to know each other�s work on a first hand basis. Our membership includes some to Santa Barbara's most talented and creative event specialists.

SBEP membership will include a wide range of businesses, from familiar professionals like florists and photographers, to other often overlooked services, such as gift registries or magicians to entertain at the event. This diversity of skills and talents is what can make the difference between an ordinary event and a great one.

Membership in the SBEP represents a high quality level of workmanship, talent, capabilities and a commitment to excellence. We hope that any affiliation with the SBEP will enhance business skills as well as one�s awareness of other talented event professionals in the Santa Barbara area.

Lastly, and most importantly, the SBEP is a member driven organization. Everyone works on a volunteer basis to enhance the level of professionalism in the Santa Barbara event industry. It is imperative as a member that you do your part to get to know other members, but also to promote the organization to your customers and area residents as well. The SBEP will provide many useful tools, but the responsibility lies within the membership.

 

Membership Benefits

  • Your business name and phone number printed in the SBEP brochure
  • Your business listed on the SBEP web site – www.sbep.com
  • Visibility from all SBEP placed advertisements and co-op advertising
  • Logos for use in your advertising
  • Membership plaque
  • Participate in a SBEP Showcase
  • Networking at all functions
  • Membership prices at all functions for all employees
  • Distribute flyers or brochures at any of the meetings

Monthly Mixers

We generally meet the second Thursday of each month at 5:30pm. The exact date, time and location may be found on the Calendar of our web site www.sbep.com. At each mixer, participating companies will have the opportunity to showcase their work ,present their company and any highlights that may be a benefit to potential clients or other members. Attendees get first-hand experience of each showcasing members’ specialty and are then able to refer them accordingly. There is always plenty of time for networking opportunities.

There will be an information table, with a sign in sheet, where members can set out business cards, flyers or other information about their business. There will be a business card bank keeping member’s business cards. Members are encouraged to keep their cards in the bank as well as take other member’s cards for their disbursement. Guests and potential members are welcome to attend up to two meetings before we ask them to become a member.

The fee for mixers is $15 for members and $20 for guests. Online registration is encouraged.

Code of Ethics

  • Promote and encourage the highest level of ethics within the profession of the special events industry while maintaining the highest standards of professional conduct.
  • Strive for excellence in all aspects of our profession by performing consistently at or above acceptable industry standards.
  • Prospective and existing members will not use the organization for independent sales opportunities other than those related to the event industry.
  • Use only legal and ethical means in all industry negotiations and activities.
  • Protect the public against fraud and unfair practices, and promotes all practices which bring respect and credit to the profession.
  • Provide truthful and accurate information with respect to the performance of duties.
  • Use a written contract clearly stating all charges, services, products, performance expectations and other essential information.
  • Maintain industry accepted standards of safety and sanitation.
  • Maintain adequate and appropriate insurance coverage for all business activities.
  • Commit to increase professional growth and knowledge, to attend educational programs and to personally contribute expertise to meetings and journals.
  • Members shall encourage promising persons to enter the profession and to grow therein to become the best in their chosen profession.
  • Strive to cooperate with colleagues, suppliers, employees, employers and all persons supervised, in order to provide the highest quality of service at every level.
  • Subscribe to the SBEP Principles of Professional Conduct and Ethics, and abide by the SBEP Bylaws and policies.

New Applicant Requirements

  • Proof of having been in business for three years
  • Worked an event within the past six months
  • Copy of current business license
  • Copy of other licensing necessary for your profession
  • Letter of recommendation or copy of a thank you note from a former client
  • Three letters of recommendation from a current
  • SBEP member
  • Signed membership application agreeing to abide by the SBEP Code of Ethics and Membership Requirements
  • Pay the membership fee
  • Approval by the SBEP Board

Membership Requirements

  • Attend a minimum of one meeting per quarter, general meeting or showcase
  • Provide written contracts to all clients
  • Cooperate with SBEP activities and efforts to promote and improve the professionalism of the special event business
  • Respond rapidly and honestly to any complaints forwarded by the SBEP board
  • Adhere to the SBEP Code of Ethics and cooperate with SBEP policies
  • Use the SBEP name and logo in advertising whenever possible
  • Pay any SBEP bill in a timely manner
  • Renew Membership each year before the December 31st deadline.

 

SBEP Membership Application Form
Since the application must be signed and accompanied by a check, please print the download and print the form.