The European Sponsorship Association (ESA) is delighted to announce the launch of the 2023 ESA Diploma, which will begin its 12th year as the industry’s premier and most prized qualification in January.
Enrolment is now open and all candidates wishing to qualify for a significant discount on their booking fee can take advantage of an early bird deadline of Friday 25 November. ESA Members can also benefit from further discounts.
To date, the Diploma has qualified more than 600 students, many of whom now hold significant senior positions in the industry. Achieving the qualification is the ultimate accolade for professionals seeking to progress in sponsorship and sports marketing, and the Diploma is increasingly seen as a prerequisite for employers seeking the most talented and best-prepared staff available.
What to expect in 2023
The Class of ’23 will benefit from updated learning materials as they tackle a series of stimulating exercises, including a long-term project involving a real-life sponsorship challenge. Digital seminars will be presented by a wide range of industry luminaries and newly-initiated social gatherings will enable valuable networking.
Achieving the prestigious Diploma now enables all successful students to join the ESA Diploma Alumni Society, set to become the industry’s largest and most influential networking group with more than 200 members having joined since its introduction in spring 2022.
ESA Diploma scholarship
In 2021, ESA marked 10 years of the ESA Diploma by launching the ESA Diploma Scholarship, created to help grow the diversity of the sponsorship industry by offering one applicant a place on the 2022 ESA Diploma course.
The inaugural scholar, Nobandile Mutseyekwa, has already stepped up a rung on her career ladder by joining MSL UK as Junior Account Executive while studying for the 2022 ESA Diploma.
ESA Diploma scholar Nobandile Mutseyekwa said: “I’ve really enjoyed the course so far. As a newcomer to the industry, the biggest thing I’ve gained – apart from knowledge – is the confidence boost it gives you.
“Having access to expert seminars and resources is really insightful and helpful, and it feels as if the Diploma is like a door into the sponsorship industry. The support of the ESA team has been great too.
“As a recent graduate looking for job opportunities, I wouldn’t have been able to do the course without the Scholarship, so it has removed a lot of that stress. I’m proud to be the first recipient and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to anyone starting out in the industry.”
Applications for the 2023 ESA Diploma Scholarship are now open.
Key dates
- ESA Diploma enrolment (early bird): Friday 25 November 2022
- Scholarship applications deadline: Friday 25 November 2022
- ESA Diploma enrolment (final): Thursday 19 January 2023
- Course begins: Friday 20 January 2023
Comments
ESA Diploma Course Director, Peter Raymond, said: “After 11 incredibly successful and invigorating Diploma experiences, we’re already preparing a captivating course for 2023. Following the interruption to all of our lives during the lockdown period, the industry is proving its resilience but, with a few difficult years possibly ahead, it’s more important than ever to future-proof your career.
“In the world of sponsorship, the ESA Diploma has become the essential piece of transformative learning and knowledge enhancement. I much look forward to welcoming our new class and am sure we will provide them with an enriching experience.”
ESA Chairman, Andy Westlake, added: “The ESA Diploma now has an established reputation as an essential qualification among recruiters and companies across Europe. Through initiatives such as the ESA Diploma Scholarship, the course has also become a cornerstone of our mission to inspire, unite and grow a welcoming and diverse sponsorship industry.
“I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the ESA Diploma to individuals who intend to advance in sponsorship. It’s a real asset for all brands, rights holders and other organisations that aspire to best practice in this key area of the marketing mix.”
ESA Member testimonial
Gordon Tannock, Head of Partner Services and Tour with ESA member Arsenal FC, said: “I have been an advocate of the ESA Diploma since it was launched in 2012. Since then, over 30 members of my team have completed the ESA Diploma and they have all benefited from the educational materials and the industry networking opportunities the course offers. As we want the industry to continue to flourish, I believe the Diploma is an essential learning component for our future leaders.”
Click here for more information about the 2023 ESA Diploma
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About ESA
Celebrating its 35th anniversary in 2023, the European Sponsorship Association is a membership body that aims to inspire, unite and grow a welcoming and diverse sponsorship industry. Visit sponsorship.org for more.
Media queries
Jonathan Coates | ESA Marketing, Communications and Events Manager
marketing@sponsorship.org | +44 7788 352219