CPCE case studies
CPCE · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The Certified Professional in Catering and Events (CPCE) is a professional credential administered by the National Association for Catering and Events (NACE). NACE describes it as the only certification focused specifically on the business of catering and events, which separates it from broader hospitality or meeting-management credentials. The CPCE case studies are 5 cases and about 3,322 words.
1The Forty-Five Minute Flip
Your venue hosts a 450-guest awards dinner. The client refuses to move the 6:00 p.m.
572 words, about 3 min2The 300-Delegate Discount
Your 18,000 sq ft conference centre logged 1,140 enquiries last year and converted 38%, down from 52% two years ago. Attendee-days sold rose 4%, but average rate fell from 168 to 151 per attendee-day, and the sales manager - paid on total booked revenue - has approved nearly every discount request.
668 words, about 3 min3The Empty Monday Lunch
Your 220-seat banquet operation budgets 2.4 million in revenue at an average check of 76, roughly 31,500 covers a year. Food cost runs 28% of revenue; labor 34%, of which 60% is salaried and scheduled regardless of volume; other variable costs (linen, rentals, space utilities) 9%.
652 words, about 3 min4Overtime, Agency, or a Hire
Your banquet department runs 22 servers and needs 30 on peak Saturdays. Last month it logged 320 overtime hours - concentrated in the same six servers at 18.50 base, so 27.75 an hour - plus 110 hours of agency labor billed at 31 an hour with a three-hour minimum per shift.
608 words, about 3 min5Three Days Out
Three days before a 220-guest wedding at a private estate, four things land at once. (1) The estate's certificate of insurance expired last month; the owner says the renewal is 'in the mail.' (2) The client wants to supply her own wine and beer and have your banquet servers pour it - your company holds no liquor licence, and the estate's licence covers only events the estate itself hosts.
822 words, about 4 min