Gregory Vogt School for Retail Professionals

The Gregory Vogt School (GVS) E- Learning for Retail Professionals cover a comprehensive, concentrated, rigorous course taught by prominent shopping centre industry experts from the USA, Europe and the Middle East who serve as faculty. It is designed to ensure that participants will learn how to develop, lease, market and operate a shopping centre successfully via online interactive sessions.
Unique Features
► Anytime, anywhere learning
► MECS+R certification valid across the industry
► Low cost for corporate companies and individual participants
► No productivity impact on participants
► No geographical limitations
► Learn the latest trends from our expert instructors
Production & Delivery
► Access to online content materials
► Complete the module assessment via various learning exercises
► Recorded training sessions with expert speakers
Upcoming Modules
Customer Experience

Learning Points
Customer Experience is defined as the impression you leave with your customer, resulting in how they think of your brand, across every stage of the customer journey. A good customer experience means that the individual's experience during all points of contact matches the individual's expectations. This module is designed to ensure delegates will learn the methodology of customer experience as well as its fundamental elements – Brand, Communication, Environment, Offering and Culture.
Course Modules
Customer Experience - Introduction | 5 Minutes |
Customer Experience - Methodology | 12 Minutes |
Elements of Customer Experience - Brands | 8 Minutes |
Elements of Customer Experience - Communication | 12 Minutes |
Elements of Customer Experience - Environment | 6 Minutes |
Elements of Customer Experience - Offering | 4 Minutes |
Elements of Customer Experience - Culture | 8 Minutes |
Elements of Customer Experience - Closing | 2 Minutes |
Expert Instructors

MICHAEL RUCKMAN
President & CEO
Senteo
Shopping Centre Leasing

Learning Points
This module will give you insight on the basic principles of the art and science of leasing and learn how leasing can increase the value and effectively impact the income and retail productivity of the shopping centre.
- Understanding the basics and fundamentals of Leasing
- Financial Aspect of Leasing
- Forward-thinking and crisis-situation Leasing – with practical examples
How to determine lease rates?
- Minimum Base Rent - what is it? How do you determine how the minimum base rent is created and delivered? Examples of actual stores and how minimum base rent is determined and by who, when and why?
- Percentage Rent - what is it and how do you calculate it? Why percentage rent is so important in today’s leasing environment? What is the percent only rent?
- How to lease Rates vary depending on size, location, adjacencies in new shopping centers and in existing shopping centers with solid operational success?
Course Modules
The Basics of Leasing | 22 Minutes |
How to Determine Lease Rates | 13 Minutes |
Food and Beverage Leasing | 16 Minutes |
Successful Business - Relationship, Trust and Leasing | 28 Minutes |
Practical Guide to Lease Effectively | 18 Minutes |
Expert Instructors

DAVID MACADAM
CEO
MECS+R

GREGORY VOGT
Former Leasing Director
Gulf Related

HUSSAIN K JAMAL
Head of Operations
Mall of Muscat

SAMAR AKKOU
Leasing Manager
Nakheel Malls

SANJAY MADHOK
GM – F&B Leasing
Tamdeen Group
Shopping Centre Marketing

Learning Points
It is important that marketing professionals understand their role in creating values for their shopping centre. This module is designed to help professionals to manage the customer experience during pandemic crisis highlighting the following points:
- Marketing 101 and Back to the Basics
- Communicating a Clear Message
- New Ideas in the current retail environments
- History of Brands
- Main Pillars of Success Brands
- How to build your brand for Today's and Tomorrow's Worlds
Modules
Managing The Customers Experience During The Pandemic | 12 Minutes |
Foundation of Strong Brands | 19 Minutes |
Advanced Marketing - Brand Building in a Digital Age | 20 Minutes |
Expert Instructors

AMY JOHNSTONE
Founder & Managing Director
Verve Communication

HABIB BEAINI
Managing Director
Ninth Space

VANESSA HINTON
GM – Marketing
Nakheel Malls
Shopping Centre Management

Learning Points
Shopping Centre Management is an overall operation and maintenance of the entire infrastructure, including the services and utilities, ensuring that they are used in a way that are consistent with the purpose for which it was built. This course will focus on the fundamentals of management encompassing operations, facilities management, accounts, maintenance, marketing, leasing and all the other functions related to a mall.
Course Modules
Shopping Centre Management - Marketing | 8 Minutes |
Shopping Centre Management - Ancillary Leasing | 8 Minutes |
Shopping Centre Management - Operations | 6 Minutes |
Shopping Centre Management - Reporting | 7 Minutes |
Shopping Centre Management - Performance | 10 Minutes |
Shopping Centre Management - Enhancement | 8 Minutes |
The Role of Shopping Centre Manager | 9 Minutes |
Expert Instructors

SHANNON QUILTY
Partner
Senteo
Shopping Centre Operations

Learning Points
- Planning
- Center Management
- Tenants
- Visitor Management
- Facility Management
Modules
Reopening of Shopping Centres | 15 Minutes |
Expert Instructors

MAGNUS ROXNER
COO
Safe Shopping Centers
F&B Retail

Learning Points
This module offers participants the finest learning experience on the next new normal for food and beverages operators including the strategies beyond the pandemic era. The following are the highlights of this session:
- Introduction – overview of the current situation for Landlords and Food Operators
- Food & Hospitality First Principles
- Transition to Thrive
- Focus on Success
Modules
The Next Normal for F&B Operators - Strategies in a Post COVID-19 Era | 28 Minutes |
Expert Instructors

FRANCIS LOUGHRAN
Founder & Managing Director
Future Food
Communications

Learning Points
- Employee Engagement
- Employee Retention
- Client Retention
Course Modules
Communication in Time of Crisis - Introduction | 3 Minutes |
Communication in Time of Crisis - Challenges | 13 Minutes |
Communication in Time of Crisis - Conveying Your Message | 16 Minutes |
Communication in Time of Crisis - Retrain, Refine, & Reboot Your Communication | 10 Minutes |
Expert Instructors

Shannon Alter, CPM
National Instructor
IREM® and AMA
Customer Relations

Learning Points
- Prospecting
- Engagement
- Source
- Approach
Course Modules
The Importance of Customer Retention - Maintaining Relationships with Tenants and Retailers | 18 Minutes |
Expert Instructors

CHELSEA LAUREN
WALSH
RETAIL DEVELOPMENT
MANAGER
UPSCALE RETAIL + POP
RETAIL
Design and Development

Learning Points
- Designing a Project
- Financial Considerations
- Good Design
- Development Criteria
- Design Considerations
- How We Used Research to Inform the Design Process?
- Achieving Excellence in Design: A Case Study - University of Sharjah
Course Modules
Key Drivers of the Retail Development & Design | 22 Minutes |
How to Use Research to Inform the Design Process | 21 Minutes |
Expert Instructors

PHIL MCARTHUR, CRX,
CSM, CDP
FOUNDER AND CHAIRMAN
MCARTHUR RETAIL
DEVELOPMENT SPECIALISTS

COLIN BEATON
B.ARCH, MBA
MANAGING DIRECTOR
LIMELIGHT
Property Management

Learning Points
This module is all about 5 biggest challenges and disruption in Property Management:
- Hiring and maintaining the highest quality staff. The quality of the staff can make or break the organization
- Growing revenue in a high cost environment staff costs and operational costs continue to rise
- Property Damage and Unexpected Maintenance issues
- Time management staff efficiency
- Lowering Operating Costs
Course Modules
Property Management - Challenges & Disruptions | 17 Minutes |
Expert Instructors

DAVID MACADAM
CEO
MECS+R
Shopping Centre Marketing

Learning Points
- Higher business purpose - embedding purpose at the core of the business and defining the actionable pillars of the brand purpose
- The importance of social media in retail marketing
- How to create a memorable customer journey
- How to engage customers to become long-term clients
Modules
Creating More Value Through Brand Purpose | 17 Minutes |
Social Media for Retail | 11 Minutes |
Expert Instructors

HABIB BEAINI
Managing Director
Ninth Space

ZAIB SHADANI
FOUNDER
SHADANI CONSULTING
/ THECOMMSROOM.COM
Shopping Centre Operations

Learning Points
- Maintain Mall Assets Effectively
- Save Costs Through Efficient Operations
- Ensure Safety and Security For All
Course Modules
Shopping Centre Operations - Practical Guide to Driving Efficient in Mall Operations (Part 1 of 3) | 19 Minutes |
Shopping Centre Operations - Practical Guide to Driving Efficient in Mall Operations (Part 2 of 3) | 19 Minutes |
Shopping Centre Operations - Practical Guide to Driving Efficient in Mall Operations (Part 3 of 3) | 19 Minutes |
Expert Instructors

HUSSAIN K JAMAL
Head of Operations
Mall of Muscat
Retail Strategy

Learning Points
- Simple Strategic Planning
- Store Audit
- Five P Retail Model
Course Modules
Strategic Retail Planning (Part 1 of 2) | 18 Minutes |
Strategic Retail Planning (Part 2 of 2) | 17 Minutes |
Expert Instructors

RITESH MOHAN
AUTHOR AND FOUNDER
RETAILRITESH.COM
Security

Learning Points
- Planning Retail Security in a Changing World
- Reasons for Security Problems
Course Modules
Planning Retail Security in a Changing World | 13 Minutes |
Expert Instructors

CHARLES MALLICE
MCIISCM, MSYI
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Specialty Leasing

Learning Points
- Then – The history of Specialty Leasing and what that means to you
- Now – How Specialty Leasing has evolved and will continue to do so
- Future – What will Specialty Leasing look like
Course Modules
Specialty Leasing - Enhancing Customer Experience and Increasing Revenue with Unique Retail Concepts | 17 Minutes |
Expert Instructors

RACHEL WALTON
CO FOUNDER &
MANAGING PARTNER
UPSCALE RETAIL + POP
RETAIL
Food and Beverage

Learning Points
- Challenges of post-pandemic F and B operations
- Guest Protection
- Team Protection
- Compliance with new Municipality Guidelines
Course Modules
Hygiene Technology And Automation in F&B | 8 Minutes |
Expert Instructors

ABDUL KADER
SAADI
MANAGING DIRECTOR
GLEE HOSPITALITY
GVS E-Learning Course 2 Modules
Communications
Communication in Time of Crisis - Introduction | 3 Minutes |
Communication in Time of Crisis - Challenges | 13 Minutes |
Communication in Time of Crisis - Conveying Your Message | 16 Minutes |
Communication in Time of Crisis - Retrain, Refine, & Reboot Your Communication | 10 Minutes |
Customer Relations
The Importance of Customer Retention - Maintaining Relationships with Tenants and Retailers | 18 Minutes |
Design and Development
Key Drivers of the Retail Development & Design | 22 Minutes |
How to Use Research to Inform the Design Process | 21 Minutes |
F&B
Hygiene Technology And Automation in F&B | 8 Minutes |
Management
Property Management - Challenges & Disruptions | 17 Minutes |
Marketing
Creating More Value Through Brand Purpose | 17 Minutes |
Social Media for Retail | 11 Minutes |
Operations
Shopping Centre Operations - Practical Guide to Driving Efficient in Mall Operations (Part 1 of 3) | 19 Minutes |
Shopping Centre Operations - Practical Guide to Driving Efficient in Mall Operations (Part 2 of 3) | 19 Minutes |
Shopping Centre Operations - Practical Guide to Driving Efficient in Mall Operations (Part 3 of 3) | 19 Minutes |
Retail
Strategic Retail Planning (Part 1 of 2) | 18 Minutes |
Strategic Retail Planning (Part 2 of 2) | 17 Minutes |
Security
Planning Retail Security in a Changing World | 13 Minutes |
Specialty Leasing
Specialty Leasing - Enhancing Customer Experience and Increasing Revenue with Unique Retail Concepts | 17 Minutes |
GVS E-Learning Course 1 Modules
Customer Experience
Customer Experience - Introduction | 5 Minutes |
Customer Experience - Methodology | 12 Minutes |
Elements of Customer Experience - Brands | 8 Minutes |
Elements of Customer Experience - Communication | 12 Minutes |
Elements of Customer Experience - Environment | 6 Minutes |
Elements of Customer Experience - Offering | 4 Minutes |
Elements of Customer Experience - Culture | 8 Minutes |
Elements of Customer Experience - Closing | 2 Minutes |
Shopping Centre Management
Shopping Centre Management - Marketing | 8 Minutes |
Shopping Centre Management - Ancillary Leasing | 8 Minutes |
Shopping Centre Management - Operations | 6 Minutes |
Shopping Centre Management - Reporting | 7 Minutes |
Shopping Centre Management - Performance | 10 Minutes |
Shopping Centre Management - Enhancement | 8 Minutes |
The Role of Shopping Centre Manager | 9 Minutes |
Leasing
The Basics of Leasing | 22 Minutes |
How to Determine Lease Rates | 13 Minutes |
Food and Beverage Leasing | 16 Minutes |
Successful Business - Relationship, Trust and Leasing | 28 Minutes |
Practical Guide to Lease Effectively | 18 Minutes |
Marketing
Managing The Customers Experience During The Pandemic | 12 Minutes |
Foundation of Strong Brands | 19 Minutes |
Advanced Marketing - Brand Building in a Digital Age | 20 Minutes |
F&B Retail
The Next Normal for F&B Operators - Strategies in a Post COVID-19 Era | 28 Minutes |
Operations
Reopening of Shopping Centres | 15 Minutes |
Course Packages
Corporate Bundle is now available for an introductory price of $1000 instead of $4000. This will entitle the group or company to enroll 10 students and get access to all the modules and materials and will be awarded with certificate of completion. To enroll to corporate bundle please email gvs-elearning@mecsc.org otherwise, select the package below that suits you.
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One-Time
-
$100$27 - 1 Course Module
- No Course Assessment
- No Course Certificate
- -
- -
- Sign Up
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Flexi
-
$300$150 - FIrst 6 Course Modules
- No Course Assessment
- Certificate of Attendance
- -
- -
- Sign Up
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Best Value
-
$500$250 - 12 Course Modules
- With Course Assessment
- Certificate of Completion
- Graduate Photo
- Pioneer Student
- Sign Up
Expert Instructors

AMY JOHNSTONE
Founder & Managing Director
Verve Communication

DAVID MACADAM
CEO
MECS+R

FRANCIS LOUGHRAN
Founder & Managing Director
Future Food

GREGORY VOGT
Former Leasing Director
Gulf Related

HABIB BEAINI
Managing Director
Ninth Space

HUSSAIN K JAMAL
Head of Operations
Mall of Muscat

MAGNUS ROXNER
COO
Safe Shopping Centers

MICHAEL RUCKMAN
President & CEO
Senteo

SAMAR AKKOU
Leasing Manager
Nakheel Malls

SANJAY MADHOK
GM – F&B Leasing
Tamdeen Group

SHANNON QUILTY
Partner
Senteo

VANESSA HINTON
GM – Marketing
Nakheel Malls
MECS+R Custom Education Program
Our team at the MECS+R are able to custom create specific education programs. Whether you require more focus on Property Management, Leasing, Marketing or Finance we can assist you with your organization for delivery of your training needs. We can host these education programs in your offices or in offsite venues. The Middle East Council of Shopping Centres is continually proven to be an industry leader.
Capabilities
Business Plan Advisory (Four Full Days) - Al Raidah Investment Company, Saudi Arabia
To support Al Raidah Investment Company in achieving its goals by providing a 'Business Plan Advisory Consultiing' services to the team. The prim objective is to educate the students with basic to moderately advanced custom created retail education programs with English and Arabic instructors both in the classroom. The program covers all elements of creating, designing, developing, staffing, managing and operating a retail environment. Course emphasis begins with the basics in the retail industry progressing through to creation and execution of the business plan, to the opening and running the shopping center.
One-on-One Intensive Leasing Mentorship Program for Shilpi Sengupta - Majid Al Futtaim Properties, Dubai, UAE

This intensive training session is an in-depth look at the retail environment, which includes a discussion of the importance of leasing to a shopping centres fiscal soundness & a detailed examination of the multiple components of the lease documents, tenant mix & analyses how to devise leasing strategies to select and pursue tenants that maximize the centres total productivity. The mentorship evolved on the negotiation strategies, isolating redevelopment opportunities and structuring a deal and negotiating a lease that is a winning proposition for both the landlord and retailer. The main objective of the sessions are to be able to:
- Understand the role and contribution of leasing to asset value
- Understand the multi-dimensional aspects of leasing negotiations
- Understand the reality of leasing success - knowing the ultimate customer, the consumer
- Understand the concept of life cycle as it applies to shopping centre leasing
Mentorship, Planning and Goal Setting Program for Nakheel Properties UAE
This is an initial mentorship relative to planning to goal setting with the renewal of the past year for the students’ 2016 goals, objectives, deliverables and results. Below are the deliverables by MECSC Team:
- Provide a baseline of information about each discipline Marketing, Leasing, Property Management, Customer Service to all seven (7) students.
- Establish personal and professional goals for each of the students and all goals are linked to each of the disciplines: Marketing, Leasing, Property Management, Customer Service and Mentorship.
- All corporate goals will be tied to the broader mandate for Nakheel.
- Provide input and advisory to the students with non-Nakheel related examples. Advise and input based on history and experience of the instructors.
- Establish and launch a formal mentorship program for each of the students.
GLA Management One Day Education Program Kuwait

The objective of the 1-day training is to provide an overall idea on the Marketing Plan, Advance Leasing Strategies, Asset Management covering the following:
- The Shopping Centre Asset and Managing the asset – an overview, how it adds value and what roles various departments such as marketing, leasing, operation have to play.
- The Merchandising Mix – the engine of business, leasing, leasing strategies and plans.
- The Shopper Experience and its Importance. The role of marketing, customer service and specialty leasing play. How strategies and plans are developed.
- Operation – The show starts every morning and the critical role operations play in making sure that the plan is executed flawlessly; operations, maintenance, security etc.
- The future of our business and the challenges we can expect to face and the expectations from Shopping Centre Professionals.
Italian Study Tour

Mall Name | Location | GLA (Sqm) | Unit No. | Key Brands | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Day 1 | Il Centro | Via Giuseppe Eugenio Luraghi, 11, 20020 Arese | 93,000 | 200 | Zara, Mango, Primark |
Oriocenter Shopping Center | Via Portico, 71 - Orio al Serio | 75,204 | 191 | Mediaworld, Zara, Pellizzari, Apple, Hollister, Mango | |
Day 2 | Freccia Rossa | Viale Italia, 31 Brescia | 29,456 | 112 | Zara, Supermedia, Mondadori Megastore, Virgin Active |
Elnos Shopping | Via Luigi Einaudi, 5 Roncadelle | 90,000 | 145 | Ikea, Primark, Euronics, Zara, Pellizzari, Superdry | |
Adigeo | Via delle Nazioni Verona | 46,750 | 130 | Hypermarket, Zara, Primark, Mediaworld, Pittarosso | |
Day 3 | Serravalle Disigner Outlet | Via Della Moda 1, Serravalle Scrivia | 50,500 | 220 | Prada, Gucci, Burberry, Armani, Missoni, Dolce e Gabbana |
Scalo Milano City Style | Locate Triulzi | 30,000 | 130 | B&B Italia, Cassina, Poltrona Frau, Scavolini, Baldinini, Barbonese |
Route
From | To | Travel | Time | Distance |
---|---|---|---|---|
Il Centro | Oriocenter Shopping Center | Via A4 | 44 mins | 60. 7 km |
Oriocenter Shopping Center | Freccia Rossa | Via A4 | 60 mins | 51.6 km |
Freccia Rossa | Elnos Shopping | Via Dalmazia | 7 mins | 4.6 km |
Elnos Shopping | Adigeo | Via A4 | 41 mins | 68.4 km |
Adigeo | Serravalle Disigner Outlet | Via A21 | 2 hrs 19mins | 236 km |
Serravalle Disigner Outlet | Scalo Milano City Style | Via A7 | 57 Mins | 93.0 km |
ICSC Certifications
Mohamed El Sabawi, CSM - Mall Manager at RAK Mall speaks about...Mohamed El Sabawi, CSM - Mall Manager at RAK Mall speaks about the value and imprtance of getting certification from ICSC International Council of Shopping Centers and MECSC: Middle East Council of Shopping Centres. To learn more about MECSC: www.mecsc.org #MECSC #RECONMENA17 #MECSCMembersSpeak
Posted by MECSC: Middle East Council of Shopping Centres on Tuesday, 28 March 2017
From the first ideas exchanged between our founders almost 60 years ago to the innovative courses offered through the University of Shopping Centres, learning has defined ICSC. The vigorous exchange of ideas and expertise that permeate our work has created a culture of learning that advances careers, and the industry for the benefit of all.
Expanding the educational offerings locally, regionally, nationally and globally is an ongoing priority for the association. ICSC delivers more targeted educational programs for our retail real estate members across a full range of specialties. Learn and grow more.
Why should I get Certified?
ICSC Professional Certifications provide global recognition to retail real estate professionals. Validate your industry knowledge and experience through proven commitment to continuous learning and career development.
Certified Shopping Center Manager (CSM)

CSC established the CSM (Certified Shopping Center Manager) credential in 1964 to advance high professional standards in shopping center management worldwide. Candidates for the CSM designation should demonstrate at least four years of qualified work experience obtained within the last 6 years, which includes center maintenance, leasing negotiations or administration, retailing, merchandising, marketing or promotion, community relations, financing, purchasing insurance, security and law. CSM certification is achieved through mastery of a body of knowledge, completion of the eligibility requirements, passage of a rigorous 100-question examination, and commitment to a code of professional ethics. Through the ICSC, an elite group of shopping center and retail real estate managers enjoys unparalleled opportunities for industry-wide recognition, involvement and credibility.
Exam Outline
Certified Marketing Director (CMD)

CSC established the CMD (Certified Marketing Director) credential in 1971 to advance high professional standards in shopping center marketing worldwide. Candidates for the CMD designation demonstrate at least four years of qualified work experience within the last six years, which includes center marketing, research, marketing plan implementation, public and community relations, advertising, and media buying. CMD certification is achieved through mastery of a body of knowledge, completion of the eligibility requirements, passage of a rigorous half-day written examination, and commitment to a code of professional ethics. Through the ICSC, an elite group of shopping center marketing professionals enjoys unparalleled opportunities for industry involvement and industry-wide recognition.
Successful CMD candidates are actively engaged in shopping center and retail real estate marketing, research, public and community relations, advertising, traditional media and digital media functions. Marketing directors with a broad knowledge of marketing principles who have the ability to apply those principles to effectively market all types of shopping centers and retailers are encouraged to apply. Retail real estate professionals who oversee the marketing functions for a single shopping center or tenant as well as corporate or regional professionals who oversee the marketing function of one or more shopping centers or tenants are also encouraged to apply.
Exam Outline
Certified Leasing Specialist (CLS)

ICSC established the (Certified Leasing Specialist) credential in 1994 to advance professional standards in shopping center leasing worldwide. Candidates for the CLS designation demonstrate at least four years of qualified work experience within the last six years which includes long-term or short-term leasing and must be or have been active in a position with substantial responsibility for leasing shopping centers/retail real estate as an employee representative or agent of an owner and/or tenant. CLS certification is achieved through mastery of a body of knowledge, completion of the eligibility requirements, passage of a rigorous half-day written examination, and commitment to a code of professional ethics. Through the ICSC, an elite group of shopping center leasing professionals enjoys unparalleled opportunities for industry involvement and industry-wide recognition.
Successful CLS candidates are actively engaged in tenant management, trade area analysis, lease negotiation, specialty leasing, financing and retailing. Leasing specialists with a broad knowledge of revenue generation principles who have the ability to apply those principles to effectively lease all types of shopping centers are encouraged to apply. Retail real estate professionals who oversee the leasing functions for a single shopping center or tenant as well as corporate or regional professionals who oversee the leasing function of one or more shopping centers or tenants are also encouraged to apply.
Exam Outline
Certified Development, Design and Construction Professional (CDP)

ICSC established the CDP (Certified Development, Design and Construction Professional) credential in 2007 to advance high professional standards in shopping center development, design and construction worldwide. Candidates for the CDP designation demonstrate at least five years of qualified work experience within the last six years, including shopping center and retail real estate development, design and/or construction of shopping centers as an owner representative. Development managers, project managers, tenant coordinators, architects, engineers, general contractors, construction managers, facilities managers, retail store planners and retail construction managers are encouraged to apply. CDP certification is achieved through mastery of a body of knowledge, completion of the eligibility requirements, passage of a rigorous half-day written examination, and commitment to a code of professional ethics. Through the ICSC, an elite group of shopping center development, design and construction professionals enjoys unparalleled opportunities for industry-wide recognition, involvement and credibility.
Exam Outline
Certified Retail Property Executive (CRX)

The evolving nature of the industry including game-changers like plateauing of new development, capital flows, globalization of retail, socio-economic shifts and more have fundamentally changed what it means to be a successful industry executive. ICSC introduced the Certified Retail Property Executive (CRX) credential in response to this critical paradigm shift. The CRX defines the responsibility and capabilities of a professional engaging in retail property executive leadership positions including expertise in asset management, development, redevelopment, finance, accounting, leasing, revenue generation, retailing, marketing, communications, legal, compliance, property and facilities. In addition, it lays the groundwork to meet the growing business demands related to the retail real estate industry and emphasizes the importance of leadership skills and best practices.
Eligible CRX candidates have a minimum of 8 years of qualifying industry experience obtained within the last 15 years, are dedicated to advancing professionalism and support the highest industry standards worldwide. We encourage qualified managers, directors, vice presidents, officers and allied professionals to apply.
Exam Outline
Specialty Leasing Designation (SLD)
About
CSC acquired the Specialty Leasing Designation (SLD) credential in 2014, having been initially developed by Pinnacle Publish Group in 2011, to serve retail property specialty leasing professionals at the center levels who have mastered through foundational training basic skills and global best practices in their specialty
Qualifications
Candidates for the SLD designation either complete a mandatory 15-module course of study or demonstrate at least eight years of qualifying work experience in center specialty leasing. SLD designation is then achieved through completion of eligibility requirements and passage of a computer-based examination, developed according to strict psychometric standards.
Body of Knowledge
Successful SLD candidates must master a body of knowledge that represents the full scope of the practice as taught in the SLD curriculum. The composition of the one-of-a-kind education SLD curriculum is guided by extensive industry research into the knowledge, skills and experience needed for a specialty leasing professional to succeed in their role and contribute to the center’s bottom line. The SLD Advisory Committee (a sub-committee of the CLS Admissions & Governing Committee) reviewed and approved the content resulting in the identification of eight essential competency areas (organized into 15 modules for online classroom delivery).
Domain 1 | Sales and Merchandising for the Common Area |
Domain 2 | Sponsorship, Advertising & Ancillary Income |
Domain 3 | Legal Terminology and Documentation |
Domain 4 | Retailer Financials |
Domain 5 | Marketing Opportunities and Tactics |
Domain 6 | Deal Making Structures and Tactics |
Domain 7 | Visual Merchandising & RMU Design |
Domain 8 | Negotiation and Sales Skills |
To enroll in the online courses, contact us at certification@icsc.org.
Entry level candidates who choose to complete the Specialty Leasing curriculum, must forward their certificate of completion to certification@icsc.org at which time they will be provided a code to complete the online exam application for a reduced fee of $95.
Seasoned industry professionals who can demonstrate at least 8 years of specialty leasing experience obtained within the last 10 years, and do not intend to complete the courses, may complete an online application for review by clicking the Application Center button at the top of this page.
Limited SLD courses are available during RECon.
SLD Policies, Fees and Procedures
SLD Program Course Completion and Exam Dates
SLD courses and exams are administered on a rolling basis. The courses must be completed within six (6) months of registration. Courses may be completed online or in person (when available). Exams are only administered online. Testing eligibility is valid for one month after course completion. Applicants may test at their convenience once eligibility has been approved. Upon approval, candidates receive instructions and information to access the exam. Although candidates receive pass/ fail information upon exam completion, designations are officially processed three times a year (April, July, and November).
Application Fees
Option 1 : Entry Level | Members | Non-Members |
---|---|---|
SLD Education Bundle | $1095 | $1495 |
Exam Fee | $95 | $195 |
Total | $1190 | $1690 |
Option 2 : Based on eligibility | Members | Non-Members |
Eligibility Fee | $95 | $195 |
Exam Fee | $395 | $795 |
Total | $490 | $990 |
The initial application fee is composed of two parts: The processing fee for a candidate application is $95 for ICSC members ($195 for non-members). The SLD program fees are non-refundable or transferable. Both the application and exam registration fee must be submitted with the application. Applicants who purchase the education bundle receive a significant discount on the exam fee. Submissions without payment cannot be processed.
Switch Exam Windows
If necessary, a candidate’s Exam Window may be changed to another eligible window when requested no less than 15 days before the original examination window.
15+ days before window: $50 change fee will apply
0-14 days before window: Changes cannot be processed
Cancellations
Once any portion of the courses has been accessed, no refunds will be allowed. The SLD program fees are non-refundable or transferable.
Testing Regulations
Failure to follow testing regulations can prevent you from testing and will forfeit your appointment and exam fee.
- The name on your ID must match your name on file with ICSC under which you applied for your designation.
- You are prohibited from communicating, publishing, reproducing, or transmitting any part of your test, in any form or by any means, verbal or written, for any purpose.
- You must not talk to other candidates or refer to their testing materials, or written notes during your testing session.
- You must not use written notes, published materials, or other testing aids.
- You are allowed to use soft ear plugs during your session.
- With the exception of an approved calculator, you must not use any unauthorized items during your testing session. Such items include but are not limited to: notebooks, pagers, watches, cellular telephones, recording devices, and photographic equipment.
- You may use scratch paper during your session, however, such materials must be destroyed at the end of your test.
- There are no breaks allowed during your exam.
- You must conduct yourself in an ethical manner at all times during your exam to protect the integrity of the test.
Scoring
In most cases, candidates will receive immediate results upon submitting their test online. In any case, ICSC will not report the number of questions answered correctly or the overall percentage of questions answered correctly. Successful candidates do not receive their score, but are simply notified that they have passed the exam. Unsuccessful candidates are provided with a diagnostic score report that includes their score and a performance indicator for each content area of the examination. The score report is designed to help unsuccessful candidates understand their performance and target areas for further study before they retest.
ICSC does not provide raw scores or publish a passing raw score (or required percentage of question) for its exams. ICSC maintains a pool of questions that can be used to generate many different forms of the examinations. For security reasons, the examination forms are updated on a regular basis. If multiple forms are in use concurrently, candidates are randomly assigned to a form. Forms are carefully constructed by Prometric in order to minimize variations in difficulty from one form to another. ICSC works with Prometric to use statistical data to evaluate the difficulty of each form and takes slight variations in difficulty based on the particular combination of questions selected into account when the passing score for each form is set. Because questions differ from form to form, and difficulty level may vary slightly, the raw score needed to pass will also vary slightly from form to form. The raw passing score for each form is established by the Admissions & Governing Committee using a Prometric criterion-referenced cut-score study or by Prometric through equating.
Exam Preparation
ICSC offers a variety of study aids to candidates looking for a personal study plan based on their own level of experience and areas of expertise. The choice for how best to prepare for the exam is up to you. Our Certification examinations are designed solely as an assessment and are not structured or intended as part of the educational processes necessary to master the body of knowledge being tested.
Content Outline (click for more details)
Looking for help structuring your personal study plan? Exam specification blueprints provide you with a guiding framework which lists each subject matter domain and the corresponding knowledge areas you will be tested on.
School for Professional Development (click for more details)
Looking for help structuring your personal study plan? Exam specification blueprints provide you with a guiding framework which lists each subject matter domain and the corresponding knowledge areas you will be tested on.
Knowledge Assessments & Practical Tests (click for more details)
Looking for help structuring your personal study plan? Exam specification blueprints provide you with a guiding framework which lists each subject matter domain and the corresponding knowledge areas you will be tested on.
Certification Review Courses (click for more details)
ICSC has developed concentrated exam prep courses which review certain domains within each exam's respective specifications. Course recordings are available for purchase by contacting certification@icsc.org.
Shopping Centre Study Series (click for more details)
ICSC has developed concentrated exam prep courses which review certain domains within each exam's respective specifications. Course recordings are available for purchase by contacting certification@icsc.org.
Online Learning Program (click for more details)
Convenient, anytime access to professional development; mobile-friendly, self-directed courses and monthly webinars (free to members!) that highlight important trends and concepts.
Publications and Textbooks (click for more details)
While there is no single publication specifically tailored to our certification exams, there are several options across knowledge domains available to help augment your study.
Fees and Deadline
ICSC accepts online applications on a rolling basis, year round. In addition to basic demographic information, applicants must provide employment history for the past six years, position descriptions, supervisor contacts and the names of at least two industry references. ICSC certifications are accessible to all qualified professionals in the retail real estate industry regardless of ICSC membership status. However, ICSC member benefits include a significant discount off the standard fee.
Confidentiality
ICSC maintains policies and procedures with regards to day-to-day business practices to ensure that confidential information received by and entrusted to ICSC for the purposes of certification is not disclosed inappropriately. In order to protect the confidentiality of candidates, written authorization is required before information regarding an individual's status is released or discussed with a third party.
Exam Dates
All exams are administered by appointment during approved testing windows. Applicants must select an exam window at the time of application. Upon approval, candidates receive instructions to schedule an appointment on a date and time that fits their schedule. Appointments are available on a first-come, first served basis so apply early.
Appointment Window | Application Dealine |
---|---|
March 3-11, 2018 | February 2, 2017 |
June 16-24, 2018 | May 18, 2017 |
Reschedule an Appointment
Within the same window, you may reschedule the date of your exam appointment. In addition to notifying ICSC (certification@icsc.org), candidates must contact Prometric directly (www.prometric.com/icsc). The following rescheduling policy and fees will apply:
30 days or more before appointment | No fee, unlimited changes |
5-29 days before appointment | $50 per change (payable to Prometric) |
Less than 5 days before appointment | Changes cannot be processed |
Switch Exam Windows
If necessary, a candidate’s Exam Window may be changed to another eligible window when requested no less than 15 days before the original examination window.
15+ days before appointment | $50 change fee will apply |
0-14 days before appointment | Changes cannot be processed |
Cancellations
Cancelling an appointment with Prometric will not cancel your exam with ICSC. Cancellation requests must be submitted in writing to ICSC (certification@icsc.org) no less than 30 days prior to registered test window. Upon approval, a refund of the exam registration fee, less $50 administrative fee, will be processed.
Policies and Procedures
ICSC retains the services of industry leader Prometric to develop and deliver our certification exams. Prometric follows the industry standards for educational and psychological testing, which includes test quality and fairness. Through Prometric, all of our activities are performed in accordance with the Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing jointly published by the American Psychological Association, the American Educational Research Association, and the National Council on Measurement in Education. ICSC follows these standards and best practices to ensure our exams are valid, reliable and fair.
Application Fees
The initial application fee is composed of two parts: The processing fee for a candidate application is $95 for ICSC members ($195 for non-members) which is non-refundable. In addition, the fee for each exam registration/appointment is $395 for ICSC members ($795 for non-members.) The exam fee is fully refundable if candidate is found to be ineligible. Both the application and exam registration fee must be submitted with the application. Submissions without payment cannot be processed.
Reschedule an Appointment
Within the same window, you may reschedule the date of your exam appointment. In addition to notifying ICSC (certification@icsc.org), candidates must contact Prometric directly (www.prometric.com/icsc). The following rescheduling policy and fees will apply:
30 days or more before appointment | No fee, unlimited changes |
5-29 days before appointment | $50 per change (payable to Prometric) |
Less than 5 days before appointment | Changes cannot be processed |
Switch Exam Windows
If necessary, a candidate’s Exam Window may be changed to another eligible window when requested no less than 15 days before the original examination window.
15+ days before appointment | $50 change fee will apply |
0-14 days before appointment | Changes cannot be processed |
Cancellations
Cancelling an appointment with Prometric will not cancel your exam with ICSC. Cancellation requests must be submitted in writing to ICSC (certification@icsc.org) no less than 30 days prior to registered test window. Upon approval, a refund of the exam registration fee, less $50 administrative fee, will be processed.
Testing Center Regulations
Failure to follow center regulations can prevent you from testing and will forfeit your appointment and exam fee.
- Plan to arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment time. You may have to forfeit your appointment if you arrive more than 15 minutes late.
- You will be continuously monitored by video, physical walk-throughs and the observation window during your test. All testing sessions are video and audio recorded.
- You must present valid (unexpired) and acceptable ID(s) in order to take your test. Acceptable IDs are original, non-expired (valid), photo-bearing, signature-bearing, and government-issued. If the primary ID presented does not have or require a signature, the authorized testing center will request a second ID that does contain a signature. The signature ID must also have the examinees name pre-printed
- The name on your ID must match your name on file with ICSC under which you applied for certification and scheduled your exam appointment.
- You are required to sign out on the test center roster each time you leave the test room. You must also sign back in and show your ID to the Test Center Administrator (TCA) in order to be re-admitted to the test room.
- You are prohibited from communicating, publishing, reproducing, or transmitting any part of your test, in any form or by any means, verbal or written, for any purpose.
- You must not talk to other candidates or refer to their screens, testing materials, or written notes in the test room.
- You must not use written notes, published materials, or other testing aids.
- You are allowed to bring soft ear plugs or center-supplied tissues in the test room.
- Any clothing or jewelry items allowed to be worn in the test room must remain on your person at all times. Removed clothing or jewelry items must be stored in your locker.
- With the exception of an approved calculator, you must not bring any personal/unauthorized items into the testing room. Such items include but are not limited to: outerwear, hats, food, drinks, purses, briefcases, notebooks, pagers, watches, cellular telephones, recording devices, and photographic equipment. Lockers will be provided for personal belongings.
- Weapons are not allowed at any Prometric Testing Center. You will be asked to empty and turn your pockets inside out prior to every entry into the test room to confirm that you have no prohibited items. You will be scanned with a metal detector wand prior to every entry into the test room. If you refuse, you cannot test.
- Scratch paper will be provided upon request at the testing center. You must return all materials issued to you by the TCA at the end of your test.
- You will receive one 15 minute break during your exam. The TCA can inform you what is specifically permitted during these breaks.
- You must conduct yourself in a civil manner at all times when on the premises of the testing center. Exhibiting abusive behavior towards the TCA, or any other staff member of the test center, may result in criminal prosecution.
- To protect the privacy of all testers, the TCA can neither confirm nor deny if any particular individual is present or scheduled at the test center.
- Persons not scheduled to take a test are not permitted to wait in the test center.
Scoring
In most cases, candidates will receive immediate results at the testing center but this is not guaranteed. In any case, ICSC will not report the number of questions answered correctly or the overall percentage of questions answered correctly. Successful candidates do not receive their score, but are simply notified that they have passed the exam. Unsuccessful candidates are provided with a diagnostic score reports that include their score and a performance indicator for each content area of the examination. The score report is designed to help unsuccessful candidates understand their performance and target areas for further study before they retest.
Only scaled scores will be reported to candidates. ICSC does not provide raw scores or publish a passing raw score (or required percentage of question) for its exams. ICSC maintains a pool of questions that can be used to generate many different forms of the examinations. For security reason, the examination forms are updated on a regular basis. If multiple forms are in use concurrently, candidates are randomly assigned to a form. Forms are carefully constructed by Prometric in order to minimize variations in difficulty from one form to another. ICSC works with Prometric to use statistical data to evaluate the difficulty of each form and takes slight variations in difficulty based on the particular combination of questions selected into account when the passing score for each form is set. Because questions differ from form to form, and difficulty level may vary slightly, the raw score needed to pass will also vary slightly from form to form. The raw passing score for each form is established by the Admissions & Governing Committee using a Prometric criterion-referenced cut-score study or by Prometric through equating.
Exam Locations
The number of secure test sites has increased to more than 400 globally, increasing convenience and reducing travel time and costs. Candidates will take their exam in a professional, environmentally controlled site managed by our industry-leading exam delivery provider, Prometric. Test centers have a limited number of seats available each day so space can become limited at a given center. ICSC cannot guarantee availability. Therefore, we recommend that you apply and contact Prometric immediately upon approval to schedule your appointment in order to maximize your chances of testing at the location and time of your first choice.
Authorized Prometric Testing Centers (subject to change) can be found in the following markets:
Middle East (click for other countries)
- Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- Manama, Bahrain
- Amman, Jordan
- Kuwait, Kuwait
- Beirut, Lebanon
- Dammam Men, Saudi Arabia
- Dammam Women (Al Khober), Saudi Arabia
- Riyadh Women, Saudi Arabia
- Sanaa, Yemen
Special Accommodations for Testing
ICSC works in partnership with Prometric to ensure that test takers with unique needs have full and equal access to all programs and services. If you have a documented disability that would prevent you from taking the exam under standard conditions, you may request a reasonable accommodation. All test sites are accessible to candidates with disabilities. Applicants requesting accommodation on the basis of a learning disability must also submit a diagnosis of the disability corroborated by psychological testing.
- 30-days advance notice required
- Submit requests in writing to certification@icsc.org
- Accommodation requests are considered on a case by case basis
- Documentation may be required