Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) Program

In the last newsletter, information about receiving a Certified in Exhibition Management (CEM) designation was provided. Below is information outlining the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation.

Through the CMP Program, individuals who are currently employed in meeting management have the opportunity to pursue continuing education, increased industry involvement and industry-wide recognition by achieving the CMP designation. The requirements for certification are based on professional experience and an academic examination.

As the certification program of today's meetings, conventions and exhibitions industry, the CMP designation recognizes those who have achieved the industry's highest standard of professionalism. Established in 1985, the CMP credential was developed to increase the proficiency of meeting professionals in any component or sector of the industry by:

• Identifying a body of knowledge;
• Establishing a level of knowledge and performance necessary for certification;
• Stimulating the advancement of the art and science of meeting management;
• Increasing the value of practitioners to their employers;
• Recognizing and raising industry standards, practices and ethics;
• Maximizing the value received from the products and services provided by Certified Meeting Professionals.

  A Certification Board designated by Convention Industry Council (CIC) governs the program and includes one representative from each planner organization of CIC and four representatives from the supplier category. The CMP Board seeks to represent the diversity that exists within the profession and serve as a voice for stakeholders who have an interest in maintaining a high meeting industry standard.

  The CMP community now numbers in the thousands, with representatives from every sector of the industry -- from corporations and associations to governmental and institutional organizations.

  This information was extracted from the Convention Industry Council Web site, www.conventionindustry.org.