Certifications are quickly becoming popular ways to make a career change without a four-year degree in a new field. Degrees in hospitality and meetings management are more prevalent than they were in the past, however, perception remains that careers in hospitality, meetings and events do not require bachelor or graduate degrees. Our industry is currently waging a battle against the public opinion that events are frivolous spending and do not result in positive return on investment (ROI) for the businesses hosting them or attending them. A professional certification showing the complexity of knowledge mastered helps in proving the business value of meetings. Instead of being sponsored by one particular association within the meetings industry, the CMP program is sponsored by an organization that all of the associations collaborate with on projects that standardize the meetings industry. The Convention Industry Council began the CMP program in 1985 and reports there are over 10,000 individuals in 46 countries who have earned the designation. www.conventionindustry.org/CMP

1. CERTIFICATIONS IN THE MEETINGS
AND EVENTS INDUSTRY
Elizabeth Glau, CMP

2. CMP Certified Meeting Professional
7/11/2014 @ELIZABETHGLAU

3. CMP REQUIREMENTS –
PROFESSIONAL
EXPERIENCE
Option 1: 36 Months of Professional
Experience
Option 2: 24 Months of Professional
Experience and Bachelor’s Degree in
Industry Study
Option 3: 36 Months of Professional
Experience in Academia
7/11/2014 @ELIZABETHGLAU

4. CMP REQUIREMENTS –
CONTINUING EDUCATION
Option 1: Industry Internship – 200 hours
Option 2: Continuing Education – 25
hours
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5. CMP INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS
•Strategic Planning
•Project Management
•Risk Management
•Financial Management
•Human Resources
•Stakeholder Management
•Meeting or Event Design
•Site Management
•Marketing
•Professionalism
7/11/2014 @ELIZABETHGLAU

6. REQUIRED STUDY TEXTS
1. CIC Manual 9th Edition
 Hard copy: $99.95 USD
 e-book format: $69.95 USD
 Hard copy and e-book combo discount: $150 USD
2. APEX Glossary
 $35.00 USD
3. Professional Meeting Management 5th Edition
 $79.95 USD
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7. Analyze the costs related to various preparation
methods and determine your financial commitment
comfort level.
Ask for references to Study Group
Leaders/Teachers from colleagues who have
recently been successful in obtaining their CMP
Certification. Contact those references and ask for
feedback and evaluations of teaching methods
and personal commitment.
STUDY RESOURCES
GROUPS
Analyze the time you have to prepare for the
examination and the optimal location for your course.
Choose the method of studying that you believe will be
most beneficial for you. Review the course syllabus and
requirements before committing to a group.
ONLINE
PCMA Online Prep Course
http://learn.pcma.org/store/seminar/se
minar.php?seminar=18857
7/11/2014 @ELIZABETHGLAU

8. EXAM
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9. TIPS
Study over a period of time – do not cram.
Read all study materials and take good notes.
Isolate formulas, timelines, measurements and
rules onto notecards or study sheets.
Carry notecards/study sheets with you at all
times.
Budget your time to prepare for the CMP
examination.
Commit to your chosen preparation method.
Travel to testing center ahead of time to make
sure you know where the entrance is, where to
park, or how long public transportation takes
to get there.
Watch the CMP testing site video and
familiarize yourself with the test center
procedures and what to expect on exam day.
The day prior to the examination is an
important preparation day. Feel free to look at
important information once more but do not
pull an all-nighter.
If testing in the morning, set at least two alarms
for wake up and have a good breakfast.
Arrive early for your examination and try to
relax so that you can think clearly.
Be analytical – read the questions very
carefully.
Answer every question.
7/11/2014 @ELIZABETHGLAU

10. RECERTIFICATION
Professional Experience
Employment in the industry, full-time or
part-time, for a minimum of 36 of the
last 60 months
or
Employment as a full-time or part-time
instructor of meeting, event, exhibition or
hospitality/tourism management at an
educational institution or in a university
program, for a minimum of 36 of the
last 60 months
Continuing Education
Bachelor’s degree or higher in an industry-
related field within the past five (5) years
or
Twenty-five (25) clock hours of industry-related
continuing education within the past five (5)
years
or
Fifteen (15) clock hours of industry-related
continuing education within the past five (5)
years and participating in at least three (3)
industry support activities
7/11/2014 @ELIZABETHGLAU

11. HTTP://WWW.CONVENTIONINDUSTRY.ORG/CMP
7/11/2014 @ELIZABETHGLAU
@ConvIndustry