Everything you ever wanted to know about the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation is covered in this session: its history, its structure and organization, and how the program has evolved. Included will be tips on the application process, studying, and how to survive test day.

1. Professional Certification:
Obtaining CMP Status
Monique Montoya, CMP
CMP Program Manager
Convention Industry Council
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2. About CIC
• CIC is a federation of 31 trade and professional
associations in the meetings, conventions, exhibitions
and events sector
• Major CIC Programs
– CMP Program
– APEX Initiative (Accepted Practices Exchange)
– Hall of Leaders
– Economic Significance Study
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3. History of the CMP Designation
• Launched in 1985 by the Convention Liaison
Council
• “Certified Meeting PROFESSIONAL”
• Strategic initiative to enhance professionalism
of meetings industry
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4. CMP Program Goals
• Establish the level of knowledge and
performance required for certification
• Recognize and raise industry standards,
practices, and ethics
• Drive the advancement of the art and science of
meeting management
• Elevate the profile of certified professionals
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5. The CMP Designation Today
•Global & Diverse Community of Professionals
-More than 14,000 have been certified
in 47countries
-70% of CMPs are planners
-25% are suppliers
- 5% are Educators, Academics, Others
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6. Globalization of the CMP
• Internationalized exam language
• Computer based testing
• Regional representatives
- Africa
- Asia
- Europe
- Latin America
- North America
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8. CMP Benefits
• Personal achievement
• Enhances professional credibility to employers,
customers and peers
• Validates your knowledge and expertise
• Competitive advantage in the marketplace
• Improved earning potential
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10. Certification Process
Application Candidate Exam
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11. Application
Eligibility Criteria
• Work Experience
• Education
• Continuing Professional
Education
Applications
reviewed by
Notification sent via email 2-3 qualified CMP
weeks following application assessors.
deadline.
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12. Certification Process
Application Candidate Exam
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13. Candidacy
• Candidate eligibility window:
1 year = 4 testing periods
• Official Resources
CIC Manual
CIC International Manual
APEX Glossary
Professional Meeting – 11:45am
10:30am CIC recommends
Management a minimum of 100
Official CMP Practice Exam hours of study.
• Other Resources
PCMA Online Prep Course
Study Groups
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14. Certification Process
Application Candidate Exam
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15. Examination
• Computer Based Testing at a secure testing Immediate
facility operated by Prometric preliminary
score results.
• 3.5 hours (4.0 hours outside of US & Canada)
• 165 multiple choice questions
• Situational based questions designed to test
application of knowledge
• Trick questions? No!
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17. Application Requirements
• Section I
- Professional Experience in the Meeting, Event,
Exhibition and Hospitality/Tourism Industry
• Section II
- Internship or Continuing Education
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18. Application Requirements – Section I
Option 1: A minimum of 36 months of work
experience in the industry
Option 2: Candidates with a degree in meeting,
event, exhibition, and hospitality/tourism
management can apply after 24 months of work
experience
Option 3: Full-time instructors at a
meeting/hospitality university with 36 months of
work experience
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19. Section I Information
• Full time employment
• Professional Experience must have been
completed at the time of application
submission
• Required Documentation
Resume
Diploma/Transcript (if using Option 2)
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20. Application Requirements – Section II
Option 1: An approved internship or
apprenticeship in the industry with a minimum
of 200 hours
Option 2: Twenty-five (25) hours of continuing
education within the last 5 years
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21. Section II Information
• Internship
- Minimum of 200 hours through an educational
institution
- Proof of completion
• Continuing Education
- Past 5 years only
- CMP International Standards
- Proof of attendance
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22. CMP International Standards
• CMP body of
knowledge
• Aligned with other
international
competency standards:
- MPI Meeting and
Business Event
Competency Standards
- Canadian Tourism
Human Resource Council
International Event
Management Standard
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23. CMP International Standards
Exam
Domain Percentage
Questions
A. STRATEGIC PLANNING 16% 24
B. PROJECT MANAGEMENT 15% 22
C. RISK MANAGEMENT 8% 12
D. FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT 10% 15
E. HUMAN RESOURCES 3% 5
F. STAKEHOLDER
8% 12
MANAGEMENT
G. MEETING OR EVENT
16% 24
DESIGN
H. SITE MANAGEMENT 12% 18
I. MARKETING 11% 16
J. PROFESSIONALISM 1% 2
Total Total
100% 150
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25. Sample Application
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26. Clock Hour Example
Length of 90 - 120 121 - 180 181 - 240
60 minutes
Instruction minutes minutes minutes
CEUs .1 CEU .2 CEUs .3 CEUs .4 CEUs
1.5 - 2 Clock 3 Clock 4 Clock
Clock Hours 1 Clock Hour
Hours Hours Hours
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28. Your To-Do List
• Visit www.conventionindustry.org
• Download and review:
– CMP Candidate Handbook Build a
– CMP Application personal plan
that works
– CMP International Standards for you.
• Review the application and exam
schedules Give yourself
time to prepare
• Determine your “Application Ready” for
date and set an “Exam Ready” goal the exam.
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29. CMP Calendar
Application Application Exam Appointment Exam Dates
Submission Notification Registration Scheduling
February 19 - May 21 May 22 – June 5 June 17 – August 8 -17
May 7 August 7
May 14 – July 30 August 13 August 14 – September 16 - November
September 4 November 6 7 - 16
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30. CMP Program Fees
CMP Application Submission Fee $250
CMP Examination Registration Fee $450
CMP Exam Cancellation Fee $125
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31. Maintaining Your CMP
Five
Years
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32. Maintaining Your CMP
• Recertification required every 5
years
Create a CMP
• Requirements folder to keep
record of your
– Continuing employment in continuing
the industry education and
industry activities.
– Ongoing commitment to
professional development
and continuing education
CMP
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33. What are your questions?
Contact Us
Convention Industry Council
700 N. Fairfax Street, Suite 510
Alexandria, VA 22314
www.conventionindustry.org
+1 571-527-3116
cichq@conventionindustry.org
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