Professional Certification: Obtaining CMP Status

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Professional Certification: Obtaining CMP Status

Monique Montoya, CMPCMP Program ManagerConvention Industry Council

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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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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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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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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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Globalization of the CMP

• Internationalized exam language

• Computer based testing

• Regional representatives

- Africa- Asia- Europe- Latin America- North America

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Why do you want to become

a CMP?

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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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What’s the Process?

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Certification Process

Application Candidate Exam

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Applications reviewed by qualified CMP assessors.

Application

Eligibility Criteria• Work Experience

• Education

• Continuing Professional Education

Notification sent via email 2-3 weeks following application deadline.

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Certification Process

Application Candidate Exam

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Candidacy

10:30am – 11:45am

• Candidate eligibility window:1 year = 4 testing periods

• Official ResourcesCIC ManualCIC International ManualAPEX GlossaryProfessional Meeting ManagementOfficial CMP Practice Exam

• Other ResourcesPCMA Online Prep CourseStudy Groups

CIC recommends a minimum of 100 hours of study.

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Certification Process

Application Candidate Exam

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Examination

• Computer Based Testing at a secure testing facility operated by Prometric

• 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!

Immediate preliminary score results.

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A Closer Look at the Application

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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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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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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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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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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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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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CMP International StandardsDomain Percentage

Exam Questions

A. STRATEGIC PLANNING 16% 24B. PROJECT MANAGEMENT 15% 22C. RISK MANAGEMENT 8% 12D. FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT 10% 15E. HUMAN RESOURCES 3% 5

F. STAKEHOLDER MANAGEMENT

8% 12

G. MEETING OR EVENT DESIGN

16% 24

H. SITE MANAGEMENT 12% 18I. MARKETING 11% 16J. PROFESSIONALISM 1% 2

Total

100%

Total

150

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Completing the Application

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Sample Application

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Clock Hour Example

Length of Instruction

60 minutes90 - 120 minutes

121 - 180 minutes

181 - 240 minutes

CEUs .1 CEU .2 CEUs .3 CEUs .4 CEUs

Clock Hours 1 Clock Hour1.5 - 2 Clock Hours

3 Clock Hours

4 Clock Hours

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What are your first steps?

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Your To-Do List• Visit www.conventionindustry.org

• Download and review:– CMP Candidate Handbook– CMP Application– CMP International Standards

• Review the application and exam schedules

• Determine your “Application Ready” date and set an “Exam Ready” goal

Build a personal plan that works for you.

Give yourself time to prepare for the exam.

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CMP Calendar

Application Submission

Application Notification

Exam Registration

Appointment Scheduling

Exam Dates

February 19 -

May 7

May 21 May 22 – June 5 June 17 –

August 7

August 8 -17

May 14 – July 30 August 13 August 14 –

September 4

September 16 -

November 6

November

7 - 16

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CMP Program Fees

CMP Application Submission Fee $250

CMP Examination Registration Fee $450

CMP Exam Cancellation Fee $125

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Maintaining Your CMP

Five Years

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Maintaining Your CMP

• Recertification required every 5 years

• Requirements

– Continuing employment in the industry

– Ongoing commitment to professional development and continuing education

Create a CMP folder to keep record of your continuing education and industry activities.

CMP

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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

[email protected]