Most industries have a certification that establishes their employees’ credibility and a mastery of knowledge in that industry. Ours is the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) certification. Last fall, I got back into the “college” studying mode and just successfully completed my CMP test! But what does that really mean?
A little history
The CMP program was launched in 1985 by the Events Industry Council (EIC) to enhance the knowledge and performance of meeting professionals, promote the status and credibility of the meeting profession and advance uniform standards of practice. The CMP is an internationally recognized credential that is acquired through professional experience, education, and a rigorous exam.
What you need first
The Before a meeting professional can take the test, they must first pass an application review by the EIC. The application requirements are 36 months of professional experience or 24 months of experience and an industry-specific degree as well as 25 clock hours of continuing education or 25 hours of an industry internship. Once a meeting professional has met these requirements and gets approved, then they get to take a very tough exam!
Now the CMP Exam
The CMP exam was developed and is maintained by meeting professionals from all over the world who volunteer their time to ensure that the questions reflect the best practices and depth of knowledge needed in the industry. It is based on the nine domains of the CMP International Standards (CMP-IS). These standards define and categorize the skills, competencies, and abilities an individual needs in order to be successful in the profession. Strategic planning, project management, meeting or event design, and financial management are just a few examples. There are 165 questions covering the nine domains and a professional must get a total weighted score of over 55 to pass. The questions are mostly scenarios and require you to select the BEST possible answer from the multiple-choice answers. You have three and a half hours to take the test and it took me a solid three hours to get through it, but I passed. It was the best feeling!
QUIZ ME – My brain is an encyclopedia of event planning knowledge
Now you can ask me questions like, “How many gallons of coffee do we need for our morning break based on our number of attendees?” and I can tell you the formula for that or, “If we need to make x amount of profit, what should we set our registration fee at?” Yes, there is a specific formula for that too. I can even tell you bigger picture things such as the Four Key Elements of Strategic Value for Meetings and Events. All of the required material is now in my brain and compliments my real world experience to draw from for planning meetings and events.
It isn’t easy, but it is worth it
The two weeks before the test were brutal; I had flash backs to finals week in college. Alas, I can now proudly say I have joined an elite group of 11,000 meeting professionals in 55 countries around the globe who hold the CMP designation. This unique community represents every sector of the industry, from corporations and associations to government and institutional organizations. All have taken the time to ensure they have the knowledge to maximize the value they provide to their clients and to bring best practices to all meetings and events they are organizing.
DID YOU KNOW?
When you choose Meetings Northwest, you get the knowledge of not only one CMP, but two CMPs to plan and execute your next event!
About the author:
Genevieve Kulaski grew-up in Missoula as a true Montana kid, camping all summer and skiing all winter. Wanting to see the world, she took off after high school. She started out exploring Colorado while attending CU Boulder, studied abroad in Russia, and then continued her travels while serving in the Air Force after college graduation. She landed in Washington D.C., but only for a short while, because she met her Montana cowboy who convinced her to move back home. There is truly no place like home! They spent a few years in Bozeman where Genevieve worked as a destination management specialist helping groups explore the beauty and unique experiences the Greater Yellowstone Area has to offer. They are now raising their three kids on the family ranch outside of Philipsburg and Genevieve continues to explore the state for those can’t-miss experiences. Genevieve loves sharing her home state with visitors and putting together one-of-a-kind Montana events that leave everyone with memories to last a lifetime.
