The Certified Meeting Professional CMP Certification

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The Certified Meeting Professional (CMP)
Certification
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WHAT CMP IS ALL ABOUT!

• Presented by Heather Doughlin
• CMP Program Director
• Convention Industry Council
• Tuesday, 22, April 2008

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What is the (CMP?) Certification Program?

• CERTIFIED MEETING PROFESSIONAL
• This is the foremost certification program of
  the meetings, convention and exhibitions
  industry.
• The CMP designation recognizes those who have
  achieved the industrys highest standard of
  professionalism

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The Convention Industry Council (CIC)

•  The Convention Industry Council (CIC) is a
  federation of 32 national and international
  associations representing all aspects of the
  meeting, convention, and exhibition industry.
  The CIC owns, governs and administers the
  Certified Meeting Professional (CMP)
  certification. There is an established CMP Board
  of Directors

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Major CIC Programs

• Certified Meeting Professional (CMP)
• Hall of Leaders
• Accepted Practices Exchange (APEX)
• CIC Manual/Publications
• Economic Impact Study, other white papers

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History of CMP Designation

• First CMP Exam in June 1985 46 tested
• Always Certified Meeting PROFESSIONAL, not
  planner
• Began as a response to increase the
  professionalism of meeting managers
• Today there are well over 12,979 CMPs in 32
  countries around the globe

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CMP Program Goals

• Establish the level of knowledge and performance
  required for certification
• Stimulate the advancement of the art and science
  of meeting management
• Provide unique networking opportunities for those
  involved in the program

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CMP Benefits

• Authority to use the CMP designation on
  Letterhead, Business Cards, etc.
• Global Recognition
• Professional Development
• Personal Achievement / Competitive Advantage
• Newsletter Subscriptions
• Network of Fellow CMPs

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Completing the Application

• Website www.conventionindustry.org
• Follow the link to access the CMP Application
• Submit completed on-line application to MCI
  Office along with required documentation
  application fee

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APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

• What do you need?????
• !

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SCORE 90 OUT OF A POSSIBLE 150 POINTS

• Section I Experience in Meeting Management 35
  points (maximum)
• Minimum 3 years full time meeting planning
  experience)
• Section II Management Responsibility (50
  points Maximum)

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Points for application, contd

• Section III Education Cont. Ed
• (25 Points Maximum)
• Section IV Membership - 10 Points Maximum, 5
  points for each individual membership

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Points for Application, Contd

• Section V Professional Contributions
• 30 Points Maximum
• Part A Authoring/Publishing Articles (5 Points)
• Part B - Teaching/Speaking (10 Points)
• Part C Awards Professional Designations (5
  Points)
• Leadership Roles in Meeting Management ( 10
  points)

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Program Fees US

• Application Submission Fee 225 (US),
  non-refundable
• Exam Registration Fee 450 (US)
• Recertification Fee 200 (US)

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Eligibility

• Approved candidates have two years from the time
  of eligibility to take and pass the exam.
• This two-year period starts as soon as CIC
  notifies applicants of their eligibility.

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Exam Deadlines

• Next IMEX Frankfurt exam is 25 May 2009
• Deadline to submit application for
  IMEX/Frankfurt exam is 9 February 2009 CMP
  Application is on-line. Visit the CIC website
  www.conventionindustry.org to access. a minimum
  of 90 out of a possible 150 points needed to
  qualify.
• Review process approximately 2-3 weeks
• Register for Exam by March 30 2009
• Receive Pass/Fail notification from the testing
  agency within 60 days after the exam
• Recertify every 5 years

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Test Taking Tips

• Maintain your confidence level and remember what
  your have studied and learned.
• You can do it!

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Test taking Contd

• Prepare well in advance
• Time management
• Be nice to yourself
• Avoid last minute cramming
• Avoid anxiety producing conversations with others

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Test Taking Tips, Contd

• Tests do not
• indicate your level of learning
• Level of proficiency
• Personal worth
• Level of Knowledge
• TRUST THAT YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO SUCCEED!!!

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Test Taking Tips, Contd

• On the night before the test
• Check that you have all documents
• Make sure you have several 2 pencils
• Know how to get to the exam site
• Eat a healthy meal
• GET A GOOD NIGHTS REST!

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Test Taking Tips, Contd

• At the exam
• Give the most intelligent guess you can when
  necessary
• Read question carefully look at every word,
  e.g all of, none, except.
• Answer according to the book, not based on your
  experience

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Study Resources

• CIC Manual, 8th Edition 65.95
• CIC International Manual, 1st Edition 79.00
• PCMAs Professional Meeting Management, 5th
  Edition
• APEX (Accepted Practices Exchange) Glossary

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Exam Preparation -

• Study Groups Independent from CIC
• Groups can be self-led or professionally
  facilitated
• Cost and frequency of meetings depends on the
  group
• PCMA On Line Preparatory Course
• (www.pcma.org) (Professional Convention
  Management Association)

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Test Format and Score

• 165 multiple choice items (questions)
• 3.5 hours
• You may comment on items
• Flawed items are discarded from scoring
• Answer sheet scored by computer
• Tests are screened for cultural nuances

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Questions/discussion

• Thank you for your interest and your
  participation!