INTERESTED IN BECOMING A CERTIFIED MEETING PLANNER?


Becoming a certified meeting planner professional, CMP, is a designation that many meeting planners, that are serious about their industry, are obtaining. According to the CIC, Convention Industry Council, there are roughly 14,000 meeting planners in 36 countries that have earned the CMP designation since it began. If you’ve been in the meeting and event planning business and are now wondering whether or not to continue your career development it might be a good time to find out exactly what you could expect by taking the CMP program.

What Does the Certified Meeting Planner Program Do for Meeting Planners

First and foremost the CMP program establishes itself by setting the standards for which to operate in the industry. According to the CIC website the following are some highlights of what the CMP program is all about:

  • identifies that the individual has achieved a high level of knowledge about the industry
  • increases the skill sets which is beneficial for meeting planners employers
  • continues to increase industry standards and practices
  • explores the art and science of meeting management
  • maximizes the value received from products and services provided by certified meeting professionals

The CMP exam is offered two times a year, and the first and third quarters. For dates and locations click here for the Convention Industry Council’s examination information. To be considered a candidate for the CMP program candidates must be employed as a meeting or event planner with three or more years of active experience in order to write the examination.

How Do You Prepare for the Certified Meeting Planner (Professional) Examination

Studying for the CMP designation will require a commitment of both time and study on your part. However several of the industry’s top associations do provide information and study kits to help you. MPI, Meeting Professionals International, provides a CMP study kit to help you prepare. The convention industry Council also provides a manual to help with exam preparation. MPI has a great CMP page at its MPI store where you can review and order any materials that may assist you.

So if 2012 is the year for you to further your career development you may want to consider the CMP program to become a certified meeting planner. In addition to challenging you as well as providing you with the tools necessary to do your job it will also show potential clients that you take meeting planning seriously.

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