professional certification: obtaining cmp status

Copyright 2010 – Convention Industry Council

Presented byChristina Buck, CMP

CMP Program DirectorConvention Industry Council

CMP Information Session

Copyright 2011 - Convention Industry Council

What is the Convention Industry

Council?


What is CIC?

The Convention Industry Council's 31 member organizations

The CIC owns and administers the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) certification.


Major CIC Programs

Certified Meeting Professional (CMP)

Hall of Leaders

Accepted Practices Exchange (APEX)

CIC Manual & Publications

Economic Impact Study


Certified Meeting Professional Program “Governed” and administered by the CIC

Not an individual membership, but a professional designation

CMP is owned and managed by CIC

CIC member organizations provide study groups for CMP preparation

Follows best certification practices


History of the CMP Designation

Began in 1985 by The Convention Liaison Council

“Certified Meeting PROFESSIONAL”

Began as a response to increase the professionalism of meeting managers

Only industry certification endorsed by 31 CIC member organizations


CMP Program Goals

Establish the level of knowledge and performance required for certification

Recognize and raise industry standards, practices, and ethics

Stimulate the advancement of the art and science of meeting management

Maximize the value received from the products and services provided by CMPs

Increase the value of practitioners


CMP Program Players

CMP Board of Directors

CIC Staff

Testing Agency – Prometric, Inc.

Volunteer CMPs – item writers, assistant proctors, booth coverage, study group leaders, application assessment


The CMP Designation Today

Global Designation

Over 14,000 CMPs have earned the designation worldwide in 36 countries and US territories

64% of CMPs are planners

36% are suppliers

All industry professionals welcome


Why do you want to

become a CMP?


CMP Benefits

Competitive salary

Professional development

Personal achievement

Competitive advantage & increased credibility

Global recognition


Need More Reasons?

Recognized by peers for their professionalism and expertise

Contribute to the development of industry best practices

Act as role models to other meeting professionals

Participate in ensuring industry standards


The CMP Process

www.conventionindustry.org

http://www.conventionindustry.org/


Deadlines for Next Available ExamsEXAM Macau Exam IMEX Exam

20112011 Third

Quarter ExamCIBTM Exam

2011

Application Deadline

November 30, 2010 February 10, 2011 March 1, 2011 May 18, 2011

Exam Registration Deadline

January 27, 2011 March 24, 2011 May 10, 2011 June 1, 2011

Examination March 26, 2011 May 23, 2011 July 23, 2011 June 29, 2011

Locations

*MPI World Education Conference

Macau, China Frankfurt, Germany Atlanta, GABoston, MAChicago Metro AreaDallas, TXDenver, COGeneva, SwitzerlandJohannesburg, South Africa Las Vegas, NVMexico City, MexicoNew York Metro AreaOrange County, CAOrlando, FL*Philadelphia, PASan Francisco, CASeoul, South KoreaToronto, CanadaWashington DC Metro

Beijing, China


The Application Process


Download and READ the Handbook


Application Breakdown

Section I– Professional Experience in the Meeting,

Event, Exhibition and Hospitality/Tourism Industry

Section II– Internship or Continuing Education


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


Section I Information

Full time employment

Resume

Professional Experience must have been completed at the time of application submission

Diploma/Transcript (if applicable)


Application Requirements: Section II Option 1: An approved internship/apprenticeship in the

industry with a minimum of 200 hours

Option 2: Twenty-five (25) hours of continuing education within the last 5 years


Section II Information

Internship– 200 hours (proof required)

– Educational Institution

Continuing Education– Past 5 years only

– CMP Blueprint Section

– Internal Training

– Documentation of attendance

– Clock hours vs CEU


Completing the Application

Website: www.conventionindustry.org

Gather all required documentation

Submit completed original application to CIC along with required documentation & application fee by the application deadline (must be received in the CIC office by March 1)



Eligibility

Candidates have two years from the time of eligibility to take and pass the exam.


The CMP Exam

www.conventionindustry.org



About the Examination

Prometirc administers and scores exams

Offered in January and July in North America

Offered 2-3 times a year outside North America

3.5-hour exam


The CMP Exam

Pencil and paper based

165 multiple-choice questions

150 operational questions (scored)

15 pre-test questions (non-graded questions)


CMP Exam Questions

CMP exam contains questions pertaining to the variety of functions a meeting planner must perform based on the CMP Blueprint

Questions selected from the CMP “Item Bank”

Exam questions are written and reviewed on a regular basis by current CMPs


CMP Exam Questions

Only questions that measure competency and skill are included on the exam

Four possible answers are provided for each multiple choice question – one of the four is correct

No “all of above” and “none of the above” responses

No trick questions


Study of the Profession

A Job Analysis study is conducted to ensure the CMP exam is current

Meeting professionals are surveyed to help evaluate the level of knowledge and skills that are expected within the profession.

CMP Blueprint is developed from responses form surveyed meeting professionals


CMP Exam Blueprint

Basis for the exam questions

The CMP Blueprint knowledge base is categorized into 5 domain areas, 49 tasks and 230 knowledge topics

The five domains identify major content areas which compose the exam


CMP Exam Blueprint

Five Domain Areas

I. Strategic Event Planning Process 24%

II. Financial and Contract Management 20%

III. Facilities and Services 18%

IV. Logistics 20%

V. Program 18%


Exam Scoring

Exam is scored by computer as Pass or Fail

You need a total scale score of 55 to pass the examination

Scores are determined by converting the number of questions answered correctly to a scale score that ranges from approximately 20 to beyond 55


Scale Score A scale score is a transformed raw examination score

(the number of exam questions answered correctly)

Questions are weighted based on their difficulty

*Please note that a scale score is neither the number of questions you answered correctly nor the percentage of questions you answered correctly.


What is the Cost?


Fees Related to the CMP Program

CMP Application Submission Fee $225.00 USD

CMP Exam Registration Fee $450.00 USD

CMP Exam Cancellation Fee $100.00 USD

All fees are subject to change at anytime. The CMP Application Submission Fee is non-refundable and all CMP fees are non-transferable.


Study Resources

CIC Manual, 8th Edition $ 65.95 USD– (July, 2007 Edition)

CIC International Manual $ 79.95 USD– 1ST Edition

PCMA’s Professional Meeting Management $ 79.95 USD– 5th Edition

APEX (Accepted Practices Exchange) Glossary $ 35.00 USD

IAEE Exhibit Guidelines $ FREE– (download at CIC web)


Studying for

the CMP Exam


Study Groups

Independent from CIC

Groups can be self-led or professionally facilitated

Cost and frequency of meetings depends on the group

Some study groups offer a weekend immersion course in place of weekly meetings

Study group guidelines are available on CIC website


On-Line Study

PCMA Online Exam Prep Officially Endorsed by CIC

• $299 Members• $399 Non-members

www.pcma.org/cmponline

http://www.pcma.org/cmponline


Your Action Plan


CMP Action Plan

Download the CMP Application and Handbook

Complete and submit your application

Purchase/borrow current study materials

Join a study group

Study independently and as part of a class

Commit to taking the exam that’s right for you

Give it your all!


Personal Commitment

Determine your own reasons for pursuing the CMP designation

Make the experience worthwhile

Commit to putting aside regular time to study over several months

Do it for yourself !


Time Commitment

Reading Books 30+ Hours

Studying 50 Hours

Study Group 22 Hours

Total Time Required 100+ Hours


Recertification

Initial certification is valid for five years

Complete a recertification application

CMPs who recertify on time, do not have to take another exam to be recertified.

Based on continued employment, education, and professional contributions


Questions/discussion

Thank you for your participation this morning.

The best of luck on your journey.Enjoy it!

Further Questions? Christina M Buck, CMP

Convention Industry CouncilProfessionally managed by Talley Management Group, Inc.

700 N. Fairfax Street, Suite 510Alexandria, VA 22314

[email protected]

professional certification: obtaining cmp status

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