Certified Meeting Professional (CMP)
The foremost certification program of today's meetings, conventions and expositions industry, the CMP designation recognizes those who have achieved the industry's highest standards of professionalism.

Through the CMP Program, individuals who are currently employed in meeting management have the opportunity to pursue continuing education, increased industry involvement and industry-wide recognition by achieving the CMP designation.

The requirements for certification are based on professional experience and academic examination.

How is the CMP different from the CMM?

The Certified Meeting Planner (CMP) certification is very tactical in its approach. It focuses on learning the important nuts and bolts of meeting planning. It was designed to increase the proficiency of meeting planners and conveys a high level of professionalism, experience and knowledge. It also helps the communication between planner and supplier. The CMP is available from the Convention Industry Council (CIC) and requires a minimum of 3 years of meeting planning experience.

While the CMP is tactical, the Certificate for Meetings Management, or CMM, emphasizes strategic thinking. By focusing on key management issues, it fosters mutual understanding and communication between planner, top management and clients. The CMM program is available from Meeting Professionals International (MPI) and recommends at least 10 years of meeting planning experience.

In addition to the CMP and CMM certification, a growing numbers of colleges and universities offer Continuing Education Certificates and degree programs in Meeting Planning. However, careful research is necessary. Some online certificate mills offer meeting planning certificates of little use. Many have no real educational content or test and offer little value to professional planners. 

This information provided by TradeWinds Meeting News Update, published by our friends at the TradesWindes Island Resort in St. Pete's Beach, Florida www.tradewindsresorts.com.

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