Sadly, this column has run its course and must come to an end. To end the series, I am going back to the beginning to review the CMP® designation and process for becoming a CMP.

The Convention Industry Council (CIC)
The CIC owns and administers the CMP designation (which stands for Certified Meeting Professional, not Certified Meeting Planner, as that would leave out the many supplier partners who have responsibility for the successful production of meetings), including all policies, procedures, and the "body of knowledge" tested. Its Web site is the resource for CMP information, and includes the CMP Candidate Handbook, which walks CMP candidates through the entire application and exam process, gives tips and tools for studying and taking the exam, and provides information on deadlines, fees, exam dates, locations and all policies related to the CMP. It also provides information on qualified study groups and PCMA's CMP Online Prep Course (the only online CMP study course available).

The CMP certification is a "living, breathing" entity, and as such, continues to develop and change to remain up to date and relevant to our industry. All those pursuing the designation should review the information on the CIC Web site (www.conventionindustry.org) frequently to keep updated on the program.

The CMP Designation
The CIC launched the CMP program in 1985 in order to enhance the knowledge and performance of meeting professionals, promote the status and credibility of the meeting profession, and advance uniform standards of practice.

According to the CIC, "Today, the CMP credential enjoys worldwide recognition as the badge of excellence in the meeting, convention, and exhibition industry. The requirements for certification are based on professional experience and a rigorous exam. The elite CMP community now numbers more than 12,000 in 34 countries around the globe. The unique community represents every sector of the industry - from corporations and associations to governmental and institutional organizations."

The CMP program aims to increase the professionalism of meeting management professionals in all sectors of the industry by:

• identifying a body of knowledge in the meeting management profession
• establishing the level of knowledge and performance required for certification
• stimulating the advancement of the art and science of meeting management
• increasing the value of practitioners to their employers
• recognizing and raising industry standards, practices and ethics
• maximizing the value received from the products and services provided by CMPs.

The benefits of becoming a CMP include:

• Recognition - as the premier industry certification, the CMP distinguishes holders as career professionals who have demonstrated a high level of experience, skill, and knowledge.
• Competitive Advantage - the designation conveys credibility to a meeting professional's opinions and ideas, both at work and in the greater meetings, conventions, and exhibitions industry.
• Peer Acceptance - CMPs are immediately recognized by peers and other CMPs as fellow professionals committed to the advancement of the profession.
• Salary Enhancement - CMPs can use the certification as a competitive advantage when negotiating salaries and other business.
• Personal Achievement - after passing a rigorous application and exam process, CMPs express a profound sense of personal achievement at finally being regarded as the skilled professional they are.
• Commitment - successful completion of the certification process conveys that the certified meeting professional is committed and goal driven in their career.

Governance/Administration of the CMP
A certification board is appointed by the member organizations of the CIC to govern the program. Each of the CIC's member organizations has representation on this board. In addition to representing the diversity that exists within the profession, the CMP Board serves as the voice of the designation and is dedicated to maintaining the highest industry standards.

Thomson Prometric is an independent testing company currently under contract to administer the CMP exams. Using an independent testing agency is one factor that sets the CMP program apart from many other industry certifications. This professional testing agency ensures that exam security measures are strictly observed, that instructions and procedures are consistent regardless of exam location, and that question development and reporting of scores is bias-free. Experts at Thomson Prometric work closely with the CIC and the CMP Board to develop the exams that are used to evaluate a candidate's knowledge of the meetings profession. The CIC and CMP boards of directors oversee Thomson Prometric's activities to ensure that all components of the exam process meet certification standards. A reliable network of volunteers also provides invaluable support, along with study group leaders from CIC member organizations throughout the world.

How to Become a CMP
In order to begin the process of becoming a CMP, you must meet some basic prerequisites that demonstrate a broad range of experience in the field of meeting management, including:

• a minimum of three years employment experience in meeting management
• current, full-time employment in a meeting management capacity
• responsibility and accountability for the successful completion of meetings.

The CMP certification program is a two-part process; you must complete the CMP application to demonstrate eligibility, and then successfully pass a written exam covering the functions performed in meeting management.

The CMP Application Process
The CMP application approval is based on a point system for actual experience in meeting management, education/continuing education, and involvement in the industry. Before you can submit an application for approval, you need to acquire a minimum of 90 (out of a possible 150) points on the CMP application (which is available to download at no charge on the CIC Web site). The five specific areas of meeting management which make up the application and the maximum points that can be earned in each section are:

1. experience in meeting management - 35 points maximum allowed
2. management responsibility - 50 points maximum allowed
3. education and continuing education - 25 points maximum allowed
4. membership in professional organizations - 10 points maximum allowed
5. professional contribution to the field - 30 points maximum allowed

Specific information for determining points in each area is included in the CMP application.

The CMP Exam Process
The CMP exam is comprised of 165 multiple-choice questions, each with four possible answers. Only one of the four answers is correct. There are no trick questions. There are no "all of the above" or "none of the above" responses. Each exam question presents a scenario (think word problems) or a problem-solving situation. You cannot just memorize definitions and the material in the reference books and pass the exam; the CMP exam tests if you can apply the knowledge from the books to a specific situation that outlines specific conditions. The exam emphasizes these types of questions because they test how well candidates can process information in particular situations to reach the appropriate solution, a skill essential for successful meeting management.

Of these 165 questions, 150 are actual test questions and are scored; 15 questions are pre-test questions that are not scored. The pre-test questions are new or revised questions and they are included on the exam to allow the CIC to review these new questions and remove any that are problematic to ensure that only valid/reliable questions are used on future exams.

All questions on the exam undergo an extensive review process by a group of meeting subject-matter experts. These experts, as well as testing experts, ensure that the exam accurately measures a meeting professional's level of knowledge. Only questions that measure competency and skill are included on the exam. Each time the exam is offered, it is a different exam with a unique set of questions from the CMP Item Bank (a database of exam questions prepared by the meeting subject-matter experts).

Exam candidates are given three-and-a-half hours to take the exam. The North American CMP exam is administered twice annually, on a Saturday in the summer and winter, at more than 20 locations. The CIC also offers the exam once per year outside North America in conjunction with IMEX, the meetings and events exhibition show held in Germany.

Every five years, the CIC conducts a study called a Job Analysis to ensure that what is tested on the CMP exam is current. Meeting professionals are surveyed to help evaluate the level of knowledge and skills that are required for and important to the successful management of meetings. The body of knowledge tested on the CMP exam is outlined in the CMP Blueprint, which is developed based on the Job Analysis results. The CMP Blueprint is organized into five domain areas, 49 tasks, and 230 knowledge topics. The five domains identify major content areas tested and indicate the percentage of questions that will be on the exam pertaining to each domain. This blueprint is the single most helpful tool in allocating study time and efforts.

Study Groups
The CIC does not offer or endorse any review or study courses/groups, since they are responsible for the administration of the designation and it would be somewhat of a conflict of interest for them to be too involved in study programs (standard practice for most certification programs). The focus of the CIC needs to remain on credentialing and exam development to maintain the high degree of credibility of the CMP designation and to ensure the integrity of the CMP. The majority of CMP study groups are offered by CIC's member organizations at the chapter level (many PCMA chapters offer an exceptional weekend study course, developed and overseen by PCMA at the international level to ensure the consistency and quality of the program). Some CIC members (including PCMA) offer CMP prep or study sessions at their annual meetings as well. In addition, PCMA offers the industry's only CMP Online Prep Course (see sidebar below). CIC's Web site lists study groups/courses that have advised the CIC of their existence, have agreed to abide by a study group code of conduct, and provided assurances they are up to date with the CMP program and policies. Strict security measures are involved with the CMP exam and questions. Be cautious if a study group or individual is claiming to offer actual CMP exam questions or is not on CIC's list of study groups, as these may be out of date, provide misinformation, or are misrepresenting themselves. The CIC offers the only "Practice Exam" for candidates (two practice exams that include "retired" actual CMP exam questions that approved candidates may purchase from CIC and take online).

CMP candidates report that participation in such groups is helpful, both for overall education and in preparing for the exam. Research indicates that those who participate in study groups have slightly higher scores on CMP exams than those who don't.

Scoring of the Exam Each candidate's score is based only on the total number of correct answers that they select. Candidates do not compete with one another and there is no limit to the number of candidates who can pass a given exam. Exams are not graded on a "curve." Scores are determined by converting the number of questions answered correctly to a "scale score" that ranges from approximately 20 to beyond 55. This conversion is based on the "weight" of the knowledge tested in each actual question on that particular exam and how important that knowledge is to a meeting professional. A scale score is neither the number of questions answered correctly nor the percentage of questions answered correctly. A total scale score of at least 55 is required to pass the exam and become a CMP. Scores are reported as pass/fail approximately six weeks after the exam is taken.

CMP Recertification
CMPs are required to renew their certification every five years (this may soon be changing to every three years). To be recertified, CMPs must earn a minimum of 60 points on the recertification application (similar to the initial CMP application, requiring continued employment, education, and involvement in the meetings industry). The good news: You never have to take another exam to continue to use the designation. All points on the recertification application must be from activities and experience within the five years since the designation was earned or the previous recertification. Certifications expire on December 31, five years from the year a person originally certified (regardless of the month you were originally certified).

Study Whenever and Wherever

PCMA offers the only online prep course, which gives CMP candidates the unique flexibility to study at their own pace, wherever they have an Internet connection.

PCMA's CMP Online Prep Course addresses the topics tested on the CMP exam through a 23-module online course. This interactive program is based on the reference books recommended by the CIC. PCMA's CMP Online Prep Course is fully interactive. Once you register for the course, you will receive a password to access the online program. Then you are free to work on each lesson at your own pace. You will have up to one year from the date of registration to access and complete the course.

The content of the course has been professionally developed to provide the most complete and up-to-date CMP prep course available. The objectives are to outline the best study techniques and provide the best study tools while you prepare to take the CMP exam. The course is not designed to teach meeting planning/management, nor to teach the material contained in the recommended textbooks, but rather to assist you in focusing your study efforts on that which is most likely to be on the CMP exam; and to promote better understanding of the exam and how the material is tested.

Pre- and post-test questions are provided within each of the 23 modules and you will receive immediate feedback on each. These questions are not designed to be sample CMP questions, but have been included to reinforce important information and provide a method for participants to practice test-taking skills. Participants can take three timed practice exams that mimic the three-hour 150-item CMP test.

Each of the 23 modules of the course will specify chapters within each of the texts that must be read/studied and follows the CMP Examination Blueprint.

To register for PCMA's CMP Online Prep Course, and help ensure your success in becoming a CMP, go to www.pcma.org and click on "Education." For more information, contact PCMA customer service at (877) 827-7262; (312) 423-7262 outside North America.

New this year: The PCMA CMP Study Course, designed for facilitators and participants, which blends face-to-face study groups with online self-assessment and practice exams.

Core CMP Take Away

The following references are recommended by the CIC to prepare for the CMP exam:
1. The Convention Industry Council Manual, 8th edition (new in February 2008 and in effect for the August 2008 exam)
2. The Convention Industry Council International Manual, 1st edition
3. PCMA's Professional Meeting Management, 5th edition

Vicky A. Betzig, CMP, is president/owner of Meetings Industry Consulting and has been involved with all aspects of managing meetings, conferences, conventions, trade shows, and events for 20-plus years. She has been integrally involved in the CMP process over the past 13 years, and created PCMA's CMP Study Weekend, PCMA's CMP Instructor Training, and PCMA's Online CMP Prep courses. A nationally recognized trainer, presenter, and author on meeting management topics, she is the co-recipient of PCMA's 2004 Author of the Year Achievement Award. Reach her at vabetzig@mindspring.com.