CMP Board Travels to Birmingham for First-Ever Town Hall Meeting

During this fall's CMP Board meeting in Birmingham, Ala., Board members hosted the first-ever Town Hall. CMPs from all over Alabama, and as far away as Atlanta and Tennessee, joined board members to discuss the importance of the CMP designation, emerging trends in the industry, what keeps CMPs "up at night" and more.

Attendees told the board members that social media has changed the way that meeting professionals communicate with each other and with their attendees, but that it's important that we learn to measure the relevance of the social media usage before we can measure its value.

Attendees also asked CIC how to earn continuing education credits for their CMP recertification without having to add more travel to their busy schedules. CIC staff reminded attendees that there are many online courses and seminars that are available for credit. CIC also explained that being a member of an industry-related association, speaking at meetings and conferences on industry-related topics, and writing industry-related articles for publication are also great ways to accumulate CEs. Attendees also were told that to earn CEs a program or activity does not need to be reviewed by CIC first; CMPs simply must demonstrate on their applications how the subject of the activity relates to one of the 10 domains in the CMP Standards.

While the attendees all thought the Town Hall was a great way for CMPs to speak directly to board members and staff, it's hard to say who got the most out of the event. CMP Board Chair Melody Kebe, CMP, CGMP, said, "Nothing helps the board and staff develop and prioritize the CMP program's offerings more than hearing first-hand what is important to professionals in the field. The board intends to make this the first of many Town Halls."

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