As I look back over the past year, I can honestly say it has been an eventful one. Many changes and transitions have occurred — the most prominent, of course, being the transition from CIC to Events Industry Council. Truly exciting is the fact that the CMP designation itself continues to grow—evidenced by the fact that we added 862 new CMPs this year.

The Events Industry Council is committed to developing and sharing resources to advance our industry. As part of the 2017 CMP Conclave, a series of very important topics were prioritized for the APEX Standards Committee.

You worked hard to earn your CMP! If your five-year certification cycle ends in 2017, you have until December 31, 2017, to recertify your CMP. The recertification deadline is December 31, 2017, at 11:59 PM EST. We encourage you to plan ahead and submit your recertification application on or before Friday, December 29, at 1:00 PM EST, as that is the last time our staff will be in the office this year to assist you with the recertification process. Our office will reopen on Tuesday, January 2, to troubleshoot any issues, but eliminate stress by NOT waiting until the last minute! Because you are a CMP, you already have an online account. To access the account, use the email address we have on file as your Username. If it’s the first time you’ve visited your online account, you will need to reset your password. If you no longer have access to the email address we have on file, please email certification@eventscouncil.org and we’ll help you update your record. Click here to access your account and begin the recertification process.

January 25, 2018 11:00 AM EST Hot off the press! Join us for the results of the Events Industry Council's research on the state of sustainability in the events industry. This study was developed in collaboration with Sustainable Brands and Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group. As part of the webinar, learn about current top priorities for sustainability, planner and supplier approaches to sustainability and financial approaches to sustainability. This webinar is eligible for one continuing education hour (CE) towards your CMP application or recertification under Domain A. Strategic Planning. Speakers: Inge Huijbrechts, Global Vice President Responsible Business, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group Mariela McIlwraith, CMP, CMM, MBA, Director, Industry Advancement, Events Industry Council

If you've been involved in supporting, creating or managing a sustainable event in 2017, we're inviting you to apply for the 2018 IMEX-EIC Innovation in Sustainability Award. Your application will be judged on innovation in sustainable practices; impact on the environment, community and local economy; legacy, collaboration and commitment to industry education. Applications are due March 1, 2018.

On November 2, Howard Feiertag, CMP, CHME, CHA, 89, an instructor in the Hospitality and Tourism Management (HTM) Department at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University’s Pamplin College of Business, was honored for his lifetime contributions to hospitality education and practice at a gala event in metro Washington, D.C., at the Hilton McLean Tysons Corner.

Congratulations to Tahira Endean, CMP, on the publication of Intentional Event Design: Our Professional Opportunity.

PCMA Education Foundation announces 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award Honorees including Ray Kopcinski, CMP, Carrie Freeman Parsons, and Dr. Godwin Charles Ogbeide.

Meeting Professionals International (MPI) announced the approved slate for its 2018 International Board of Directors and the 2018 MPI Foundation Global Board of Trustees on December 1. The MPI International Board of Directors includes five CMPs.

Today, more than 11,000 meeting professionals in more than 50 countries worldwide hold the CMP designation. With it comes enhanced knowledge and performance and promotion of the status and credibility of the meeting profession. In all, the designation is advancing uniform standards of practice. Yet despite all these advantages, more event professionals today struggle to communicate the value of the CMP designation with colleagues in the industry.

In 2016, the Events Industry Council published a research study on the state of sustainability in the events industry. The study found differences in planner and supplier expectations and helped identify the most requested sustainability practices. One year later, we are updating the study to measure the current state of sustainability, identify priorities, and assess planner and supplier perspectives. This survey has been developed in collaboration with Sustainable Brands and Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group. Please take a few minutes to help us assess the current state of sustainability in our industry.

As 2017 comes to a close, it’s a great time to start thinking about the year ahead, and changes you’d like to make to how you plan events to make them more sustainable, healthy and welcoming. In 2018, the Events Industry Council Sustainability Initiative will be launching a #PeoplePlanetProfit awareness campaign. There is more to come, but here are some early opportunities with big impact.

Kathryn Gleesing, MBA, CMP started her own Company, Destination Management Connection, LLC (dm-connection), which is a full-service DMC handling Wisconsin and Northern Illinois. She has over 30 years of industry experience, 15 years at Visit Milwaukee as Director of Convention Services and 15 years running a meetings division of an international association in the Milwaukee area. Kristi Casey Sanders, CMP was named Director of Thought Leadership at Meeting Professionals International. Previously, she headed up the MPI Academy and created its digital marketing department. Jody Mello, M.S, CMP has been promoted to manager of professional development with PPAI. Mello joined the association as an associate manager on its professional development team in December 2014, and since then she has played an important role in the expansion of PPAI’s online learning platform and managing the first SPARK program held this past summer. Amanda Wells, CMP has been selected as the new director of National Accounts at The Arlington Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB). Wells will be taking over sales for the social, military, educational, religious, fraternal (SMERF) and national association markets. Prior to joining the ACVB team, Wells was the Complex Director of Group Sales at The Westin Stonebriar Hotel & Golf Club and Sheraton Stonebriar Hotel in Frisco.

The work of the Events Industry Council wouldn't be possible without your enthusiasm and contributions to this industry. We are forever grateful to our amazing group of volunteers who serve on our committees and support our industry initiatives, Conclave, the credential and the community. Thank you for your contributions! To volunteer in 2018 for a committee or with the CMP program, please contact info@eventscouncil.org to express your interest. We’d love to have you join us.

Have you been quoted in an article? Do you have some exciting news to share? Contact us at cmptoday@eventscouncil.org, and we can share it with the leading individuals and companies involved in the events industry! Email Us