By Barbara Connell, CMP, CAE I Chair of the CMP Governance Commission
 
As CMPs, we are connected by our dedication to this industry. We are passionate about the advancement of our profession, and we care about this vibrant community.

In tough times like this, we find ways to support each other. This support is very important to the CMP Governance Commission, the volunteers who serve this programme and you, its members.

To that end, I want to ensure that you are aware - and ask you to share with others - that we are taking some important steps to not only make the CMP exam more accessible to our candidates, but also to make recertification more accessible.

Until Sept. 30, EIC is freezing the recertification fee at $225 USD. We know how hard you've worked to attain your certification. If you are scheduled to recertify this year, you can take advantage of cost savings. You can confirm your year of recertification by logging into your existing Events Industry Council account.

Last month, I shared that we had some exciting announcements coming soon. Recently, we shared the news that the CMP exam is now offered via remote proctoring and year-round. We are already seeing such a positive response to these new options, and we look forward to welcoming new CMPs beginning next month.

Also, EIC released the Meeting and Event Design Accepted Practices Guide. These curated resources and materials provide practical information that can be customised for your organisation and region.

We have more news on the horizon, so be sure to follow Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.

I hope you continue to find connection and support through the CMP community.

Are you ready to recertify in 2020? Are you unsure? You've worked so hard to earn your CMP - don't let the deadline pass. You can confirm your year of recertification by logging into your existing Events Industry Council account. EIC has frozen the recertification fee at $225 USD through September 30, 2020, so don't delay!

If you don't remember your login information, simply follow the guidance on the login page. If you know you are in your fifth year and need to recertify, see the tips here.

On July 23, EIC hosted the panel discussion, "Amplifying our voices through advocacy: How the global events industry is taking action." Across the events ecosystem, various coalitions, associations and initiatives are working diligently to ensure that our voices are amplified and that our stories are shared by helping government officials understand the true impact events have on the global economy and job creation. At the local level, we need to ensure that key decision makers fully understand the scope and impact that our events have in each community.

Elliott Ferguson, president and CEO, Destination DC and National Chair, U.S. Travel Association, led the discussion with panellists from AEO, ASAE, HIMSS, IAEE, IAVM, Go LIVE Together, SISO and UFI. These global perspectives highlighted how we each have a role in ensuring that those outside of our industry understand this impact. With the tools, resources and guidance of the various advocacy efforts underway, we can help amplify our voices.

After the webinar, EIC shared a summary of advocacy resources. Visit EIC’s Advocacy Page for links to coalitions and organisations.

Also in July, EIC and Go LIVE Together announced the launch of a grassroots advocacy campaign to drive congressional backing for U.S. legislation vital to the recovery of business events from the impacts of COVID-19.

The campaign engages members of the business events community and provides turnkey tools to assist them with contacting their elected officials to ask for support of a temporary tax credit proposed by Go LIVE Together. The tax credit will work to defray the costs of participation in business events, especially for the 1.4 million small businesses that rely on this critical sales and marketing channel. It is under consideration for inclusion in the next phase of coronavirus response legislation currently being negotiated by the U.S. Congress, along with the extension and expansion of PPP and other funding necessary to keep the industry afloat.

"Our values are firmly rooted in the common belief that our industry drives economic growth, builds communities, educates and advocates in support of our global economy," said Amy Calvert, CEO, Events Industry Council. "We all have a role to play to share the value of our industry and the way in which live events will contribute to our recovery. By offering our borderless solidarity and participation in these efforts, we honor our commitment to our global workforce of 26 million and to the future of our industry."

More information about the tax credit and Go LIVE Together's other legislative priorities can be found here. Advocates can learn more about Go LIVE Together’s campaign and quickly send emails or social posts to their legislators by visiting https://himss.quorum.us/campaign/goLIVEtogetherLetter/

During this time of change, it's important to update your personal information in your CMP Account. This will help us help you stay connected to the CMP community.

EIC is offering support for CMP candidates impacted by COVID-19.

Application: For those seeking their CMP, EIC is providing $50 USD relief on the initial application and $50 USD for the certification examination fee if the applicant has been affected by COVID-19 and was furloughed, had their position eliminated or has experienced a salary reduction. Contact certification@eventscouncil.org for a relief code to enter when making an online payment.

Exam: EIC is providing $50 USD relief for the certification examination fee for those who have been affected by COVID-19 and were furloughed, had their position eliminated or have experienced a salary reduction. Contact certification@eventscouncil.org for a relief code to enter when making an online payment.

EIC also offers these webinars, free of charge, where CMPs can earn 1 CE per webinar viewed after taking the quiz. EIC continues to add webinars to the schedule. Participation in live webinars is free; EIC has expanded capacity to host up to 3,000 attendees.

In mid-July, the Events Industry Council announced leadership appointments for its Accepted Practices Exchange (APEX) Commission, Knowledge Committee, and Sustainability and Social Impact Committee.

"We are grateful to welcome this group of leaders to the EIC volunteer community," said Amy Calvert, Events Industry Council CEO. "At a time when our industry is navigating an unprecedented disruption and striving to collaborate and work in a unified fashion to best serve our global events industry and to create a road map for our future through adaptations focused on resilience and relevance, these individuals are committed to working together and sharing our industry's message. We collectively believe in the value of how events drive business outcomes and build communities and economies around the world."

These volunteers join the current members of the CMP Governance Commission in leadership roles representing our global events industry community.

Meet the APEX Commission

Meet the Knowledge Committee

Meet the Sustainability and Social Impact Committee

The Events Industry Council On Demand offers CMP Conclave recordings, webinars and CE quizzes (more than 100 options). You can earn 1 CE by viewing each on-demand webinar and completing the quiz via the link provided. The EIC Knowledge Hub is connected to your EIC website login and can be accessed on any device with an internet connection. Learn more.

As our industry works through the realities and impact of COVID-19, we have many valuable tools and educational resources to reference. EIC's member organisations, as well as companies around the world, are sharing information, sparking new ideas and offering support. EIC has gathered resources and tools from various sources and centralised them into a COVID-19 resource centre. We update the site weekly. If you have information to share, please contact us.

EIC is providing these on-demand webinars free of charge. You can earn 1 CE by viewing each on-demand webinar and completing the quiz via the link provided. EIC will continue to add live webinars to our schedule, which are also free to attend. EIC has expanded its live webinar capacity to host up to 3,000 people. Consider taking advantage of these free educational opportunities. Closed captions will be available. 

EIC is now a CAE Approved Provider. We will indicate programs that meet the requirements for fulfilling the professional development requirements to earn or maintain the Certified Association Executive credential. Every program that we offer that qualifies for CAE credit will clearly identify the number of CAE credits granted for full participation, and we will maintain records of your participation in accord with CAE policies. For more information about the CAE credential or Approved Provider program, please visit www.asaecenter.org/cae.

The EIC Sustainable Event Standards were released in September 2019 with a one-year provisional status. They can be downloaded at no charge from our website. There are seven different standards representing different sectors of the industry: event organiser, accommodations, audio visual and production, destination, exhibitions, food and beverage, and venue.

Visit EIC's Centre for Sustainability and Social Impact to find more resources, including infographics and the results of our 2019 State of Sustainability Survey.