By Barbara Connell, CMP, CAE I Chair of the CMP Governance Commission

We have some very exciting news to share this month. First, on behalf of the CMP Governance Commission, welcome to our new class of CMPs and CMP-HCs! We are thrilled to see 287 professionals from the August class join our community.

The Events Industry Council now offers the CMP and CMP-HC exam year-round and via remote proctoring. Approximately 50 percent of our August candidates chose the remote proctoring option. Each month, EIC will announce and welcome a new class. To see so many professionals taking this time to strengthen their skills and network is truly inspiring.

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

Earlier this month, EIC launched a digital badge programme and kicked off the initiative with CMP and CMP-HC badges. It gives me great pride to see these digital badges across social media. As I stated in the press release, our hope is that these badges will help you promote and amplify your own personal brands while raising awareness to the power and strength of the events industry.

We are starting to see some positive momentum with events being held while organisers implement processes and measures to promote safety. Through its APEX COVID-19 Business Recovery Task Force, EIC offers many helpful resources for event professionals. I encourage you to visit the website to access these tools.

You also may have heard about EIC Advance, a new event that will be held 18-20 November. Registration will open soon, and I encourage all CMPs to consider attending and joining the campfires and sessions, just as we would have traditionally done at Conclave.

Finally, we are approaching the deadline to submit nominations to serve on the CMP Governance Commission. EIC relies upon seasoned CMPs to govern the programme and ensure that it is a reflection of the meetings industry. New commission members will serve a three-year term that begins 1 January 2021. Now is a great time to serve in this important volunteer role. Apply here.

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

Thank you for your continued service and dedication to the CMP community.

This year, CMPs who earned their certifications in 2015, 2010, 2005, 2000, 1995, 1990 and 1985 are all scheduled to recertify. Understanding the disruption caused by COVID-19, EIC has frozen the recertification fee at $225 USD through 30 September 2020.

CMP Today asked volunteer leaders from the CMP Governance Commission to share "why I recertify." Here are some of their inspiring responses.

"Recertification helps keep you relevant and committed to the meetings industry by being the catalyst to help you continue to build on your knowledge and skills."Michelle Allgauer, CMP, CAE, CMM, Senior Vice President, Education and Engagement, Financial Services Institute, Inc. (FSI)

"I recertify because I am committed to my professional development and the investment in my certification."Aleka Garcia, CMP-HC, Marketing Manager, Conventions and Events, Johnson & Johnson Vision

"I've been a CMP since 2000 and will recertify this year. The CMP designation has been a highlight in my career in meetings and events, and the CMP community is one filled with talented, supportive colleagues who understand and are involved in the industry, and are driving us forward with constant protocol improvements and higher educational standards that provide successful results." Timothy Glanzer, CMP, Chief Elevation Officer, Elevated Meeting Solutions

"My CMP credential is a tacit way of informing my academic colleagues that meetings and events is a professional field and not just an administrative job. I could say it until I'm blue in the face, but credentials speak louder than words in my environment. Having the CMP has furthered my academic career and helped launch a degree program at the college I'm currently teaching at. It's powerful!"Tyra Warner, PhD, JD, CMP, Department Chair, Hospitality, Tourism and Culinary Arts, College of Coastal Georgia

"The decision to recertify was an easy decision for me. I consider the CMP designation an extremely important part of my career. To me, the CMP stands for excellence in the industry and a commitment to striving towards that excellence. It also stands for a commitment to ongoing learning, which I feel is vital for everyone regardless of what point in your career you are at the moment." #CMPPROUD Robb Webb, CMP, MBA, Managing Director of Meetings and Events, ACSD

Is this your year to recertify?

Now more than ever, the CMP community provides support and vision for our industry's path forward. You can confirm your year of recertification by logging into your existing Events Industry Council account. If you don't remember your login information, simply follow the guidance on the login page. Don't miss the opportunity to stay connected to your CMP community. If you know you are in your fifth year and need to recertify, see the tips here.

Honouring individuals and organisations that have offered a lasting impact on our industry is essential. Recognising their contributions provides inspiration for all of us and creates a pathway for emerging leaders and future contributions.

This year, EIC is expanding the prestigious recognition programme to include global awards for social impact, adaptation and innovation. The Hall of Leaders is the premier recognition programme in the meetings, conventions, exhibitions, hospitality, and travel industry.

As part of EIC's global recognition programme, this year's Hall of Leaders awards also will honour individuals who, in addition to the established Hall of Leaders criteria, contributed in the areas of: leading in times of crisis, and diversity, inclusion, equity and accessibility.

EIC announced two new global awards, which are open to individuals or organisations: the EIC Social Impact Award and the EIC Adaptation and Innovation Award.

Read more

Submit a nomination

The survey for the Incentive Travel Industry Index, a joint effort between Financial & Insurance Conference Professionals, The Incentive Research Foundation and SITE Foundation, is underway. This survey, conducted with research partner Oxford Economics, takes only 15 minutes to complete and benefits our industry by helping us understand the way forward, the outlook for a post-COVID world, and more.

Take the survey

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.

Smart Meetings recently recognised these CMPs among the Planners of the Year for 2020:

• Jenny Carrera, CMP, HMCC
• Derrick Johnson II, CMP, DES
• Brittani Menina, CMP
• Renee Radabaugh, CMP
• Elizabeth Sage, MBA, CMP
• Kiersten Walker, CMP, CSEP

In June, Meeting Professionals International (MPI) announced the recipients of this year's RISE (Recognizing Industry Success and Excellence) Awards during the association's 2020 Chapter Business Summit. The recipients were selected for exceptional achievements in the meeting and events industry and will be formally recognized during the World Education Congress (WEC) taking place 3-6 November 2020.

• Sherry DeLaGarza, CMP, CMM: RISE Award for Meeting Industry Leadership
• Cassie Poss, CMP: RISE Award for Young Professional
• Bryan Quinan, CMP: RISE Award for Member of the Year 

Congratulations to all for these achievements!

News tips: Do you have a news tip or content to share? Please contact media@eventscouncil.org.

Are you looking for a new leadership opportunity? A way to give back to the CMP community? Peer interaction that can pave the way for future CMPs?

The Events Industry Council relies upon seasoned CMPs to govern the programme and ensure that it is a reflection of the meetings industry. New commission members will serve a three-year term that begins 1 January 2021. Now is a great time to serve in this important volunteer role.

Please note that all applications include two letters of recommendation. The deadline for nominations is Monday, 12 October.

Apply now

Earlier this month, EIC launched a new digital badge programme by offering a CMP and CMP-HC badge. EIC is working with Credly, the digital credentialing leader, to provide digital badges. A digital badge is a virtual representation of your certification that can be shared and verified online securely to demonstrate your competency in the events industry.

Current CMP and CMP-HCs should have received an invitation from Credly's Acclaim platform (admin@youracclaim.com) to accept a digital badge. There is no fee for the badge, and acceptance is up to you. We hope that you will use this digital badge to showcase what you have earned and your passion for this industry. You can display the badge in your email signature, electronic copies of a resume, through printable wall certificates, and on social media: LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.

Learn more

Have you joined the LinkedIn group for CMPs? Connect with more than 6,000 fellow CMPs from around the world. Search for the listed group: Certified Meeting Professionals - CMPs and request to join.

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 have 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 one 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.

EIC has released several new resources from the APEX COVID-19 Business Recovery Task Force.

In late August, EIC shared the Health and Safety for Hotels Accepted Practices Guide. The task force's hotel work group used the various guides issued by hotel companies as well as resources such as the AHLA Stay Safe program, and other global resources, as a starting point to develop a baseline. This guide offers insights beyond those guidelines focusing on four key areas:

• Transmission barriers
• Enhanced sanitisation
• Health screening
• Food and beverage guidelines

The guide covers baseline and enhanced protocols, a curation of hotel practices via a video library, as well as links to a repository of resources by EIC members and key sector-specific guidance.

Understanding the essential element of rebuilding and regaining trust, other elements of this guide, available as stand-alone documents, include:

• Events Industry Council Principles for Recovery, which correspond with U.N. Sustainable Development goals, and how this guide supports those principles
• Guide to Opening Dialogue - Key Questions for hotels and event organisers to ask each other to build trust and dialogue on health, safety, and sustainability

EIC hosted a webinar, moderated by Scott Beck, President and CEO, Tourism Toronto, and featuring members from the hotel working group, who walked through key learings and resources from the guide. You can access that video here. 

This week, EIC released the Resources for Workforce and Wellness Accepted Practices Guide, which is the culmination of work from the Workforce and Wellness working group of the task force. 

The latest addition to the series of accepted practices guides includes:

• Duty of Care standards
• Resources for career reskilling and restarting
• Frameworks for workforce, wellness and well-being
• Events industry wellness programme case studies
• COVID-19 resources

EIC will release additional deliverables via social media channels, webinars, and the EIC website. If you'd like to follow our activity on social, please connect with @Events_Council on Twitter (#APEXTaskForce), and Events Industry Council on Facebook and LinkedIn.

Upcoming deliverables include resources from the Transportation and Destinations working groups.

This year has brought intensive change and disruption to the global events industry. The new EIC Career Centre is designed to support our industry workforce. Throughout the site, you will find resources to help with your career and professional development - whether you are restarting, reskilling or upskilling. 

Key resources and information curated from across the industry and EIC members are organised by:

• Career Opportunities: A job posting board
• Career Pathways: Member organisation and association job boards; tools and resources for career and financial support
• Certification: Links to certification programmes across the industry
• Education: Webinars, courses and online events
• Research: Research and data for the global meetings and events industry
• Scholarships: Financial support for meeting professionals

If you would like to contribute additional resources or information, please contact info@eventscouncil.org.

EIC is providing these on-demand webinars free of charge. You can earn one 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.

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.

Events Industry Council On Demand offers CMP Conclave recordings, webinars and CE quizzes (more than 100 options). You can earn one 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

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 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.

As a CAE Approved Provider educational program related to the CAE exam content outline, this program may be applied for one credit toward your CAE application or renewal professional development requirements.

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 (7) 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. If you would like to receive our sustainability newsletter, please subscribe here.