“Have you ever seen anything like this before?”
This was the start of just about every conversation in the year 2020 in our industry. Our community is going through some transformative changes, and it isn’t the first time a metamorphosis has happened. When the COVID-19 crisis started, many of us began reaching out for guidance and support from mentors in the industry to get a perspective or a hint at how to tackle the colossal challenge ahead. We reached out to the most experienced people we knew – the most tenured.
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By Joyce Paschall, CAE, CMP-HC, CMM | Associate Executive Director, Education and Engagement, American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine
If I told you a few months ago that we were planning a fully in-person annual meeting this summer, you might think we would scale the event back to its bare essentials. For a medical meeting serving a specialised physician audience, this would mean laser-like focus on core education, scientific research and coveted community interaction. You might also likely assume that we would again forego new concepts we had planned to unveil in 2020, such as enhanced stage production and an on-premises surgical lab. You could even surmise a reduction to the overall footprint and schedule.
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How many years have you been a CMP?
I have been a CMP for nine glorious years. I was born in Chicago, Illinois, USA, and I am a Chicago girl. However, I did grow up in Atlanta, Georgia, from about seventh grade through college.
What did you want to (or think you’d) be when you grew up?
I did have the opportunity to think I would be an actuarian when I was a kid because my dad was the very first Black certified CLA in the United States. So, he introduced the actuarian profession to me at a young age, and that's what I thought I was going to do for the longest time.
Then I thought I would be a fashion buyer because I loved fashion. I love the whole idea of the entire industry. So, somewhere in high school, I got a lovely mentor, Jean Brooks Murphy, who was the very first Black buyer at Macy's in New York, as well as Bloomingdale's to be my mentor. She groomed me to be a buyer, so I worked with her in the special events department at Rich's (which became Macy's) here in Atlanta for several years. So, that’s kind of how I had an excellent trajectory into events. Before that, I worked with my sister, a master cosmetologist who ran the testing salon at a famous hair care products company and produced hair shows at trade shows. So, when I was in middle school, give or take, going out on the road with her and helping her allowed me to see the production life.
You have your sales team just like trade shows now. And then, specifically with hair shows comes fashion shows, so her putting that together — working with the sales team and working with the fashion designers and then the platform or hair platform artists - that hustle-bustle. I adored it. It was my favorite thing to see and do and be a part of, which is why I love the on-site execution of events today.
When I worked with Macy's special events, I got the opportunity to do the same types of things and then move through and matriculate through working for nonprofits, foundations, academia, and even on the venue side, corporate and associations.
So that's how I grew up, thinking I was going to be in those industries. My first job after college was as a buyer for T.J. Maxx in their corporate office. I was excited about that.
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You now have until 31 December 2021 to reinstate your CMP credential. Get started today by following the steps below:
- Access your CMP portal account using the email address we have on file as your Username.
- When you’re logged in:
- Review your contact information to make any necessary updates
- Update your professional experience
- Review your continuing education hours and update any additional CEs
- Pay the $375 USD reinstatement fee
- Submit the recertification application. Click the Recertify link in your online account.
In an effort to allow you the opportunity to earn any CEs you may have needed to be able to recertify, any CEs you've earned this year will also count as part of the extension.
Questions? Please feel free to reach out to the EIC certification team at certification@eventscouncil.org or by phone at +1 202 712 9059.
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Is your CMP credential set to expire on 1 January 2022? Recertify by 30 September 2021 and take advantage of the $250 USD recertification fee before it increases to $275 USD on 1 October 2021. Your CMP credential must be renewed by 31 December 2021 to continue to use the credential. We encourage you to complete the CMP recertification process early and save on your recertification. Get started today!
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The Centre for Sustainability and Social Impact is a representation of EIC’s vision, mission and values. It provides globally relevant resources that champion the adoption of sustainable and socially impactful practices. Through providing access to such resources, EIC contributes to a lasting pan-industry commitment to environmental and social impact, including accelerated action for sustainable development and increasing diversity, equity and inclusion.
As part of its ongoing work, The Centre for Sustainability and Social Impact recently launched its online Sustainable Event Professional Certificate (SEPC) programme, which will equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to produce events that align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Courtney Lohmann, Director of Corporate Social Responsibility for PRA and past Chair of the Events Industry Council’s Sustainability + Social Impact Committee, explains why it is the perfect time to sign up for the Sustainable Event Professional Certificate Programme and how businesses can learn to implement sustainability throughout their entire event.
The Sustainable Event Professional Certificate is eligible for 12 hours of Continuing Education credits (CEs) toward initial CMP examination eligibility or recertification. EIC is also an approved provider of CAE continuing education, and this programme offers 12 CAE credits.
As part of the programme, participants will have access to a digital workbook with activities to customise a roadmap for their own sustainable event and will be awarded a certificate of completion along with a digital badge at the end of the course.
Learn more
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 The EIC Advance Collections, an exciting new addition within EIC’s robust Knowledge Hub, are available in EIC’s Learning Management System (LMS). These Collections provide access to these thought leader sessions by practice areas and tests the knowledge gained through session quizzes, all while allowing you to earn up to 25 CE credits toward your CMP recertification.
Connect to these exciting and carefully curated collections, which cover five practice areas:
- Digital Design
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
- Event Design
- Upskilling, Reskilling & Wellness
- Sustainability & Social Impact
Explore this and other signature content and programmes in the LMS, available on-demand and at your convenience!
Learn more
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Have you updated your CMP profile lately?
The CMP community is strong and vital to the future of our industry that you worked hard to join, and you want to stay connected with now and into the future.
Keeping your personal CMP account information up to date will allow us to ensure you are receiving relevant and timely communications about your CMP certification as well as the latest news coming from EIC and the global business events industry.
As a “thank you” for updating your profile, six CMPs will be selected to win 50% off a Sustainable Event Professional Certificate (SEPC) course registration.
- Log into your CMP portal account with the email address you used during your CMP process. If you need to update your name or primary email address, please contact the EIC certification team at certification@eventscouncil.org or by phone at +1 202 712 9059.
- Update your contact information by the contest deadline date of Friday 1 October 2021.
- Winners will be notified by Friday 8 October 2021 and given a coupon code for 50% off an SEPC course registration.
Thank you for your continued support, dedication and focus on behalf the Events Industry Council.
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Have you joined the LinkedIn group for CMPs? Log in and connect with 7,500 fellow CMPs from around the world. Search for the listed group: Certified Meeting Professionals – CMPs and request to join.
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EIC has become signatories of The Code which provides awareness, tools, and support to the travel and tourism industry to protect children against sexual exploitation.
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Singapore Tourism Board (STB), Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) and UFI (The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry) have partnered to launch a white paper titled “Reimagining Business Events – Through COVID-19 and Beyond”.
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The best way to get a first look at what will define post-2021 events is to follow the people who are leading the way to the future. Get to know Smart Meetings’ 2021 Planners of the Year.
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One thing is clear: The pandemic demanded that we think deeply about how — and where — we meet. Four events industry experts weigh in on lessons learned and where we’re headed.
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Japan has put a spotlight on sustainability at the 2020 Olympic Games, with athletes standing on podiums made of recycled plastics to receive medals crafted from recycled small electronics before sleeping on beds made of cardboard.
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Despite the lull in events business, these firms worked harder than ever to support their employees, communities and the meetings industry.
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In many parts of the world, hospitality and tourism are on the rise as the global economy is getting stronger, but the increase in workforce to support the industry is not occurring at the same pace. As we look to support a more resilient and sustainable global recovery, our industry is challenged by labour shortages due to earlier layoffs, furloughs and exits from our industry. Our remaining workforce is overwhelmed and needs help. The wellness of the workforce could be at a tipping point and is essential for our industry’s recovery. EIC recently engaged a panel of industry thought leaders for a conversation about workforce and wellness, and how organisations can attract and support our workforce through communication, empathy, resources and flexibility.
View webinar
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EIC is pleased to announce we’ve launched a new online shopping experience. Make your path to CMP that much easier with quick shipping, user-friendly navigation, and both digital & print options. Visit our store today!
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To date, this industry-wide task force has published seven accepted practices guides: B2B and B2C Exhibitions, Business Continuity, Meeting and Event Design, Health and Safety for Hotels, Workforce and Wellness, Travel and Transportation, and Resources for Destinations. Additional resources include a Code of Conduct, Principles for Recovery, Key Questions for Event Organisers, Know Before You Go, and a Crisis Communications worksheet. After the release of each guide, EIC hosted a webinar with task force members to review the resources. You can access all of this helpful aggregated content via EIC's website and YouTube channel.
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In conjunction with the release of the Resources for Workforce and Wellness Accepted Practices Guide, EIC launched a Career Centre on its website.
The resources for the EIC online Career Centre are organised by:
- Career Opportunities: A job posting board
- Career Pathways: 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
As an industry built on partnerships and collaboration, we are stronger together and are here to support one another.
Visit the Career Centre
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