Happy 2023 CMP colleagues! As we all run into the new year with hope and great anticipation, there is a lot to be grateful for and celebrate in the CMP community.

I’m Timothy Glanzer, CMP, and I am honored and VERY excited to be the CMP Governance Chair for 2023. I have been a CMP since 2000, and it has been one of the great highlights in my career. I view the CMP Governance Chair role as a true blessing and one where I can have a great impact along with my fellow CMP Commission members.

I have been on the Commission since 2016 and have enjoyed every minute of it. I appreciate the many talented colleagues I have had the opportunity to work with over the years. I’d like to thank a few of those industry leaders who have supported me and given their full commitment to the Commission.

As we consider the significance of Black History Month here at the Events Industry Council, one of the questions we continue to ask ourselves and our community relates to how our sector can continue to be a contributor to social progress and social justice.

We recognise that we have a tremendous opportunity at hand to improve the impact our events have on the communities we serve and to touch the individual participants with an experience that truly feels inclusive and welcoming. It would be easy to default to old practices and models that are easy to implement as they are familiar and perhaps have worked well enough in the past. The true opportunity to be a catalyst for change lies in having the courage to continue to ask ourselves generous questions about just how we are doing from the lens of those we serve.

This March during Business Events Industry Week in Maryland, our Equity Task Force will reconvene for Phase 2 of our plan of work to assess the learning from our benchmark study to develop tools and resources to grow our awareness – and ultimately improve our practice in these key areas of focus. The article below provides an update and summary of the work completed to date and the road ahead.

While we recognise that globally we continue to grapple with both the history and the reality of deeply rooted systemic issues around racism that plays out in so many hurtful ways, when I think about EIC’s members and partners, I feel a collective commitment to reflecting on where we have been and to move forward with intention. I see progress when I look and listen to our community and our industry leaders including our current Board of Directors that have been charged with developing a vision for our industry and turning this vision into meaningful action, and I feel inspired and grateful to work in an industry that has this incredible capacity to harness for good.

I look forward to seeing many of you at Springtime Revived and to CMP Advance in New York where we will continue to put this commitment into action and hold important conversations about how we move forward united to a better end.

Amy Calvert, CEO, Events Industry Council

Our event by CMPs, exclusively for CMPs, returns to an in-person format, 30 April-2 May

This April, make plans to join your peers and the Events Industry Council in one of the world’s most energising cities, while earning up to 10 CEs toward your certification.

Registration is now open for the return of our in-person event by CMPs, exclusively for CMPs! This two-day programme, held at the New York Hilton Midtown, will supercharge your professional development. The new design of CMP Advance centers around the relevant CMP Domains organised within the EIC pillars of People, Planet and Purpose.

Learn from industry experts on topics ranging from data intelligence, macro-economic trends, emerging business models, risk assessment and mitigation, contract negotiations, workforce and wellbeing, and stakeholder management. EIC also will share the findings from its industry-leading research including the Equity Study and the Economic Significance Study.

“CMP Advance will bring together visionary leaders and professionals who are passionate about our industry and our future,” said Amy Calvert, EIC CEO. “We are very excited about the return of this in-person opportunity for our global CMP community to meet, connect and continue their professional journey.”

Register by 13 March to take advantage of the lowest rate of $495 USD.

Programme information is available here and will be updated in the coming weeks.

Inaugural meeting will focus on current and future industry issues

Immediately following CMP Advance, the Events Industry Council will host the first CMP Fellows Retreat and Think Tank. Led by Terri Breining, CMP, CMM, CED, President of Breining Group Inc., this retreat provides CMP Fellows an interactive opportunity to identify the most effective use of our collective voice, adding our perspective to an industry continuing to evolve. 

The retreat and think tank will be 2-3 May at the New York Hilton Midtown, and is open exclusively for CMP Fellows. Register here.

EIC launched the CMP Fellows programme in 2021 to recognise and reward CMPs and/or Emeritus who continue to make a significant investment toward the betterment of the events industry and the community of people working within it. More information on CMP Fellows can be found here.

In October, EIC, in partnership with its Global Equity Task Force, released the results of its 2022 Equity Benchmarking Study, the critical first phase of EIC’s Equity Acceleration Plan. EIC appointed its Global Equity Task Force in 2020 to address systemic racism and all forms of discrimination in the business events and hospitality industry.

The study is Phase One of the plan, and reveals widespread DEI dissatisfaction amongst event professionals, minority groups and women. The results of the benchmarking study underscored that the industry has a significant way to go toward advancing ethnic diversity, gender inclusivity and equity in leadership and influential positions.

The second phase of the Equity Acceleration Plan kicks off in April with a leadership workshop to delve deeper into the study and shape resources and deliverables for the benefit of EIC’s global membership. This phase will focus on the first two dimensions of the DEI experience: Ownership and Accountability/Power of Influence, and how the plan can provide tools for organisations to connect DEI principles to actual outcomes.

Director, Equity Diversity & Inclusion, Choose Chicago

Number of years as a CMP: 8

Where did you grow up? Chicago, Illinois, USA

Favorite snack? Chips & cupcakes

What did you want to (or think you’d) be when you grew up? A writer

What was your educational field of study? Journalism and Theater

What advice would you give to anyone preparing to take the exam? Get involved with a study group. 

When did you first hear about the CMP designation and what drew you to this certification? I’m not completely sure of when I first heard about the CMP designation. I was drawn to the certification because I desired to advance in my career. This certification seemed like a great next step for achieving greater success in the industry.

What inspires you the most when you think about the future of our industry? At this point and with my new role – being a part of the team that helps to build and cultivate a diverse talent pipeline in the industry. 

How has earning the CMP designation impacted your career? The designation has respect in the industry. I think when others see the certification, they believe you know your stuff. It signifies experience and helps to elevate what we do across the industry whether a planner or supplier. 

Favorite quote? Philippians 4:13 – I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

EIC is partnering with Smart Meetings to feature CMPs.

Join EIC, ASAE and AMCI to connect with current and future industry leaders at Springtime Revived on 7 March. This global networking experience kicks off Business Events Industry Week at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, National Harbor, Maryland. Gather with industry colleagues and celebrate the power of meaningful connections. Get tickets here.

EIC now offers an interactive, accessible, online Sustainable Event Professional Certificate (SEPC) programme. The SEPC programme is for events professionals interested in accelerating sustainability and social impact in their organisations and global business events. The programme provides guidance that will be valuable for reaffirming our industry’s commitment to a recovery that is resilient, sustainable and equitable.

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.

Learn more about the course and how it can benefit your organisation here.

Congratulations to all of the CMPs nominated for this year’s PCMA Visionary Awards, Professional Excellence Award. The annual Visionary Awards, established to honor and celebrate the global business events industry’s exceptional stars, will be held 24 March.

Congratulations also go to Bill Reed, FASAE, CMP, Chief Event Strategy Officer, American Society of Hematology. PCMA has recognised Bill in the Business Events Strategist category as a 2023 Lifetime Achievement Honoree.

Do you have an achievement to celebrate? Let us know! Send an email to media@eventscouncil.org.

EIC welcomed 25 professionals who earned their CMP designation in January. Welcome the newest CMPs to our community.

In February, EIC announced and welcomed the 2022 Class of CMP Fellows. Launched in 2021, the CMP Fellows programme recognises and rewards CMPs and/or Emeritus who continue to make a significant investment toward the betterment of the events industry and the community of people working within it.

“The CMP Fellows community includes a group of professionals that have shown to be very successful in the meeting and events industry. We honor and celebrate them and all that these industry leaders have accomplished and their commitment to continue to support and build the CMP programme,” said Timothy Glanzer, CMP, Chair of the CMP Governance Commission.

Make your wellbeing a priority and earn CE credit by tuning into the replay of our February webinar: Let’s Keep it Real about Wellbeing in the Workplace. Led by moderator Rachael Riggs, CMP, DES, SEPC, Maritz Global Events, our subject matter experts shared how we can all make changes in our own wellbeing, find balance when attending industry events, battle post-event burnout, improve our health and set expectations with our clients. Watch the replay here.

The EIC Advance Collections, located within EIC’s robust Knowledge Hub, are available in EIC’s Learning Management System (LMS). These Collections provide access to 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 about the collections here.

The EIC Sustainable Event Standards have been designed to assess events and industry suppliers in support of environmental and social responsibility. They provide specific guidance for event organisers and partners, including accommodations, audio visual and production, destinations, exhibition services, food & beverage, integrated properties, and venues.

Led by EIC's Chair of the Sustainability and Social Impact Committee Meghan Green, this webinar discussion features practical and inspirational examples of circularity, climate, wellbeing, diversity, equity and inclusion, accessibility, and social impact in events. 

Learn about global trends related to sustainability and social impact, and their effect on business events; EIC programmes and tools for event organisers and supplier partners to collaborate for more successful sustainability and social impact outcomes; the risks of greenwashing, and how to ensure your events and services communicate transparently.

Earn CEs while getting inspired by case studies from event professionals actively engaged in sustainable practices.

View the webinar here. 

As a result of the pandemic lockdown, most of us transitioned quickly to delivering digital (virtual/hybrid) events rather than having no events at all. Results were mixed, some very positive, with the amplified reach to larger audiences and the rich data that digital solutions provided. A negative was the inability to engage with audiences in an in-person environment.

As the world opened up again, the assumption was that we would all return to face-to-face meetings and digital events would be used minimally; however, that is not the case.

Watch the replay of this webinar moderated by Betsy Bondurant, CMM, CTE, President, Bondurant Consulting, to understand how geopolitical and economic situations are causing the continued use of digital events; examine the benefits of improved accessibility, diversity and sustainability related to digital events; and discover how a purpose-built event portfolio can deliver in-person, virtual and hybrid events will be the long-term future of successful events.

View the webinar here. 

The Events Industry Council's Digital and Hybrid Events book is now available to view, and CE points can be earned by answering quiz questions about the guide.

The Events Industry Council's APEX COVID-19 Business Recovery Task Force - Meeting and Event Design Version 2.0 is now available to view, and CE points can be earned by answering quiz questions about the guide.

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.

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.