Over the past four years I have witnessed incredible generosity, passion, subject matter expertise and knowledge through the effort of our volunteer leaders. When I started my journey with EIC in May 2019, I was struck by how much the opportunity to be a part of the EIC volunteer leadership community meant to those involved.
One of the key reasons I heard often was the ability to meet industry peers from outside their traditional sphere of influence or network. This community of SMEs over the years has been directly involved in ensuring that EIC is able to fulfill its mission championing and supporting the industry through advocacy, research, professional standards and professional recognition.
One of the reasons I believe this community has been able to deliver such incredible work is that this EIC experience brings together professionals with diverse experience and backgrounds who are united by key global regions and industry sectors.
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EIC is now partnering with Smart Meetings to profile CMPs! By sharing the educational and professional stories of meetings and events industry professionals, both organisations hope to inspire others to continue their educational journey and elevate the entire industry. Look for excerpts in CMP Today and on the Smart Meetings website.
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While growing up in Acapulco, Mexico, Robert Sanchez, CMP, dreamed of becoming a fighter pilot. He imagined himself alongside the heroes of Top Gun, living a fast-paced life, helping people through service and enjoying days on the beach.
He grew up to become one of Events Industry Council’s (EIC) proud Certified Meeting Professionals (CMP). But this profession isn’t too far off; he tells Smart Meetings that “the discipline, preparation and vision” present in the fighter pilots of Top Gun are “all essential when leading a team and planning missions – I mean, events!”
Sanchez currently works as the president and CEO of the Colleyville Chamber of Commerce and is the co-founder of S3 Global Events. He attended Texas Tech University to earn a degree in Hospitality in RHIM (Restaurant, Hotel & Institutional Management). In 2006, he earned his CMP certification from EIC.
Sanchez spoke to Smart Meetings about what inspired him to earn his CMP and where the certification has brought him. Read his full interview here.
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Mark your calendar to join industry leaders and fellow CMPs at the EIC Global Awards, 16 October from 5-8 pm PDT at the Bellagio Las Vegas. Registration is open here. This annual celebration of exemplary achievements and impactful leadership will honour the 2023 Hall of Leaders inductees as well as recipients of the Pacesetter Award, EIC Social Impact Award, and EIC Adaptation and Innovation Award.
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EIC is hosting office hours with Director of Certification Gus Chijioke on a regular basis for those who are beginning the CMP journey, who are ready to sit for the exam, are currently a CMP with general questions, or if you have questions on the Sustainable Event Professional Certificate programme. The next office hours will be held on 12 September at 11 am Eastern. Register here.
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Mark your calendar to join fellow CMPs at CMP Advance 2024 in Toronto, Canada! Next year, we will meet from 11-13 March in Toronto, at the Fairmont Royal York. Stay tuned for more information on registration later this year.
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EIC is offering an exclusive CMP discount on the Sustainable Event Professional Certificate programme. This is a great opportunity to earn 12 hours of CE credits toward your CMP recertification while learning how to design and implement your own sustainable events. CMPs can get a 10% discount code by emailing Certification Director Gus Chijioke.
About the SEPC
In 2022, EIC launched its interactive, accessible online SEPC programme for events professionals interested in accelerating sustainability and social impact in their organisations and global business events. Developed by a globally diverse group of business events industry leaders and experts in the areas of sustainability, social impact and event management, this highly interactive and accessible format takes users on an engaging, insightful and easy-to-follow journey.
The SEPC covers 16 modules that include understanding the business value of sustainability, improving environmental performance of meetings and events, and effective methods for achieving social impact goals. As part of the programme, participants will have access to a digital workbook with activities to customise a roadmap for their own sustainable event. Participants in the programme earn 12 hours of Continuing Education credits (CEs) towards CMP application or recertification, and or 12 CAE credits.
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EIC welcomed 17 professionals who earned their CMP designation in July. Welcome the newest CMPs to our community.
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Have you joined the LinkedIn group for CMPs? Log in and connect with more than 8,000 fellow CMPs from around the world. Click here and request to join the group.
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Business meetings prove resilient and face-to-face interaction is paramount
The Events Industry Council (EIC), in partnership with Oxford Economics, has released findings from its 2023 Global Economic Significance of Business Events study. This comprehensive study evaluates the full scope and economic significance of the $1.6 trillion USD global business events industry. Beyond better understanding pre-pandemic benchmarks and 2020 losses, the extensive research analysis across 50 countries includes the important “catalytic” effects or wide-reaching benefits of business events.
An executive summary is available on EIC’s website. Here are some key points in the research:
· Global events industry contributed $1.6 trillion to the global GDP in 2019. The industry’s economic impact is larger than many global economies.
· Based on its $663 billion direct GDP impact, the business events sector would rank as the 21st largest economy globally.
· Two-thirds of global direct business event spending was lost in 2020; the three-year cumulative lost sales total $1.9 trillion.
· Total Participants: 1.6B
· Total Jobs: 27.5M
The 2023 study was made possible by generous support from our partners: ADMEI, AHLA, ASAE, Caesars Entertainment, Fairmont, Freeman, IACC, IAEE, IMEX Group, IRF, Los Angeles Tourism, Maritz Global Events, MCI, MGM, MPI, Northstar, New York City Tourism + Conventions, Omni Hotels & Resorts, PCMA, RCMA, SISO, SITE, U.S. Travel Association.
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Earlier this year, EIC hosted more than 200 business event professionals in New York City for the in-person return of CMP Advance. Session videos will soon be available for purchase through EIC’s Learning Management System. CMPs will have an opportunity to earn CEs through the video sessions.
CMP Advance is designed by CMPs, for CMPs, to supercharge professional development, create an open space for peer-to-peer idea exchange and problem solving, and connect the global CMP community.
The CMP Advance programme centered around the relevant CMP Domains organised with the EIC pillars of People, Planet and Purpose. Three tracks of sessions provided an opportunity for attendees to earn 10 CEs toward their CMP recertification. Topic areas also included:
· Designing Inclusive Environments
· Understanding Data-Driven Insights that Influence the Industry
· Sustainable Event Practices: Turning Our Vision into Action
· Fully Immersing Your Audience with Intelligent Experience Design
· Forming a More Perfect Union: Event Professionals and Project Management
· Scenario Planning for Everything
· How Digital Strategy Supports Events and Drives Growth
· Improve the Impact of Your Audience Acquisition
· A Focus on Mental Health and Wellbeing in the Events Industry
· Negotiating Contracts Begins with a Partnership
Stay tuned for the launch of the video series.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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