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On Site: CMP & Visit Spokane Reception at Convening Leaders

More than 100 CMPs PCMA's Convening Leaders in Orlando took a quick time out to shift their focus to the future...and to look West!

On Monday, January 14, Visit Spokane and CIC hosted a Kickoff Reception for this summer's CMP Conclave. The Conclave, set to be held in Spokane, Washington, June 8-10, was the headlining topic of the hour-plus event. During the reception, one lucky CMP -- Theresa Holmes, CMP of the American Counseling Association -- won a prize package including free Conclave registration, free travel to and free accommodations in Spokane.

"We couldn't be happier about all the great folks who dropped by the reception," said Keith Backsen, Visit Spokane Vice President and Director of Sales. "This is a prestigious group of meeting planners who we were able to showcase Conclave's host city to."

The CMP Conclave is the industry's only exclusive meeting of Certified Meeting Professionals. During the Conclave, attendees work on continuing development of the CMP Exam, as well as providing feedback on current test materials and making recommendations for future curriculum. They also earn continuing education credits toward renewal of their CMP.

"But what is really important to us," said Backsen, "is that Spokane will be hosting the very people who make decisions on where to hold their meetings. They're going to see what makes Spokane such a great city for meetings." Backsen pointed out Spokane's venues -- an actual downtown convention center right on the beautiful Spokane River -- and the "enormously advantageous" price points that are "significantly lower than most of our competitors." Spokane's growing retail presence and booming culinary scene are also major highlights of Washington's second-largest city.

As preparations for Conclave continue, Visit Spokane is also working with the CIC on pre-Conclave opportunities for qualified planners to experience Spokane.

Pictured (left to right): Karen Gonzales, CMP, CMP Board Chair, Destination Marketing Association InternationalI; Karen Kotowski, CAE, CMP, Convention Industry Council; Meg Harper, The Davenport Hotel Collection; Shannon Shannon, Visit Spokane; Kelsey Soukup, Spokane Convention Center; Theresa L. Holmes, CMP, American Counseling Association; Karen Staples, CMP, CASE, Visit Spokane; Lori Castro, Red Lion Hotels Corporation; Keith Backsen, CTA, Visit Spokane

CMP Conclave Education Program Committee Announced

Co-Chairs
Tina Wehmeir, CMP, AMC Institute
Linda Shaw, CMP, CMM, The Hartford

Committee Members
Angela Benson, CMP, American Bar Association
Ryan Barth, CMP, Visit Indy
Deanne Davis, CMP, The George Washington University
Christine Faiman, CMP, Marriott International
Doug McPhee, CMP, CMM, Experient, Inc.
Karen Staples, CMP, CASE, Visit Spokane
Cara Tracy, CMP, CMM, National Speakers Association
Jon Trask, CMP, AV for Planners

Recertification

Recertification Reminder

The deadline for recertification has passed if your CMP designation expired in 2012; however, you can still recertify even if your status has lapsed. Recertification applications will be accepted at the LAPSED status rate for those who expired in 2012. You don’t want the hard work and dedication that it took to obtain your certification to go down the drain.

Go to http://www.conventionindustry.org/CMP/CMPInfo/CMPRecertification.aspx to determine the requirements and to download your application, recertification guide and the CMP International Standards.

For those whose certification expires in 2013, your recertification year has just begun. Begin gathering your documents and complete the application early and save money by recertifying before April 30, 2013.

If you have questions on the process, our recertification video will take the guess work out of completing your application for you. It is easier than you think to recertify. However, if you have questions about recertification, don’t hesitate to contact us at cichq@conventionindustry.org to get your questions answered.

APEX - Standards and Best Practices

APEX Puts High Speed Internet Access into High Focus at PCMA's Convening Leaders

High speed Internet access and adequate bandwidth are crucial for today's meetings and events. The November issue of CMP Today featured an article on bandwidth that explored the important role Internet access plays in today's meetings, and offered some important things planners and suppliers need to know about high speed internet access in order to have informed discussions during the sales, planning and execution process.

APEX is responding to this need for education and resources through the APEX Bandwidth Workgroup. The workgroup, made up of a diverse group of industry professionals, began work in June of 2012 and has already released an article, a bandwidth estimating tool and a comprehensive educational presentation on the topic.

APEX volunteers MaryAnne Bobrow, CAE, CMP, CMM, CHE of Bobrow Associates, Inc and Michael Owen, CMM of EventGenuity LLC recently took the message on the road and delivered education sessions to attendees at PCMA's Convening Leaders.

During the sessions in the event's Learning Lounge, Michael Owen summed up the issue succinctly. "On this topic, most of us don't know what we don't know. When you think that the iPad is only three years old and look at the way technology is evolving, it's clear that bandwidth is more and more important to meetings and events. And as professionals we all need to start this conversation. We need to be aware of what needs to happen and be in place to make sure needs are met and attendees have the right experience."

The sessions, presented in a quick 15 minute format drew a diverse group of new and veteran planners. MaryAnne Bobrow explained the broad appeal this way: "seasoned professionals avoid '101' classes like the plague. This is the one exception everyone needs to make. This is information not previously presented and information that everyone needs to know."

The APEX Bandwidth Workgroup will continue to develop and release additional resources in the coming months, including a comprehensive white paper, articles, presentations, a glossary of terminology and other helpful tools.

For more information on this topic, visit the APEX Event Bandwidth page on the CIC web site.

Industry News

IAEE to Co-locate Midyear Meeting with ASAE Annual Meeting 5-7 August 2013

DALLAS and WASHINGTON, D.C., 5 December 2012 – The International Association of Exhibitions and Events™ (IAEE) will co-locate its Midyear Meeting with ASAE's Annual Meeting to be held 5-7 August 2013. The combined program will include IAEE's education for exhibition and event organizers as well as ASAE's trade show.

IAEE President & CEO David DuBois, CMP, CAE, FASAE, CTA, said, "Co-location with our partner organizations provides value back to our members. Leaders can assess the state of the exhibitions and events industry and determine how best to maximize their resources and to grow their own events and strengthen the industry overall."

ASAE President & CEO John Graham, CAE, added, "This partnership makes sense. Both ASAE and IAEE seek to grow our key meetings, and our audiences can greatly benefit from both perspectives. The dialogue will undoubtedly open new doors for doing business together and creating long-lasting partnerships."

The additional value for IAEE attendees includes an opportunity to attend ASAE's networking events and its exhibition. Likewise, ASAE attendees will be able to take advantage of niche education sessions focused on exhibition management that are currently not offered and hopefully attract new exhibitors now that IAEE's organizers, the buyers, would be in attendance. For several years, ASAE and IAEE have worked together on numerous programs and projects to support the value of face-to-face events; therefore, this co-location is a natural progression of past joint collaborations. By bringing together two prominent trade associations to enhance the members' experiences the organizations create a win-win scenario for everyone and foster an environment for long-term growth. Additional details will be provided on www.asaecenter.org and www.iaee.com.

On The Move

CMPs On the Move

Lori L. Burke, CMP is now President and CEO of LLB Enterprises, LLC in Woodbridge, VA

Kaitlind Marquez, CMP is now an Account Executive, Exposition Sales at Freeman.

Jane (DeLeon) Mato, CMP is now the Senior Sales Manager at L'Ermitage Beverly Hills.

Crystal M. Page, CMP is now Senior Manager, Company Administrative and Event Services for Clinical Care Options.

Brian Snyder, CMP was promoted to Director of Meetings at the American Association of Airport Executives in October 2012.

Kevin Spragg (CMP) has re-located his business, MeetingsMatter.ca from Vancouver to Toronto.

Make an awesome career move? Let us help you celebrate! Send the details of your latest career triumph to cmptoday@conventionindustry.org. And while you're at it, be sure to log into www.conventionindustry.org and update your official CMP record.

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