With the start of a new year, many of us will make a list of resolutions that we vow to achieve throughout the year no matter what. As always, we start off doing well but get sidetracked with doing something else or don’t commit ourselves to stick with the resolution(s) despite our good intentions. However, I believe there is one resolution that each of us can achieve, and that is turning our challenges into opportunities. Do you ever think about the opportunities you've had in the past but decided there were too many challenges or obstacles that led you to just give up in achieving your goals? 

There are times when I will challenge myself to step outside of my comfort zone to maximize my potential to do something new and different. The opportunities associated with each project have had a profound and positive impact on my ability to learn from and share my experience with others.  

As you look forward to the days ahead resolve to grab hold of challenges and turn them into opportunities to make something positive happen for you.  

In this issue, we introduce you to the 2014 CMP Board and the new CMP Certification Manager, who will all be working diligently to continue to grow and expand the CMP Program. We also take a look at the new figures revealed in the updated Economic Significance of Meetings to the U.S. Economy report, which will be released in full later this month, and recognize fellow CMPs who were recently honored at PCMA’s Convening Leaders for their inspiring contributions to the industry. 

We are looking forward to another amazing year for the CMP Program and encourage you all to continue to strive and grow, and to share your stories (triumphs and even setbacks) with us throughout the year at cmptoday@conventionindustry.org. Remain steadfast and encouraged.

"By facing our challenges we discover our potential. – Mac Anderson, The Nature of Success" 

Melody Kebe, CMP, CGMP
Chair, CMP Board

 

Earlier this month, the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) held its 58th Annual Meeting, Convening Leaders, in Boston and the Convention Industry Council was there.

On Monday morning, CIC hosted a CMP Breakfast, sponsored by the Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau, who invited performers Jessi Alexander (left) and Jon Randall to entertain. Kicking off the breakfast, CMP Board Vice President Joanne Joham, CMP, CMM, welcomed CMPs on behalf of the CMP Board and gave remarks. Joanne spoke to the board's dedication to continuing to make the CMP the recognized mark of excellence for meeting professionals and keeping the CMP certification relevant and current. She also touched on the release of the new edition of the CIC Manual, progress on the CMP-Healthcare subspecialty, a new research initiative to determine hiring practices and preferences as they relate to certification and meeting professionals, and the continued expansion of the global reach of the program. 


Later that evening, CIC hosted a "Wine-d Down" Reception with the AMC Institute and the Visit Spokane team where CIC CEO Karen Kotowski, CAE, CMP, updated attendees on progress made by the CMP Board and CIC Staff in 2013. Highlights included updating the CMP Strategic Framework pillars, making the 9th edition of the CIC Manual available in an electronic format for the first time, holding the first-ever CMP Town Hall Meeting in Birmingham, Ala., hosting a group of international CMPs at Conclave for the first time, and announcing the release of an update on the Economic Significance Study from 2010. Karen also reminded CMPs to get ready for Conclave 2014 (Sept. 6-8, 2014) in New Orleans, La. and handed out some much sought-after luggage tags, which attendees tweeted pictures of using the (hashtag) #cmppreferred. 

A few CMPs walked away from that event with great prizes, including a Kindle Fire HD (courtesy of AMC Institute), a Wine Basket featuring Washington State wines (courtesy of Visit Spokane) and a trip to the 2014 CMP Conclave, which includes registration, airfare and accommodations (courtesy of CIC). The winners and host representatives are pictured above (from left): Tina Wehmeir, CMP, CEO, AMC Institute; Jennifer Woods, CMP, winner of the Kindle Fire HD; Karen Kotowski, CAE, CMP, CEO, Convention Industry Council; Amanda Smith Rasnick, CMP, winner of a trip to the 2014 CMP Conclave; Karen Staples, CMP, CASE, Eastern Regional Director of Sales, Visit Spokane; and Carmelina Iannarone, CMP, winner of a Wine Basket featuring Washington State wines. 
 
A special thank you to all who attended and helped make these events memorable!

 

CMPs, are you due to recertify your CMP designation in 2014? If so, please keep in mind that you can start submitting your CMP recertification application, beginning now!

Your recertification year has just begun. Begin gathering your documents, plan to complete the application early, and save money by recertifying before April 30, 2014. It's easier than you think. But don't just take our word from it. Joanna C. D'Agnese, CMP, CMM, completed the recertification process in 2013 and had these thoughts about her experience:

"I received my recertification documents in the mail this morning and wanted to thank you and the CIC. The CMP has always meant a great deal to me, and I am forever grateful that I took the big step at the time to work for it. I think maintaining high standards for recertification is so essential and welcomed the process. Please thank everyone at the CIC for maintaining the luster and value of this certification. It is becoming more important to employers and its value in the industry is without question of a high caliber."

Please visit the recertification section of our website to determine the requirements and to download your application, recertification guidelines and the CMP International Standards.

Status	Due Date	Fee	Recert Year
Recertification Early Fee	January 1-April 30	$200 USD	2014
Recertification Regular Fee	May 1-August 30	$225 USD	2014
Recertification Late Fee	September 1-December 31	$250 USD	2014
Recertification Lapsed Status*	December 31	$350 USD	2013

 

The CMP Board includes representatives from CIC member organizations and international and academic liaisons. The CMP Board represents the profession's diversity and serves as a voice for stakeholders who have an interest in maintaining high professional standards and advancing the art and science of professional meeting management.

The 2014 CMP Board has been finalized and welcomes new members:  

• Connie Bergeron, CMP, representing GMIC – Green Meetings Industry Council
• Dean Jones, CMP, representing RCMA – Religious Conference Management Association
• Leslie Jones, CMP, representing NACE – National Association of  Catering and Events
• Tabitha Wunderlich, CMP, representing HSMAI – Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International

Janet Sperstad, CMP, who is a long-time Board member, is now representing MPI – Meeting Professionals International, and Linda Shaw, who previously retired from the CMP Board, is back for one more year, representing FICP.

The 2014 CMP Board

Chair
Melody Kebe, CMP, CGMP

Vice Chair
Joanne H. Joham, CMP, CMM

Immediate Past Chair
Karen M. Gonzales, CMP 

ACCED-I (Association of Collegiate Conference and Events Directors-International)
Diana M. Hakenholz, CMP

ADME (Association of Destination Management Executives) 
Valerie Hershiser, DMCP, CMP 

AH&LA (American Hotel & Lodging Association)
Kimberly Miles, CMP

ASAE (American Society of Association Executives)
Amy Ledoux, CAE, CMP

CSPI (Convention Sales Professionals International)
Eric Blanc, CMP

Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI)
Karen M. Gonzales, CMP 

ESCA (Exhibition Services & Contractors Association)
Matthew J. DiSalvo, CMP 

ESPA (Event Service Professionals Association) 
Cary S. Bradley, CMP, CMM 

FICP (Financial and Insurance Conference Planners) 
Linda M. Shaw, CMP, CMM 

GMIC (Green Meetings Industry Council) 
Connie Bergeron, CMP

HSMAI (Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International)
Tabitha Wunderlich, CMP

IACC (International Association of Conference Centers) 
Lisa Laubgross, CMP 

IAEE (International Association of Exhibitions and Events) 
Cathy Breden, CAE, CMP

ICCA (International Congress and Convention Association) 
Joanne H. Joham , CMP, CMM 

MPI (Meeting Professionals International)
Janet Sperstad, CMP

NACE (National Association of Catering and Events) 
Leslie Jones, CMP

NCBMP (National Coalition of Black Meeting Planners) 
Michael D. Gunn, CMP 

NSA (National Speakers Association) 
IASB (International Association Speakers Bureau)
Edward E. Scannell, CMP, CSP 

PCMA (Professional Convention Management Association) 
Dawn McEvoy, CAE, CMP

PDI-POA (Protocol and Diplomacy International - Protocol Officers Association)
Michael D. Lynn, CMP, CEM, CME, CMM, CPC

RCMA (Religious Conference Management Association) 
Dean Jones, CMP 

SGMP (Society of Government Meeting Professionals)
Melody Kebe, CMP, CGMP

Academic Liaison
Carol Krugman, MEd, CMP, CMM 

International Liaison
Eduardo Chaillo, CMP, CMM 

 

M. DeVone Jones joined the CIC in October 2013 as the Certification Manager of the CMP Program. He brings more than two decades of certification and credentialing experience across diverse professions that include community planning, multifamily housing and diagnostic medical sonography. M. DeVone's experience encompasses a range of areas, such as test development and systems innovation, component relations, continuing education, quality assurance, event planning and volunteer training. 

You have an extensive background in the certification field. How do you see those experiences helping you at CIC? 

Certification has been a constant throughout my professional life. Although I have worked across diverse professions, the general process of developing an examination based on the knowledge, skills and abilities in a profession has remained present. What has changed is the introduction of greater management and production efficiencies, such as innovative technology for item writing, SME (subject matter expert) training, creating enhanced item types, test delivery and marketing. I believe that my experiences in these areas will benefit CIC as it expands its strategic scope.

What will be your main focus over the course of your first year with CIC?

From a practical perspective, I will spend time acquainting myself with the organizational culture, systems and the CMP community. I will also work on continuing education, systems innovation and marketing strategies.

What’s a typical day for you like?

CIC is a high touch organization and every day involves communicating with those in the process of applying to take the CMP exams or recertifying. Providing excellent internal and external customer service are key components to keeping things running smoothly.

You listed event planning as part of your experience. How would you tie that experience to your current position with CIC?

My prior experience gives me a good grasp of what it takes to plan events from the perspective of organizational staff. In that capacity, I worked with staff and volunteers on everything from planning meeting agendas, choosing the meeting venue and contract negotiations, to serving as the meeting recording secretary and assembling and staffing the exhibit hall booth. Working at CIC gives me up close and personal access to the requirements, which dedicated meeting professionals must meet to attain the CMP designation with my prior experience lending insightful context.

Share with us something about yourself we wouldn't be able to guess by looking at you.

I was a dancer and instructor (disco and ballroom) back in the day. LOL! 

 

Kati Quigley, CMP – Distinguished Meeting Professional of the Year
From International Meetings Review, "The recipient of the 2013 Distinguished Meeting Professional of the Year Award is Kati Quigley, CMP, senior director, WW Partner Community Events, Microsoft Corporation. Kati has held senior level professional positions at both an association and a corporation. Additionally, Kati is a past chairman of the PCMA board of directors, the former president of the Capital Chapter and a current member of the PCMA Education Foundation Board of Trustees. Earlier this year, Kati led a group of PCMA senior planners through a behind the scenes tour of her annual meeting."

Carol Krugman, MEd, CMP, CMM – Educator of the Year Award
From International Meetings Review, "The recipient of the 2013 Educator of the Year Award is Carol Krugman, assistant professor, Metropolitan State University of Denver. Carol made educational contributions both inside and outside of PCMA that are felt through the industry. She served as a member of the PCMA Faculty Task Force, Colorado Meeting & Events Magazine Editorial Advisory Board, CIC CMP board of directors and was the chair of the PCMA Student Task Force. Carol has also been a mentor to countless industry professionals, shepherding them through scholarship applications and PCMA events. She is also co-executive editor of the Professional Meeting Management Version Six."

PCMA also honored the inaugural class of its "20 in Their Twenties" program, a leadership program that, according to PCMA, "is designed to engage the best and brightest young professionals in the meetings industry by recognizing emerging leaders – and their talents – which help accelerate the industry and carry it into the future." Among those honored were four CMPs: 

Ryan Barth, CMP, Sales Manager, Visit Indy
Astrid Schrier, CMP, Meeting Manager, Association Headquarters, Inc.
Rachel Walsh, CMP, Director of Meetings, Sentergroup
Leslie Wong, CMP, Creative Account Manager, Blueprint Studios

For the full list of the inaugural class, please visit the PCMA website.

 

Julie Barrow is now Director of Sales & Marketing Four Seasons Hotel in Houston.  

Fay Gallagher Christenson, CMP, is now the Assistant Director of Conference and Meetings at the National Association for College Admission Counseling. She was previously was the Senior Manager of Meetings and Education at The Gerontological Society of America.

Nancy Henkel, CMP, is now the Events and Marketing Manager for the Water Quality Association. She was previously the Senior Program Coordinator for the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) College of Pharmacy.

Mary Beth Jenson, CMP, SMMC, is now the Strategic Meetings Manager at Travel and Transport. She was previously the Strategic Meetings Manager at BNY Mellon, responsible for the successful implementation of a global SMM Program.   

LaVasha M. Lobbins, M.Ed., PMP, CMP, is now the Director of Education for the Neurocritical Care Society in Minneapolis, Minn.

Johanna Mansor, CMP, is now the president and owner of BAN2 LLC, a Silicon Valley based company offering one-stop solutions to busy professionals and companies from around the world who wish to conduct business in the region.

Jane Mato, CMP, is now  Director of National Accounts – West – Sales & Marketing for Hilton Waikoloa Village in Waikoloa, Hawaii.

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.