CMPs, are you due to recertify your CMP designation in 2014? Get started early! 

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, the CMP Recertification Guidebook and the CMP International Standards.

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

* The deadline for recertification has passed if your CMP designation expired in 2013; however, you can still recertify even if your status has lapsed. Recertification applications will be accepted at the LAPSED status rate for those CMPs whose certification expired in 2013. Recertify now and ensure that all the hard work and dedication that it took to obtain your certification doesn't go down the drain.

If you have questions on the process, our recertification video will take the guess work out of completing your application for you. Recertifying is much easier than you think.


If you have questions about recertification, don’t hesitate to contact us at cichq@conventionindustry.org to get your questions answered.

 

CIC recently announced the first class of Certified Meeting Professionals to hold the new Healthcare subspecialty – CMP-HC- certification. The CMP-HC will officially launch during the November 6-15, 2014 testing window. All CMPs who would like to apply to sit for the exam must submit their applications between May 14 and July 31, 2014. 

For more information about this new certification and to download an application, please click here.

 

 

In the meetings industry, room block "poaching" refers to businesses that actively seek to recruit or divert event attendees away from official room blocks and into other hotel bookings. Chaired by MaryAnne Bobrow of Bobrow Associates, Inc., and Michael Dominguez of MGM Resorts International, the workgroup is the latest issue APEX is addressing in its commitment to develop best practices for professional meeting management.

The volunteer committee continues the proven APEX Workgroup model, which brings together a diverse cross-section of stakeholders to conduct research and devise knowledge-based responses to issues affecting the industry. The APEX Room Block Poaching Workgroup was formed to raise industry awareness on the impacts of poaching and to develop best practices, tools, resources and education to aid individual meeting professionals in managing and protecting room blocks. 

"Hotel ‘poaching,’ or ‘piracy,’ is not new but seems to be on the rise and affecting meetings around the globe. In some instances a meeting’s management team may be unaware that rooms are being poached," said MaryAnne Bobrow. "The stellar group of individuals that form this workgroup won’t be able to eliminate the practice, but we can develop awareness and best practices for minimizing its impact." 

Michael Dominguez noted that "industry professionals can expect the workgroup to produce the high quality content APEX is known for, whether it is in the form of research, ‘how to’ guides, articles or education. Our first priority is research and data gathering, which will shape further work." 

The members of the APEX Room Block Poaching Workgroup are: MaryAnne Bobrow, Bobrow Associates, Inc.; Adam Briggs, ConferenceDirect; Ronnie Burt, Destination DC; Michael Dominguez, MGM Resorts International; Lisa Dyson, TESOL International Association; Richard Harper, HelmsBriscoe; Michael Howe, OnPeak; Fun Lee, Cardiovascular Research Foundation – Center for Education; Michael Owen, EventGenuity; Anne Roth, Intercontinental Hotels Group; Stuart Ruff, RIMS, the Risk Management Society; Heidi Voorhees, Experient.

Meeting planners are encouraged to watch their email and social networks for information on a research survey the workgroup is conducting, and to check the APEX website regularly for updates.

 

 

ESPA recently announced the winners of its fifth annual Convention Services Manager (CSM) of the Year Award, Executive Excellence Award and the Meeting Professional of the Year Award. CMPs were well represented among the winners.

Presented in conjunction with Successful Meetings magazine, the 2013 CSM of the Year Award winners are: Gregory Halka, Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa; Zack Davis, CMP, Louisville Convention and Visitors Bureau and Kimberly Kreml, CMP, University Center of Lake County. According to the ESPA press release, "each of these individuals were nominated by meeting planners and were recognized for their ability to provide the highest level of service and support for the execution of their events."

The recipient of the 2013 Meeting Professional of the Year Award is Natasha Ross, CMP, Association of Air Medical Services. "Ross was recognized for her personal and professional characteristics in creating an environment that focuses on teamwork, as well as shows partnership with event services management. She was selected because of her knowledge of the industry, her enthusiasm, attention to detail and her professionalism in partnering with ESPA to execute a complex event."

"It is an honor to recognize such deserving individuals who strive to achieve excellence in all they do," said Julie Pingston, CMP, CTA, ESPA President. "This group of professionals exemplify what it takes to produce meaningful and engaging meetings."

Congratulations to these exemplary CMPs! To learn more about these awards, and other winners, please visit www.espaonline.org.

 

Carolyn Browning, CMP, CMM, is now the Founder & Chief Solution Strategist of MEETing Needs, LLC.

Tony Cummins, M.Ed., CMP, CMM, has recently completed five years of service as an adjunct faculty member at Richland College in Dallas, TX, teaching "Meeting/Convention Law & Ethics." His company, THE MEETiNG DEPARTMENT, provides hotel site selection services, contract negotiation support and other planning services.

Erik Dane, CMP, CTA, is now the Alumni Events Manager at Davenport University. He was previously the Client Services Manager at Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, MI.

Cheryll Decker, CMP, is now Director of Meetings with the International Economic Development Council, Washington, D.C.

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.