MSAE Certified Meeting Professional Preparation Course
1st Quarter Exam - January, 2014 

 

What is the CMP?
The Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation recognizes individuals who have achieved the industry's highest standard of professionalism. Established in 1985, the CMP program was developed to increase the proficiency of meeting professionals in all segments of the industry. The requirements for certification are based on a minimum of three years of professional meeting management experience or two years of experience if you have a degree in meeting, event, exhibition, or hospitality/tourism management. Completion and passing of an academic examination is also required. 

In the past, CMP applicants’ experience has ranged from 3 years to over 35 years. The fact that a significant number of “senior planners” seek out the CMP designation is a testament to its value regardless of experience.

About the CMP Preparation Course
The MSAE Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) Preparation Course is an in-depth learning experience that will enhance your preparation for the CMP Examination. The MSAE course outline aligns with the most current CMP Blueprint developed by the Convention Industry Council (CIC). In the past two years, MSAE's course has gone through some significant curriculum changes. Changes have been made to accommodate feedback by past individuals who have sat for the CMP exam. MSAE's CMP Preparation Course addresses topics presented on the rigorous CMP Examination through a 6 month interactive course. Features include:

• Free orientation to help you through the application process
• Comprehensive curriculum outline to guide participants through the course material
• Specific and relevant reading assignments from each of the three recommended texts: CIC Manual, Eighth Edition; CIC International Manual, First Edition; and PCMA's Professional Meeting Management, Fifth Edition - a leading educational text for meetings professionals
• Online quiz questions with immediate results to test reading comprehension
• 2 mini-reviews throughout the course that replicate the actual CMP Examination
• 1 timed practice exam at the end of course that replicates the actual CMP Examination in terms of length and number of test items
• CMP Advisory Council members facilitate and give expert tips on studying and preparing for exam day
• CMP mentor program
• Hours of CEUs to count towards application
• APEX terminology reviews

This learning experience and certification will build knowledge, skills and confidence. If you are involved in the meetings industry, you need this designation. It is the most versatile certification because it is applicable for meeting professionals within the sectors of association/not for profit, facilities, convention and visitors bureaus and corporate.

Study sessions are led by members of the MSAE CMP Advisory Council. The study sessions enable groups of people to communicate, educate, motivate, establish a vision, make decisions, promote, network and socialize. MSAE takes great pride upon planned, highly promoted, and competently managed study sessions.

This six-month (13 sessions) course will provide participants with information that is consistent with the CMP International Standards (CMP-IS) knowledge base categorized into tendomains. The ten domains identify major content areas that compose the examination. Click here to view the CMP-IS.

Prep Course Locations
Classes are from 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. The location will be determined by the number of individuals from each regional area registered for the prep course. There must be 8 individuals registered from a specific regional area to sustain a study group.

MSAE Fees
MSAE Member: $350
Non-Member: $450
Fee includes 13 three-hour study sessions facilitated by Certified Meeting Professionals, comprehensive study materials, and CMP mentoring.

Additional Fees and Dates to Remember
Application Deadline for the 2014 First Quarter Examination: TBA
Application Fee: $225 (payable to the Convention Industry Council)
*The CMP application is available online www.conventionindustry.org
 
Exam Registration Deadline for the 2014 First Quarter Examination: TBA
Exam Registration Fee: $450 (payable to the Convention Industry Council)

Recommended Study Materials
CIC Manual 8th Edition ($65.95 USD)
CIC International Manual ($79.95 USD) 
APEX Glossary ($35.00 USD) 
Professional Meeting Management 5th Edition ($79.95 USD)
These items can be purchased directly from the Convention Industry Council and the Professional Convention Management Association. Prices are tentative and subject to change.

For more information about the MSAE CMP Preparation Course and the CMP Examination, please contact Jessica Louttit.