Meeting Planner Careers

What do those acroynms mean? The meeting and event industry has at least four certifications for corporate planners, and many more for the suppliers and vendors who serve them. Here's a glossary of the acronyms you'll find trailing behind the names of  the industry's most dedicated and accomplished professionals.

CMP. The Convention Industry Council's Certified Meeting Professional designation is the most widely recognized in the industry. Started in 1985, meeting professionals — planners and suppliers — who have earned the CMP credential now number 11,269 in 27 countries. Candidates must have three years' experience and a full-time job in the industry; accrue a minimum number of points based on the scope of their responsibilities, education, professional contributions, and so on; and pass a written exam.

CMM. For meeting professionals — planners and suppliers — with at least 10 years' experience, Meeting Professionals International offers a Global Certification for Meeting Management program, focusing on strategic issues and executive decision making. Applicants must be accepted into the program and attend a five-day residency, after which they take an online exam and write a strategic business plan for either a new venture or their department. Now in its eighth year, the program has conferred 373 CMM certifications.

CITE. The Society of Incentive & Travel Executives launched its Certified Incentive Travel Executive certification program in 1980 to recognize high achievement in the field. Opened to non-SITE members in 2005, the designation requires incentive professionals to have a certain level of experience and involvement with SITE, work with a SITE member mentor, pass a three-hour written exam, and write a 3,000-word research paper.

CSEP. The International Special Events Society established the Certified Special Event Professional designation in 1983 to recognize competence and experience in the special event field. The requirements include an exam and portfolio review. Twice yearly exam dates coincide with the Special Event Show and ISES EventWorld.

DMCP. The Destination Management Certified Professional designation, established in 2001 by the Association of Destination Management Executives, is awarded to those who demonstrate expertise, experience, and ethical awareness in destination management. The first exams were held in 2002, and now 94 certified DMCPs are on the books; all but two are from the United States.

CDME. The Destination Marketing Association International, in conjunction with Purdue University, has a program in which convention bureau executives earn a CDME designation — Certified Destination Management Executive.

Sources: http://meetingsnet.com/,  Convention Industry Council,www.conventionindustry.org; Meeting Professionals International,www.mpiweb.org; Society of Incentive & Travel Executives,www.site-intl.org; International Special Events Society,www.ises.com; Association of Destination Management Executives,www.adme.org; Hotel Sales and Marketing Association International,www.hsmai.org; Destination Marketing Association International,www.destinationmarketing.org; American Hotel and Lodging Association,www.ahla.com; Merriam-Webster Online,www.m-w.com

You can study online to get your event planner certification, there are courses for event planning and wedding planning. In addition you’ll find career information on becoming a certified corporate meeting planner.

Corporate meeting and event planning is an in-demand profession. Learn what it takes to succeed in this exciting and lucrative career path, or take another path and become a bridal consultant.

Whatever path you choose, here are a few (not all) of the certification programs that are available:

Certified Event Professional (CEP)

US Event Guide’s CEP is one of the few certifications you can pursue without having any prior experience in the event or meeting industry. This Certification Program is your chance to learn about this lucrative field and how to begin your new career within a few months.

Certified Meeting Professional (CMP)

The CMP is perhaps one of the most recognized certifications in the event and meeting planning industry. If you plan on a lifelong career in event planning, this certification is an added bonus. Candidates must have three years’ experience and a full-time job in the industry in order to apply for the program.

Certified Special Events Professional

The CSEP designation is the hallmark of professional achievement in the special events industry. It is earned through education, performance, experience, and service to the industry, and reflects a commitment to professional conduct and ethics. Just as with the CMP, candidates must have three years’ of experience in the special events industry and be currently employed (or employed within the last twelve months) in a special events job.

Certified International Meeting Professionals Association
CIMPA offers three certifications; as with the others, there is a minimum of 2–5 years of experience in the field (depending on which certification you are interested in) or a minimum of 3-5 years of volunteering with events.

• CPPM – Certified Planner of Professional Meetings
• CGMP – Certified Global Meeting Professional
• CIMP – Certified Internet Meeting Professional