Successful Meetings - July 2008 - (Page 34)

Education Roundup > Initial Success doors for writing and speaking within my realm of expertise.” Meetings industry attorney Tyra Hilliard, in Washington DC, jokes that she’ll need a bigger business card after earning her Ph.D., to be officially known as Dr. Tyra Hilliard, Esq., CMP. “Why bother with the ‘letters’? Because it reminds me that I set a learning goal and achieved it,” she says. “Same with the CMP—and I’m sure with the CMM, CAE, CEM, or any of the other certifications.” Earning a designation intended for meeting planners can also be of benefit to suppliers, even though “70 percent to 80 percent” of what a planner does has nothing to do with the facility, Betzig says. Earning a planner designation means meetings industry suppliers understand their clients better. “Most of our clients have no idea what the letters mean. The point is: I do,” says “It’s a sign of personal commitment to professional growth, and it’s a symbol of accomplishment showing those we work with we have successfully garnered our respective designations.” —Gloria Nelson, CSEP lot about other disciplines. This has helped me greatly to understand what they do, and in turn makes my working relationship with them really great.” The designations serve as a sign to others in the industry that a certain level of knowledge has been reached. CERTIFIED CHAOS? The sheer number and variety of certifications has led to some competition, and confusion, over which is the most necessary or beneficial to planners. Betzig says when the CMM debuted in the United States in 1998, she felt pushed to earn it, but says she didn’t because she didn’t feel it applied to her career goals. While the CMP focuses on logistical aspects of planning a meeting, the CMM has a focus on application of the knowledge and the strategic role a meetings manager has to his or her company. “I am a logistical meeting manager. Pat Ahaesy, CMP, CSEP, and partner in corporate event planning company P&V Enterprises in New York City. “By studying for both the CMP and the CSEP, I learned a Top Meetings Industry Certifications CMP – CERTIFIED MEETING PROFESSIONAL The Convention Industry Council awards this designation based on professional experience and a written examination. Considered the foremost certification program of today’s meetings, conventions, and exhibitions industry, the CMP program recognizes individuals who have achieved the industry’s highest standard of professionalism. CMPs must be recertified every five years. To apply: www.conventionindustry.org CMM – CERTIFICATION IN MEETING MANAGEMENT hands-on, interactive setting. CMM candidates take part in an intensive fourstep process that includes pre-residency, residency, examination, and post-residency components. Pre-residency involves active participation in an MPI learning group using online technology and a variety of reading assignments; residency includes a four-and-a-half-day full-immersion course and examination; and finally, there is a post-residency business project. To apply: www.mpiweb.org CAE – CERTIFIED ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVE a written test and 75 hours of broadbased qualifying professional development within the past five years. To apply: www.asaecenter.org CEM – CERTIFIED EXPOSITION MANAGER This designation offered by Meeting Professionals International began in Europe. As the first university codeveloped professional designation (with the School of Hospitality Business at Michigan State University), the program blends a traditional educational framework with a The American Society of Association Executives awards this certification to designate association professionals who demonstrate the knowledge essential to the practice of association management. The program, founded in 1960, comprises The International Association of Exhibitions & Events offers the designation to those who complete a nine-part program within three years. The program is composed of seven mandatory courses and two courses chosen from five available electives. Advanced-level courses are also available for CEMs to continue their professional education and obtain recertification. To apply: www.iaee.com CITE – CERTIFIED INCENTIVE TRAVEL EXECUTIVE The Society of Incentive & Travel Execu- 34 mimegasite.com JULY 2008 SUCCESSFUL MEETINGS http://www.asaecenter.org http://www.conventionindustry.org http://www.mpiweb.org http://www.iaee.com http://mimegasite.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Successful Meetings - July 2008

Successful Meetings - July 2008 Contents Editor's Note Industry Trends Suppliers Newsmakers On the Record Technology Newsmakers Calendar Planner Spotlight Management Matters Meetings Law Websites of the Month Mouth for Sale Pre-Event On Site Tools of the Trade Pre-Event Initial Success Strong Medicine Risky Business Places & Spaces Birmingham Kentucky Georgia & the Carolinas Hong Kong Melbourne Gurus

Successful Meetings - July 2008

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