Successful Meetings - July 2008 - (Page 35)

Head of the Class While I consult and can work with clients to improve their attendance, their bottom line, their ROI, and the execution of their meetings, I am not very strategic—and I’m okay with that,” she says. “Where would we be without those of us who are good at the logistics?” The certifications can also give an insight into the popular“Most of our clients have no idea ity and maturity of the industry what the letters mean. The point is: itself. When Kevin R. Johnston, I do.” —Pat Ahaesy, CMP, CSEP CEO of Atlanta-based Advantage Event Group, sat for the CMP exam in 1990, “there their company or organization,” Johnston were not many of us around,” he says. says. “At the time, the term ‘meeting planner’ Now that industry designations abound, had not become a recognized job title by the having a designation in your title or having Department of Labor, and many of those in multiple designations has become commonthe profession had not aspired to be [planplace. “A few days in class, and a checkners], but had grown into the position within book, seem to be the first two prerequisites,” he says. “But for the many who have worked for years and achieved the right, myself being one of these, they wear their certification/designation with pride and with respect for the others that also share their passion,” Johnston continues. The CIC reports that more than 13,000 individuals in 35 countries and territories have earned the CMP designation. Harvey Paul Davidson, of Westfield, NJ, a member of the inaugural CMP class of 1985 and a “CMP Emeritus,” took the exam for many of the same reasons planners continue to seek out certifications and designations today. “I was aware the body of knowledge was greater than I knew then and it would be necessary to learn more about other aspects of meeting planning if I was to continue to be successful and advance. I felt assured in what I was doing, and passing the exam would help prove that point and it would indicate to the suppliers I was doing business with that my meeting requirements and negotiations would be based on established standards,” he writes on the CIC website. mimegasite.com Check out these other certifications available for those in the meetings industry: American Hotel and Lodging Association (www.ahla.com) Certified Hospitality Sales Professional (CHSP) Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA) Certified Hospitality Supervisor (CHS) Certified Lodging Manager (CLM) Certified Food and Beverage Executive (CFBE) Master Hotel Supplier (MHS) Association of Destination Management Executives (www.adme.org) Destination Management Certified Professional (DMCP) Accredited Destination Management Company (ADMC) Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (www.hsmai.org) tives awards this designation to those who demonstrate their extensive knowledge of the industry and achieve its highest standard of excellence. To be approved, applicants must complete six steps within a year, including a threehour exam, an original research paper, and earning 100 qualifying experience points. To apply: www.site-intl.org CSEP – CERTIFIED SPECIAL EVENTS PROFESSIONAL Certified in Hospitality Sales Competencies (CHSC) Certified Hospitality Marketing Executive (CHME) National Association of Catering Executives (www.nace.net) Certified Professional Catering Executive (CPCE) National Speakers Association (www.nsaspeaker.org) The International Special Events Society awards this based on education, performance, experience, and service to the industry. It reflects a commitment to professional conduct and ethics. To earn the designation, applicants must pass a written examination and earn 35 professional industry points. To apply: www.ises.com —CD Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) PMPN Meetings With Impact (www.pmpn.com) Certified Medical Meeting Manager (CMMM) Trade Show Exhibitors Association (www.tsea.org) Certified Manager of Exhibits (CME) SUCCESSFUL MEETINGS JULY 2008 http://www.ahla.com http://www.adme.org http://www.hsmai.org http://www.nace.net http://www.site-intl.org http://www.nsaspeaker.org http://www.pmpn.com http://www.tsea.org http://www.ises.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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