6/29/06

The Application

I did it! I have my CMP application from the Convention Industry Council!

The Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation is a HUGE deal for me, for my career, and for the industry. It was established in 1985 to raise industry standards and identify the body of knowledge needed in the industry to maximize the value of the services provided by meeting planners. Having those 3 letters at the end of your name signifies you as a professional with the highest standards in the industry. There are thousands of CMPs throughout the world now but achieving the level of CMP is still a feat to be proud of. And so on the path to CMP I embark!!!

Friends and family members of mine who are in the indsutry have recently gone through the process and so I do feel prepared to start my own journey. I know that ahead of me I have hours of studying, dozens of practice tests, and late nights spent awake with nightmares about the test. There are 3 books to absorb facts from and hundreds of flashcards to write and learn. And at the end of all the studying, there is a 3 hours test to take followed by 6-8 weeks of waiting for that envelope in the mail. No stress really! :)

The next step is filling out the final application. I have filled out a few practice applications so that I am ready with all my information. The essay has me stumped. Its an important part of the application yet the question is so simple: Why do you want to be a CMP? Simple questions are sometimes the hardest ones to answer in a simple essay.

Taking this step in my career is a turning point for me; from just a job to a career. Its so exciting!

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Woo Hoo! I am SO proud of you!!!! I'm happy to help you study if you'd like, or just listen to you b*tch about the craziness...Lord knows you listened ot me enough :) Oh and the essay, no worries. I can show you what I wrote. Basically just shows that you understand why the CMP is valuable and you want to further your career. YAY YOU!

Anonymous said...

That is awesome, my friend! Can't wait to hear how it turns out.