1. OBTAINING YOUR CMP CERTIFICATION CMP Best Practices and Tips

2. WHAT IS THE CMP? The Convention Industry Council (CIC) launched the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP)® program in 1985. The CMP designation represents the standard of excellence in today's meetings, conventions and exhibitions industry.

3. The CMP credential is recognized globally as the badge of excellence. More than 10,000 meeting professionals in 46 countries around the globe hold the CMP designation. CMP community represents every sector of the industry—from corporations and associations to government and institutional organizations. INTERNATIONAL CERTIFICATION

4. WHY HAVE A CERTIFICATION? Promote the status and credibility of the meeting management profession Enhance the knowledge and performance of meeting managers Advance a uniform industry standards, practice and ethics

5. WHAT QUALIFICATIONS ARE NEEDED FOR THE CMP? Qualifications for certification are based on a combination of your: Professional experience Education CMP Exam Results

6. HOW DO I KNOW IF I QUALIFY? First: Step: Review the CMP Handbook GuidelinesCMP Handbook Second Step: Fill out the 3 sections on the application Application includes: Section 1: Professional Experience Section 2: Internship or Continuing Education Section 3: Agreement and Payment

7. SECTION 1: PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Option 1: Professional Experience Currently or recently employed in the industry (within the previous twelve (12) months) with a minimum of 36 months qualifying full-time work experience. Option 2: Professional and Education Experience Minimum of 24 months qualifying full-time work experience AND holds a bachelor’s degree or international equivalent in meeting, event, exhibition, and hospitality/tourism management. Option 3: Professional Experience in Academia Currently a full-time instructor of meeting, event, exhibition or hospitality/tourism management an educational institution or university program with 36 months of full-time experience in academia.

8. SECTION 2: CONTINUING EDUCATION Option 1: Industry Internship-200 hours Option 2: Continuing Education -25 hours Completion of 25 clock hours of industry-related continuing education within the past five years. In order to receive credit for continuing education, courses must relate to one of the domain areas of the CMP International Standards (CMP-IS). The CMP-IS is the body of knowledge for the Certified Meeting Professional program and examination.

9. SECTION 3: AGREEMENT AND PAYMENT Non refundable application Fee is $250 Current Application Submission Period : May 14-July 31, 2014 Application Approval By: August 15, 2014

10. ONCE APPROVED FOR CMP EXAM-THEN WHAT? You can register for the exam. Candidates have one year upon approval of their application in which to take and pass the exam. Exams offered typically 4 times within that year—November, January, May and August Next Exam: November 6-15, 2014 Exam Fee is $450

11. WHAT STUDY MATERIALS DO I NEED? 1.CIC Manual 9th Edition* Hard copy: $99.95 USD (also available in e-book ) 2. APEX Glossary ($35.00 USD) 3. Professional Meeting Management 5th Edition ($79.95 USD) * In April 2014, CIC released the 9th Edition of the CIC Manual—which includes international information. If using an the 8 th Edition of the CIC manual, make sure to add the International Manual to your studies.

12. SHOULD I JOIN A STUDY GROUP? This is a personal decision and depends on how you best prepare for exams and your ability to best manage your time. Study Group Options: In Person? Tallahassee Society of Association Executives (Spring) Local Meeting Planner International (MPI) Chapters Online? PCMA Online Prep Course - CIC Endorsed Study Course

13. Strategic Event Planning Process Project Management Risk Management Financial and Contract Management Human Resources Stakeholder Management Meeting or Event Design Site Management Marketing Professionalism WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW FOR THE EXAM?

14. MY TIPS FOR PREPARING FOR THE EXAM Read CIC manual cover to cover Take good notes Understand key terms Flash cards (there’s an app for that!)

15. PRACTICE EXAMS Benefit of a study group is that you usually have access to several practice tests during your studies. Practice tests give you a good idea of what the exam will look like, how the questions will be phrased, etc. Whether in a study group or not, I recommend at least taking the official online practice test about 24 hours before test. Material provided by CIC but offered by the Prometrics Testing Center Only 27 questions Cost is $ 25.95

16. FORMAT OF THE CMP EXAM? Computer Based 165 Multiple Choice Questions (3 hours) Computers have calculators you can use on them You are provided 2 sheets of paper to use for notes.

17. PROMETRIC TESTING CENTERS Benefits: You have a two week window to set your date & time for exam (morning or afternoon options) Clean, quiet, professional centers Get immediate electronic results (takes up to 8 weeks to get final results from CIC)

18. PROMETRIC TESTING CENTERS CONS: Not ensured to have anyone else in there at that time taking the test. Very tight security—is a little off-putting if you are not expecting it. Prometric Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIfaluKa80s http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIfaluKa80s

19. Enjoy the process and best of luck! Letreze Gooding, CMP Director of Education & Events Florida Association of Counties (850) 922-4300 lgooding@fl-counties.com FINAL ADVICE