I have the privilege of representing the Global community at the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) Board of Directors, being my paid job the Meetings Industry Executive Director in the Mexico Tourism Board; I would like to take this opportunity to make some reflections about the importance of the CMP credential specially out of the US meeting industry landscape.
When I give my business card to someone in my country that is not related to our industry (sometimes even in the industry) he (or she) immediately asks, what are those letters after your last name? aren't you becoming very "American" in your business language?
When I explain them exactly which are the benefits, first, of going through the certification/education process and then to use these letters proudly to connect with players both from the demand and supply side in the Meetings World, then their faces and expressions change.
The Convention Industry Council (CIC) has been doing an extremely good job in making the process, the exam, the study materials and the availability of the credential all the time more global; examples of these steps are the change of US English to International English in all materials; the evolution to a computer-based testing with locations all over the world; the designation of regional CMP representatives in regions such as Latin America, South Africa, Asia-Pacific, North America and Europe; partnership with other official standardization institutions in other countries to apply the best practices; Study Groups, CEU's etc.
However, I think we still have a cultural problem as some of the misperceptions are:
1. That if someone is not pursuing US corporate business meetings then it is not needed to obtain the CMP
2. That all metrics, measurement criteria, logistics and calculations are based only in US parameters.
3. That is very elemental only for entry/level professionals so the experienced industry leaders from other parts of the world think they simply "don't need it" (and of course without their positive influence, it is more difficult to promote it)
4. That the process and exams are very difficult , so if you are not a fluent english speaker it will be almost impossible to obtain the accreditation.
All of these are only pretexts (in my opinion)... going through a certification, education process in your career shows your commitment to the industry you represent, shows that you want to speak the professional language of the most demanding peers, and shows that their is no limit to continuing educating yourself even during your peak years of performance.
And the CMP is, by far , the most horizontal, comprehensive and applicable body of knowledge in this globally competitive Meeting Industry World.
I encourage all of CMP's of the world to become ambassadors of this high-level standard within your circles of influence.
Follow me on Twitter: @echaillo
