Planned changes to the Certificate in Meeting Management program, which is provided by Meeting Professionals International (MPI), concerned CMM holders enough to start an online petition opposing the changes.
In December 2013, MPI and Global Business Travel Association stated they intended to offer a revised, joint program still called “CMM” but reduces the experiential requirement from 10 to five years and eliminates the acronym, making CMM a “standalone trademark.” Many CMM holders declared the changes devalued the credential.
After six weeks of listening to constructive feedback, according to MPI President and CEO Paul Van Deventer, the industry association reached a decision regarding the program.
“After aggregating, analyzing and synthesizing your feedback, we found a number of consistent recommendations, which if implemented, would strengthen the CMM program going forward. After reviewing the recommended changes with our partner, GBTA, together, we have agreed to revise the CMM program,” said Van Deventer.
Branding
The program will retain the Certificate in Meeting Management name and may also be referenced by the CMM acronym.
Eligibility
The criteria for participation in the CMM program have been revised as follows to better align with the Meeting and Business Event Competency Standards (MBECS). Each candidate will be evaluated through a comprehensive application process with documented panel review against the following criteria.
- Minimum of seven – 10 years of professional experience in the meeting and event or business travel industry
- Minimum of three – five years of management experience with two years of profit and loss responsibility
- Personal statement and letter of recommendation from professional colleague or supervisor
Assessment
Each future CMM Program participant will be required to develop a business case in which they must apply the course materials learned. The business case should reflect real situations, address current challenges that need to be resolved and be actionable – meaning the participant must have responsibility and influence over the challenges’ outcome. Each participant’s business case will be evaluated and scored against a pre-established standard of performance or rubric by CMM Program faculty.
Designation
Professionals who achieved the Certificate in Meeting Management from MPI prior to 2014 will retain the CMM designation, which is now supported by both MPI and GBTA. GBTA will communicate directly to individuals that achieved the comparable GBTA certificate regarding parameters for using the CMM designation.
MPI will also reissue new certificates to existing CMM designees with the correct Certificate in Meeting Management branding. More details will be shared in the near future about how and when the new certificates will be provided.
See related article: “CMM holders oppose MPI imposed program changes.”
