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CIC at IMEX America 2014

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IMEX America, the global trade show for international meetings, incentive travel and events industry, now in its fourth year, is fast becoming known as "the trade show with a difference." CIC usually sponsors and hosts the Inspiration Center at IMEX, but this year, CIC had the opportunity to host its own booth and showcase CIC projects and collaborations. CIC staff led campfire education sessions on: the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) program, the CMP Healthcare Subspecialty (CMP-HC), the Meetings Industry Advocacy Hub and APEX's Room Block Poaching Workgroup research. 

For the first time, CIC participated in the Hosted Buyer program, with 15 CMPs from across the country joining us as hosted buyers. As a hosted buyer, the attendee gets their flight and room paid for, with the agreement to attend at least eight individual appointments a day as well as pre-assigned appointments that they are required to attend with other members of their hosted group. So what is the Hosted Buyer experience like? Here is our interview with Cori Dossett, CEM, CMP, President Conferences Designed, LLC and Hosted Buyer through Hilton out of Dallas, Texas: 

Q: Is this your first time at IMEX America and what has been the best part? 

CD: This is my first year at IMEX America and it’s not just about getting to reconnect with my American contacts, but the international component is really invaluable. I don’t have the resources to travel all over the world – yet maybe in three years I may have a meeting in Singapore or Tokyo, and I will know who to call directly. 

CD: I was worried about the 30 minute appointments being held back to back as I have heard how IMEX is so big, but it really wasn’t that hard to get around and it worked out well. 

Q: What are your "go-to tools" to do your job?

CD: When I first started in the industry, I had a contact at a CVB, and I noticed all her friends were in the industry, and at the time 10 years ago, I had pockets of friends, from college or home or other connections that I kept in little bubbles, and I realized she was way ahead of me. My favorite tool now is my relationships, and calling on someone I met three or four years ago. 

Q: What do you think is the most challenging part of the industry right now? 

CD: New business is always at the forefront of my mind and free WiFi! Negotiating contracts isn’t necessarily the hardest, but it’s getting the concessions that we need, I feel that right now it’s really a hotelier’s market. 

Q: What advice would you give to someone starting out in the industry?

CD: Take the time to cultivate relationships and really find a niche in the market, ask questions, join a planning committee and commit to advocacy.

Q: What’s your favorite destination to plan a meeting?

CD: Well, that is tough as there are so many, but I would say San Diego or New Orleans, particularly for the southern food! 

CIC also hosted a CMP Cocktail Hour where we had the opportunity to meet, mingle and network with CMPs attending IMEX. At that event, we also gave away one all-expense paid trip to the 2015 CMP Conclave in Reno, Nev., on Sept. 27-29, 2015 to Amanda Cecil, Ph.D.,CMP, Associate Professor & Program Director, School of Physical Education and Tourism Management at Indiana University. Congratulations, Amanda!
 

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The Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) is a
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