Certifications Corner

Each month, the Certifications & Career Development Committee will explore a different meeting-industry certification, and we will talk to an MPI Potomac member who holds it.

Why did you decide to get your CMP? 
I knew that after spending several years in the meeting planning business, this was the next step to furthering my education within my chosen profession. After taking the CMP, it was clear I made the right choice because of the vast knowledge I was able to take in.
 
What did you do to prepare for the exam?
In addition to taking the CMP prep course through my local MPI chapter, I knew I'd have to change my large social life.

I studied a few hours each day for a few months and really focused on working the course the way it's designed. There were three other students in my class and only the two of us who passed came prepared every week.
 
How have you leveraged your CMP to help you in your career?
I know that if I didn't have a CMP, I might not have been considered for my current position. It really gives you a leg up on the competition, especially when your supervisor realizes the value in it because s/he has theirs as well.
 
Could you share one new skill, formula or concept you learned while preparing for the exam that has been useful in the meetings industry? 
My favorite thing that I learned was two formulas: One was the room sets and how many people can fit into a square footage space. This is super helpful because, unfortunately, there are a lot of hotel diagrams that are not correct. The other formula is how much F&B I should order based on various factors, such as gender and time of day. This is great for new groups when you don't have their history and patterns set.
 
Interested in obtaining your CMP? Learn more about the CMP and the MPI Potomac CMP Prep Course.