Certified Meeting Professional

There has never been a better time to invest in your professional meeting career!

CMP A CMP certification is a professional investment that pays real dividends -- one that will help you grow your network, increase your earning potential and stay on track to meet your professional meeting career goals, especially in this uncertain economy. No other certification can push your career to that next level as effectively, and MPI-NENY administers a study group with a 100% pass rate on the CMP exam! How can you beat that?

What is a CMP?

The CMP (Certified Meeting Professional) is an internationally recognized certification program that evaluates the competency of meeting professionals. The CMP designation represents the standard of excellence in today’s meeting and exposition industry. Requirements for certification are based on professional experience and academic examination. The CMP Examination is a tool for measuring the competency of a meeting professional and is designed to reflect the knowledge required to manage meetings.

The CMP Program:
•    Promotes the status and credibility of the meeting profession
•    Advances uniform standard of practice
•    Promotes continuing professional development

Also see the FAQ's section of this website for additional information

Why become a CMP?

Recognition: As the premier industry certification, the CMP distinguishes holders as career professionals who have demonstrated a high level of experience, skill and knowledge.

Competitive Advantage: The designation conveys credibility to a meeting professionals opinions and ideas, both at work and in the greater meetings, conventions and exhibitions industry.

Peer Acceptance: CMPs are immediately recognized by other CMPs as fellow professionals committed to the advancement of the profession.

Salary Enhancement: CMPs can use the certification as a competitive advantage when it comes to negotiating salaries and other business.

Personal Achievement: After passing a rigorous application and examination process, CMPs express a profound sense of personal achievement at finally being regarded as the exceptionally skilled professional they are.

Commitment: Successful completion of the certification process conveys that the certified meeting professional is committed and goal driven in their career.

Since the first exams were administered in 1985, over 14,000 meeting managers have received their certification. Since the Northeastern New York Chapter started its study group in 2005, 31 people (and counting!) have passed the exam and joined those ranks. We are proud to boast a 100% success ratio for individuals that have participated in our chapter’s study groups.

What are the requirements for becoming a CMP?

The certification program is a three-step process:

1) Minimum 3 years work experience in the industry

Applicants with a degree in meeting, event, exhibition, or hospitality/tourism management may apply after two years of work experience

Full-time instructors who have taught for three years in a meeting/hospitality/tourism management may apply after two years of work experience, AND completion of twenty-five hours of continuing education, OR completion of an approved internship/apprenticeship in the industry

2) Completion of 25 hours of continuing education

Completion of approved internship/apprenticeship in the industry

3) Pass the CMP Exam

How Do I Apply?

Next Exam: January 8, 2011
Application Deadline: August 10, 2010
Exam Registration Deadline: October 20, 2010

CMP Scholarship

MPI Northeastern New York offers a scholarship to members interested in persuing their CMP designation. Click here for more information.

Online Study Guide

MPI International offers an Online Study Guide to assist you in preparing for the exam. Click here for more information.

MPI-NENY CMP Study Group

What is it?

The CMP Study Group is an interactive coaching session. Approaching the exam “cold” may be quite intimidating, as most of us haven’t taken a standardized test since the SATs. The Study Group will lead you through some test taking strategies and review key test subjects that you might not be as familiar with such as adult education, reservations & housing, trade shows, speaker selection, and printed material production.

Study Group Schedule

MPI-NENY’s study group series are held twice per year to coordinate with the summer and winter exams administered by the Convention Industry Council. Study groups for the January 2011 exam will begin in October/November. Click here for a sample schedule (from the most recent study group series).

Study Group Format

For each of the seven content sessions, you will have chapters assigned to read. These chapters are from the recommended study books and can be purchased online. The final session is solely for the purpose of review, and is scheduled in the week prior to the exam.

Study Group Attendance

MPI-NENY members may participate in as many study group series as needed to prepare for the exam.

Study Group Fee

CMP Study Groups are a benefit of your membership with the Northeastern New York Chapter of MPI. If you are not a member, but there is an active member already in your organization, you may participate in the study groups for a fee of $200 per series.

How Do I Join MPI-NENY’s Study Group?

Contact our chapter CMP Co-Chair
Phyllis Secor, CMP at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Click here to subscribe to information about MPI NENY's CMP Study Groups.

Look Who We’ve Assisted in their CMP Pursuit!

Passed Exam February 2009:

Addie Waldie, CMP

Passed Exam August 2008:

Chris Nagelsmith, CMP – NYS Association of School Business Officials
Kim Partridge, CMP – Public Employees Federation
Jennifer Rexius, CMP – Albany Marriott

Passed Exam February 2008:

Vanessa LaClair, CMP - Independent Power Producers of New York, Inc.
Terri Murphy, CMP - NYS Credit Union League
Pamela O'Connor, CMP - NYS Credit Union League Inc.
Linda Persico, CMP - The Conference Center Niagara Falls
Phyllis Secor, CMP - NYS Funeral Directors Association

Passed Exam July 2007:

Cathleen McConney, CMP - NYS Office of the State Comptroller
Stephen Schifley, CMP - Albany Marriott

Passed Exam January 2007:

Rachel Alcaro, CMP - Syracuse CVB
Robin Blaauboer, CMP - MapInfo Corporation
Arlene Day, CMP - Lake Placid Essex County CVB
Donna Gerard, CMP - NYS Department of Health
Michelle Scott, CMP - Gatherings by Design

Passed Exam July 2006:

Lois DiStefano, CMP - Kutschers Country Club
Lisa Kiehn, CMP - Keystone Event Group
Megan Kiessling, CMP - Site Solutions Worldwide

Passed Exam January 2006:

Jackie Capone, CMP - State Farm
Roberta Daab, CMP - Fort William Henry Resort & Conference Center

Passed Exam July 2005:

Christine Cunningham, CMP - Williams Inn
Tana Fileccia-Flagg, CMP - NYS Office of Children & Family Services
Carrie Hillenbrandt, CMP - BBL Development Group
Eric Rottingen, CMP - The Sagamore
Mike Snyder, CMP - Empire State Plaza Convention Center
Cindy Sullivan, CMP - The Saratoga Hotel & Conference Center
Sam Toscano, CMP - Oncenter Complex
Bevin Tracy, CMP - NYS Nurses Association
Karen Tucker, CMP - American College of Physicians
Dory Van Norden, CMP - NYS Association for the Education of Young Children

Meeting Professionals International, Northeastern New York Chapter