Have you noticed industry colleagues with designations and wonder how you could have the same series of letters behind your name?

Well that’s me! Every time I see a new set of letters that I don’t recognize…I go straight to Google to research! I like to know the issuing organization/institution, criteria needed to qualify and if it’s an exam or course. I’ve been looking at the CMP designation since I was a sophomore or junior in college.

I even take it a step further and will for open positions that maybe recommending a candidate to have that particular certification. The last thing we want is to pay for something that isn’t useful in advancing our careers.

Below is a quick list of the more common designations in the meetings industry as well as some not so common but are still relevant to our work.

Certified Meeting Professional (CMP)
Convention Industry Council issues this designation. Applicants must meet the experience AND education to qualify for the exam.

Certified Meeting Professional Healthcare (CMP-HC)
Convention Industry Council issues this new designation as well. Applicants must hold a valid CMP, 36 months of healthcare meeting management experience and 15 hours of healthcare related professional development.

Certified Government Meeting Professional (CGMP)
Society of Government Meeting Professionals issues the CGMP. To qualify for this exam the applicant must be a government planner, hold a contract with the government or a supplier.

Certificate in Meeting Management (CMM)
Meeting Professionals International issues the CMM in partnership with Global Business Travel Association.  Applicants must have a minimum of 7-10 years of professional experience in the meeting and event or business travel industry, minimum of 3-5 years of management experience with two years of profit and loss responsibility and a personal statement and letter of recommendation from professional colleague or supervisor.

Other Meetings Related Certifications:
CAE
CDME
CEM
CIS
CSEP
CTSM
DES
DMCP
HMCC

If you have a designation that I missed, please comment below so I can add it to the list.