So that it's more accessible to meeting planners around the world, the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) exam will transition from a paper- to a computer-based format beginning in July 2012, the Convention Industry Council (CIC) announced last week.
According to the CIC, which administers the exam, the electronic advancement coincides with the regular update of the CMP exam, as well as the introduction of the CMP International Standards. Announced this fall, those standards will define and categorize the key competencies, skills and abilities that meeting professionals must demonstrate in order to receive the CMP certification, encompassing for the first time "internationally relevant best practices" in order to appeal to a more global audience of meeting professionals.
"Moving the CMP exam to a computer-based platform enhances efficiency and convenience for the test taker, but above all else, will propel the global meeting industry forward," said CIC CEO Karen Kotowski. "More professionals in more countries will have access to an updated exam that has a stronger, internationally relevant body of knowledge. We anticipate the number of certified meeting professionals, worldwide, to increase dramatically over the next several years."
The paper version of the CMP exam was previously available in Japan, Germany, Korea, Singapore, South Africa and other select countries. Computerization, however, will make it available worldwide: In partnership with CIC's vendor, test development company Prometric, CMP exams scheduled from July 12 – July 21, 2012, and Nov. 1 – 12, 2012, will be administered at more than 450 computer-based testing facilities in 166 countries.
According to the CIC, the CMP credential increases the proficiency of meeting professionals by:
• Identifying a body of knowledge;
• Establishing a level of knowledge and performance necessary for certification;
• Stimulating the advancement of the art and science of meeting management;
• Increasing the value of practitioners to their employers;
• Recognizing and raising industry standards, practices and ethics; and
• Maximizing the value received from the products and services provided by Certified Meeting Professionals.
To date, more than 14,000 individuals in 36 countries and territories have earned the CMP designation, which was established in 1985. For more information, visit www.conventionindustry.org.