Earning a professional industry certification can bring recognition of attaining the highest standard of professionalism in the industry. FICP is committed to helping our planner members in the process of attaining credentials. A list of resources for some of the many certifications and educational opportunities for professional development are listed below:
Effective January 2012, the CMP program has been updated to the CMP International Standards (CMP-IS) program. Click here for a list of frequently asked questions regarding this update. Additionally, later in 2012, the exam will move to an entirely computer-based system. Learn more here.
Through the CMP-IS program, individuals who are employed in meeting management pursue continuing education, increase their industry involvement and gain industry-wide recognition. In addition, the CMP-IS includes internationally relevant best practices and provides a greater level of detail when describing and categorizing industry knowledge, ability and skills. The requirements for certification are based on professional experience and a written examination. Over 14,000 individuals in 36 countries and territories have earned the CMP designation since its inception.
Visit the Convention Industry Council (CIC) Web site for the latest information in CMP-IS requirements and testing. Here you can apply for the designation, and pay via credit card on the secure site. Visit the CMP-IS Application Help Center, and view exam dates.
The mission of the Certification in Meeting Management (CMM) program is to select, educate, and certify management-level meeting and event professionals. The focus of the certification is to provide continuing educational enhancements to the strategic decision-making ability of these leaders to manage and deliver exceptional meetings and events that drive organizational success. Visit the Meeting Professionals International Web site for more information about obtaining this certification.
Established in 1993, the Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP) designation recognizes event professionals who have successfully demonstrated the knowledge, skills and ability essential to perform all components of a special event. For more information about the CSEP program, visit the International Special Events Society Web site.
The Certified Diversity Meeting Professional designation was created to meet the needs of industry professionals who work and do business with people all over the world. Becoming culturally aware means understanding your customer based on a specific knowledge of a person’s country of origin, cultural nuances and among other traits such as gender, educational level, etc. Click here for more information.
For students and career professionals, The MPI Global Training Practice offers a clear learning path that speeds the time required to move from one career stage to another and one skill set to the next. Global knowledge transfer not only ensures that your learning meets global standards through certificates and certifications recognized worldwide (CMP and CMM), but also helps prepare you for the examinations required to achieve these career milestones. Advanced learning also positively impacts compensation and rewards. Click here for more information about MPI Global Training programs.
Participation in the CEM Learning Program offers exhibition professionals an unparalleled opportunity to secure the most relevant and practical education available in exhibition management. The benefits of this education in the day to day operations of a successful exhibition manager are immediately apparent. In addition to the acquisition of practical knowledge, individuals learn to acquire and maintain a competitive edge, stay abreast in a rapidly changing industry, and respond better to customer needs. Click here for more information about this certification.
Certified Manager of Exhibits™ (CME®) is an association-sponsored and administered certification program recognizing professionalism in exhibit and event management and marketing. Members of the Trade Show Exhibitors Association (TSEA) created the CME® program, to help individuals earn valuable industry recognition and advance their careers. TSEA members continually monitor the CME® certification program to ensure it meets the demands, challenges and needs of the trade show industry. For more information, click here.
CTSM is the only university-affiliated professional certification program in the exhibit marketing industry. First and foremost the CTSM program trains candidates in trade show and event marketing. Visit the Exhibitor Online Web site for more information.
The purpose of the DMCP® program is to increase the professionalism within the destination management industry by establishing a level of knowledge and performance necessary for certification; identifying the body of knowledge required; stimulating the art and science of destination management, increasing the value of practitioners to their employers; recognizing and raising industry standards and practices and thereby, ethics; and maximizing the value of the products and services that certified destination management professionals can provide. To learn more about the Destination Management Certified Professional program, click here.
Global Leadership Professional
The Global Leadership Professional (GLP) program is a master's level executive education program developed by the GBTA Foundation in conjunction with The Wharton School. It is the only master's level accredited course offered within the business travel industry, and is designed to build upon GBTA's Certified Corporate Travel Executive (CCTE) program. Learn more about the GLP program.