Convention Industry Council Survey Justifies The CMP

<B>Convention Industry Council Survey Justifies The CMP</B>

By Chris Davis

Meeting buyers and suppliers who have earned the Certified Meeting Professional designation believe it bolsters their image in their organizations--and the industry--but that does not automatically result in higher pay, according to a survey taken by the Convention Industry Council.

The poll, taken in June by McLean, Va.-based CIC, which administers the CMP designation, was completed by 980 CMP holders and may affect the CIC's recertification procedures, said president Garis Distelhorst.

Of the respondents, about 70 percent and 55 percent, respectively, said that earning the designation improved their images outside and inside their organizations. About 20 percent said the CMP "opened the door for advancement;" 16 percent said it increased their salaries; and 11 percent said their job titles were changed as a result.

While the salary figure could be considered low at first glance, Distelhorst noted a survey question regarding the recipients' motivations for taking the CMP exam. Less than 2 percent did so to increase their salaries, while 42 percent did so for self-achievement. "It wasn't a major reason people sat for the exam but, in some cases, they did see salary increases," Distelhorst said.

The poll also addressed CMP recertification, a touchy issue within the industry among those who question both the CIC's vigilance in locating those improperly using the designation and the requirements for recertification, which occurs every five years.

The majority of those surveyed, about 77 percent, felt work experience should be the most important part of the recertification process, followed by continuing education, professional contributions and industry association membership. Distelhorst said the CIC will take those results into consideration during the next review of recertification procedures in 2001, as the current requirements emphasize professional contribution. "Now there is a heavy emphasis on industry membership and professional contribution and less on doing the job and doing it well," he said. "We'll take a look at that."

The CIC will increase its focus on ensuring that meeting professionals who need to recertify do so, as it is updating its comprehensive database of recipients. "We've been very liberal with recertification, much of it because we've lost touch with some people," Distelhorst said. "But it will tighten up."

The poll was taken as part of an ongoing effort to gauge the level of satisfaction with the designation, Distelhorst said: "We're very pleased with the response. It reinforces that the CMP affects their image and our need to enhance it."

About 15 percent of respondents were corporate meeting managers, 56 percent were meeting managers, 28 percent facility, convention or sales managers and 6 percent destination officials.