Certificate in Meeting Management (CMM)
The CMM is another widely respected certificate program, supervised by Meeting Professionals International (MPI). A recent MPI member study revealed that the average salary of a meeting professional with a CMM is approximately $20,000 per year more than members with only a CMP and nearly $30,000 per year more than members with no credentials.
“Our research has shown that people who hold one of those designations earn higher annual compensation,” said Matthew Marcial, vice president of education and events at Meeting Professionals International. “Acquiring certifications will allow every meeting professional advancement opportunities.”
To apply for a CMM, candidates must submit a resume demonstrating at least seven years of professional experience in the meeting, event or business travel industry; three years of management experience; and two years of profit-and-loss responsibility. The application must also include a personal statement and a letter of recommendation from a professional colleague or supervisor.
Once accepted, applicants then participate in an intensive three-and-a-half-day course led by faculty from the University of Virginia’s Barden School of Business and complete eight hours of advanced online coursework and a final capstone project. Thanks to the experience of the educators, the CMM program provides an opportunity for meeting executives to hone their leadership skills and business acumen.
One advantage of working toward CMM and CMP certifications simultaneously is that the CMM coursework also counts toward the CMP’s 25 educational hours. MPI partners with the EIC to offer several of these supplementary courses, such as the Sustainable Meetings Professional Certificate, a four-hour CMP credit course on planning sustainable events, and the Healthcare Meeting Compliance Certificate (HMCC), a four-hour CMP credit course that covers global trends and regulations in the health care field.
There are several other distinctions worth noting about the two programs. Once obtained, the CMM is a lifelong designation, whereas the CMP requires renewal every five years. The CMM can also require more of a time commitment because of the intensive three-day structure and coursework. In contrast, the CMP allows meeting professionals to study at their own pace and take the exam when they feel ready.
