The Convention Industry Council (CIC) announced 478 newly designated Certified Meeting Professionals (CMPs) who passed the July 8, 2006 CMP examination.

Now in its twenty-first year, the number of individuals who have obtained the CMP credential now totals 11,747 in 32 countries.

Regarded as the premier certification program in the industry, the CMP examination tests the candidates’ knowledge of meeting management. In addition to passing this rigorous examination, candidates must also demonstrate employment in the field as well as responsibility and accountability for successful meetings.

The July examination was administered in 21 cities throughout North America and Milan, Italy.

The CMP Program is designed to increase the professionalism of meeting managers in any component or sector of the industry, recognize and raise industry standards, and increase the value of these practitioners to their employers and individuals to whom their services are provided.

The next North American CMP examinations are scheduled for January 20, 2007 (the application deadline is September 12th) and July 28, 2007 with an application deadline of March 19, 2007. CIC also administers an annual International examination in conjunction with IMEX in Frankfurt, Germany.

Interested meeting professionals may purchase the CMP Candidate Handbook from the CIC website www.conventionindustry.org.