A new framework for delivery of education in the meetings industry has been announced by the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA).

Entitled “Principles of Professional Performance,” the framework is based on input from 403 PCMA professional members, who were surveyed earlier this year to identify and rank knowledge areas and competencies that they view as important to their success.

“This framework goes far beyond just establishing core competencies, which has received some attention recently,” explains PCMA Chairman Gregg H. Talley, CAE, president of Talley Management Group. “We’re building a larger structure for creating learning activities for the lifelong learner that will enable everyone from entry-level planners to senior executives to advance their careers.”

The six principles that serve as over-arching categories for the new framework are outlined below. Under each principle, specific knowledge domains representing functional or management areas provide a structure that will encompass core competencies in each area.

Planning

·         Strategic Planning

·         Business Development

People

·         Managing Human Resources

·         Interpersonal Relationships

·         Leadership

Professionalism

·         Professional Development

·         Communication

Programming

·         Program Planning

Procedures

·         Financial Management

·         Event Management

·         Using Technology

·         Legal Issues

Production

·         Facilities and Services

·         Logistics

Core competencies are the specific elements and tasks that pertain to each of the Knowledge Domains. These domains can accommodate an unlimited number of concepts, skills, and tasks, which are the essential core competencies that PCMA members have identified as important to the success of their careers. Over time, the learning programs offered by PCMA will address all these core competencies.

“Meeting professionals have limited time and resources to spend on professional development,” Talley continues. “This framework maximizes the benefit they will receive from PCMA programs by delivering exactly what they have identified as important in an environment conducive to learning.”

The overall program translates to three levels of branded learning programs to be delivered at upcoming PCMA event.

These include:

·         Executive Education – Designed for Top Management, this will focus on strategic leadership issues in the meetings profession.

·         Professional Education – Designed for Middle Management, this will teach best practices in meeting and event management.

·         Essential Education – Designed for Lower Management, this will address key concepts and systems essential to managing meetings and events.

“Competency requirements are different for executives at each of the three management levels,” Talley continues. “Our programs will offer appropriate learning experiences at each level.”

PCMA called on the expertise of a number of academicians from leading universities in developing this framework through a Faculty Task Force that reviewed meeting planner competencies and helped design the survey instrument used earlier this year.

“I want to thank these faculty members for donating their valuable time to this endeavor,” Talley says. “By understanding the current needs and priorities of the profession, they will also be able to better tailor university programs to prepare new meeting professionals to enter the field.”

The PCMA Education Foundation funded the work of the Faculty Task Force and continues to provide support for this educational initiative.

PCMA has a long history as a leader in providing education to the meetings industry. In 1985, PCMA formalized the body of knowledge it created since its founding in 1955 by publishing its first textbook, Professional Meeting Management, which remains to this day one of the leading textbooks in colleges and universities.

Professional Meeting Management is also a suggested reference book for the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) certification exam. The book is currently being revised, with the fifth edition scheduled to be published in 2006.