In light of the new CMP International Standard announced by the Convention Industry Council (CIC), the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) will be working closely with CIC to align its popular CMP Online Prep Course and the Professional Meeting Management textbook with the revised blueprint (now CMP International Standard) for meeting professional certification.
"We couldn't be more supportive of the good work of CIC and the CMP Board of Directors in updating core competencies and globalizing the CMP designation," said Deborah Sexton, PCMA president and CEO.
"We're looking forward to working with them to update our industry resources to represent the new content areas and organization of the new CMP International Standard blueprint."
Historically, 98% of those who complete PCMA's CMP Online Prep Course have passed the CMP exam on their first try. Course materials are available for participants for self-study 24/7 at home, at the office or on the road. Those who complete the course also earn 7 CEUs.
"PCMA's CMP Online Prep Course is an extremely effective tool for those preparing for the CMP exam and remains the only online course for CMP exam prep officially endorsed by CIC," said Karen Kotowski, CAE, CMP, CIC chief executive officer.
PCMA is also beginning the process of updating its Professional Meeting Management textbook - an approved study guide for the CMP exam - to reflect the new CMP International Standard blueprint.
The sixth edition of PMM will jointly address the educational needs of college faculty and students, those seeking to obtain or recertify for their CMP, and practicing meeting professionals seeking a definitive resource on a comprehensive array of industry topics.
Through its Convene magazine, PCMA also offers The Convene CMP Series -- a monthly package of timely articles organized around CMP knowledge areas. The series offers on-the-go readers the opportunity to gain CEU credit hours toward their CMP designation by reading certain articles in Convene and taking an online test on the content.
As part of their announcement, CIC also said that the CMP Board is moving toward computer-based testing for the CMP exam starting in the second quarter of 2012.
That means the last major day for the current CMP written exam will be at PCMA's Convening Leaders in San Diego in January 2012.
"Anyone studying right now for the exam based on the current or outgoing CMP blueprint should mark their calendar for January 7, 2012," said Sexton. "It's another opportunity for advancing your career that will be available at Convening Leaders."
