Plan Your Meetings

Not so long ago, you learned the art of planning meetings and events on the job. Now that it’s one of the Top-20 jobs for the “young and restless,” even the government is pitching the profession. And that’s one reason why it’s more important than ever to get those three (or four) little letters behind your name.

Think about it: 15 years ago there wasn’t even a certificate program in the field. Now, there are more than 20 colleges, including New York University and The University of Georgia, offering one. At the University of Central Florida in Orlando, the Rosen College of Hospitality offers a B.S. in Event Management, and they’re not alone. For a global list of schools offering meetings-related degrees, check out this list MPI has created. Many of these programs are offered by continuing education divisions, so they’re targeted towards people already in the workforce who have full daytime schedules.

And, of course, there’s the industry standard: the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) credential. According to the Convention Industry Council’s 2007 CMP Report, CMPs earned higher salaries than their non-certified peers. But salary’s not the only reason to consider certification. More than ever, employers are starting to look for those initials (or CMMs) when they’re hiring new planners into the workforce — and whether you’ve recently been laid off, or are looking to transition out of where you are, that’s something to think about.

If you’re thinking about getting your CMP, there’s certainly a groundswell of support: Friday marks the first-ever CMP International Study Day. Your peers at MeCo have been offering virtual CMP Bootcamps for those studying to take the Certified Meeting Professional exam.

So, you ready to hit the books? Jackie Thornton’s compiled this list of credentials you can earn.