Job Description of a Certified Meeting Manager
A Certified Meeting Manager (CMM) oversees all aspects of meetings, beginning with planning all of the logistics involved before the meeting begins, including arranging and overseeing the details and ensuring that the meeting objectives are met. A CMM differs from a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) in that the CMM training emphasizes thinking strategically (determining ways to achieve the goals) rather than tactically (actions done according to the strategy).
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Experience
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To become a CMM ideally you should have the following minimum experience: (1) at least ten years of management level experience in the meeting and events industry, and (2) expertise in meeting management such as logistics, overseeing budgets, managing people, legal/contracts, marketing and communications. You do not need to have a CMP certification to become a CMM.
Certification
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The CMM certification program is managed by Meeting Professionals International (MPI). They started the United States CMM certification program in 1998. The application fee is non-refundable and, as of 2010, runs between $75.00 for MPI members and $125.00 for non-members. Then, if your application is accepted, the registration fee for reserving a specific program date ranges from $1,800.00 for MPI members to $2,200.00 for non-members.
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Application
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Before you can register for the certification program you must complete an online application. Prior to completing the application you must first set up an account at MPI. However you do not need to be a member of MPI to set up an account. Once you have an account, you can begin the application. There you are asked to provide information such as your formal education, professional education (courses or conferences). professional experience and any additional/exceptions/qualifications experience (this section consists of two essays). The section on additional/exceptions/qualifications experience is used in determining whether or not your application is accepted. After submitting your application, you will be notified in approximately ten days if it was accepted or denied.
Registration
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Once your application has been accepted, you can register for an upcoming certification program. (Program dates and locations are shown on the MPI website.) Upon registration you are sent a pre-course home study program. The actual course is a five-day residential course. At the end of the course you are given an exam (essay) and a take home project.
Considerations
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Is it worth it? That depends upon the individual. If you feel that your value as a job candidate is enhanced by having a certification or that your credibility is strengthened, then getting the CMM certification would most likely be a good investment. However, it has been pointed out that CMM is rarely listed as a requirement in job openings.
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