Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) Program

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Emeritus CMPs

THE CMP IN MY LIFE
By Francine Butler, PhD, CMP, CAE
Wheat Ridge, CO
Originally Certified: 1985 (Founder & Inaugural Class)

What an interesting perspective—I have the opportunity to join esteemed peers in the emeritus status of CMP. Who would have guessed some 20 or more years ago when a group of 14 individuals named by the CLC President to create this new program, that we would be where we are? LaRue Fry had to keep the motley group in tow because the sense was that we would create another CAE program—and that was definitely not where this team was going. We took a bold step and brought a psychometrician to our team by the name of Leon Gross. It was not long till we were all speaking in statistical terms and the first exam was born. Fred Spilhaus was there as was Len Rollins (late of the Houston CVB). As chair of the committee Fred kept a strong hand.

The evolution of the process took me through the education committee of PCMA and working with Bill Just who created a review course model that is still very important. I continued on the CMP Board for a number of years succeeding to chair and working to develop the Blueprint, and conducted several of the surveys to determine its validity. Even after leaving the Board I served as consultant to revalidate the Blueprint.

When it was decided to move the program out of ASAE, it was my company who earned the bid to manage the program from Colorado for two years at which time it was moved to where you currently reside. In that period the study groups grew, and the Conclaves became an important gathering place to both strengthen the exam and serve as a meeting place for all CMPs.

Looking back it was a great experience. I had the great honor to be a part of the creation of the program, served on its Board, served as Executive Director of the program and had the opportunity to meet and interact with all the key meeting management leaders in the country. I believe that my contribution in some way attests to the current success of the program.

Why do I think it’s important to retain the designation—the answer is the same now as it was when we created it—CMP is THE designation that means professionalism in meeting planning.

(Back to all Emeritus CMPs)

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©2004 Convention Industry Council
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Emeritus CMPs

THE CMP IN MY LIFE
By Francine Butler, PhD, CMP, CAE
Wheat Ridge, CO
Originally Certified: 1985 (Founder & Inaugural Class)

What an interesting perspective—I have the opportunity to join esteemed peers in the emeritus status of CMP. Who would have guessed some 20 or more years ago when a group of 14 individuals named by the CLC President to create this new program, that we would be where we are? LaRue Fry had to keep the motley group in tow because the sense was that we would create another CAE program—and that was definitely not where this team was going. We took a bold step and brought a psychometrician to our team by the name of Leon Gross. It was not long till we were all speaking in statistical terms and the first exam was born. Fred Spilhaus was there as was Len Rollins (late of the Houston CVB). As chair of the committee Fred kept a strong hand.

The evolution of the process took me through the education committee of PCMA and working with Bill Just who created a review course model that is still very important. I continued on the CMP Board for a number of years succeeding to chair and working to develop the Blueprint, and conducted several of the surveys to determine its validity. Even after leaving the Board I served as consultant to revalidate the Blueprint.

When it was decided to move the program out of ASAE, it was my company who earned the bid to manage the program from Colorado for two years at which time it was moved to where you currently reside. In that period the study groups grew, and the Conclaves became an important gathering place to both strengthen the exam and serve as a meeting place for all CMPs.

Looking back it was a great experience. I had the great honor to be a part of the creation of the program, served on its Board, served as Executive Director of the program and had the opportunity to meet and interact with all the key meeting management leaders in the country. I believe that my contribution in some way attests to the current success of the program.

Why do I think it’s important to retain the designation—the answer is the same now as it was when we created it—CMP is THE designation that means professionalism in meeting planning.

(Back to all Emeritus CMPs)