Emeritus CMPs
HOW THE CMP DESIGNATION HELPED ME IN MY PROFESSIONAL
LIFE, AND, ONCE ACHIEVED, IS IMPORTANT TO RETAIN
By Capt. Joseph W. Bow, CAE, CMP
California, MD
Originally Certified: 1985 (Inaugural Class)
Back one-fifth of a century ago, when I earned my CMP designation, the meeting planning function of my job was a fairly small part. But, at that time I was serving as president of Meeting Planners International, now Meeting Professionals International, and felt it was incumbent upon me to show how important the CMP designation was no matter how many meetings or functions you planned.
Being an association executive, I had earlier obtained the CAE designation. Since retiring to a home by the Chesapeake Bay and taking friends fishing over 100 days a year, I obtained the U.S. Coast Guard designation of Merchant Marine Captain.
Am I just a “designation junkie”? I don’t think so! It has been my philosophy that, no matter what you do, you should continually study your chosen field of endeavor and do all you can to show those with whom you deal that you are serious about your work – a true professional.
There is no better way to increase your overall knowledge of the meetings profession than to study and learn the material necessary to earn the CMP designation.
After achieving the CMP designation, when I planned a meeting I could see a change in the attitude of those I dealt with the minute they saw my business card with the “CMP” after my name. They immediately knew they were talking to someone who took the meeting planning business seriously, knew the vernacular of the business and should be negotiated with accordingly. I am sure this worked to my advantage and to that of my association on many occasions. I was proud of the designation and let people know I had the CMP whenever I could. Unlike today, with over 10,000 Certified Meeting Professionals, fifteen or twenty years ago there were less than a few hundred. Then, it was necessary on many occasions to explain just what the CMP was all about. I always was happy to explain what it meant and encourage others to get the designation.
Since becoming a CMP, I have never considered anything but keeping the designation – even after I have retired. It is a badge of honor to have received the designation and those who are CMP’s should do all they can to retain the designation through recertification every five years. This means belonging to and keeping up with the industry, and giving back to your profession by participating, teaching and writing about the industry.
I am proud to have been among the first thirty to obtain the designation
and will always proudly display the “CMP” behind by name.
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