Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) Program

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Emeritus CMPs

CMP AND ME
(Essay for Emeritus Status)
By Linda M. deLeon, CMP
Silver Spring, MD
Originally Certified: 1995

Obtaining the CMP designation in 1995 was like stepping onto an automatic door opener. Doors of possibilities opened before me, personally and professionally. As the third person in my organization to obtain the CMP, it demonstrated to my employer that I was serious about my job assignment. To suppliers in the hospitality industry, it demonstrated that I cared enough about the meeting planning profession to obtain a recognized certification.

The CMP on my business card gave me instant credibility. It indicated a certain level of competency. But those three letters on my business card did not give me everything. It took my words, actions, professionalism, and my personal commitment to the industry to prove I was truly a professional. It took honest and forthright dealing with suppliers to show that I was worthy of being called a Certified Meeting Professional.

Looking back, high school and college graduations never brought me as much self-fulfillment as passing the CMP exam did. It was not possible for me to join a study group. Studying on my own was frightening...would I miss an important area of focus...would I recall all the information. But I did it!

Obtaining the CMP, however, is not the end. It means continuing to grow and develop professionally. It means sharing what I have learned with others through speaking, writing, and mentoring other meeting planners in my own organization and in the Religious Conference Management Association.

Why would someone going into retirement want to retain his or her CMP designation? I may be headed into retirement, but that doesn't mean I'm word out and no longer interested in servicing. I will soon have the freedom to volunteer my skills to non-profit organizations or even accept part-time employment. It is my goal to continue my involvement in an industry I have grown to love and appreciate - an industry that has provided me with personal satisfaction beyond my greatest expectations. The CMP Emeritus designation means that I will continue to maintain the highest standards in the meeting planning profession.

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©2004 Convention Industry Council
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Emeritus CMPs

CMP AND ME
(Essay for Emeritus Status)
By Linda M. deLeon, CMP
Silver Spring, MD
Originally Certified: 1995

Obtaining the CMP designation in 1995 was like stepping onto an automatic door opener. Doors of possibilities opened before me, personally and professionally. As the third person in my organization to obtain the CMP, it demonstrated to my employer that I was serious about my job assignment. To suppliers in the hospitality industry, it demonstrated that I cared enough about the meeting planning profession to obtain a recognized certification.

The CMP on my business card gave me instant credibility. It indicated a certain level of competency. But those three letters on my business card did not give me everything. It took my words, actions, professionalism, and my personal commitment to the industry to prove I was truly a professional. It took honest and forthright dealing with suppliers to show that I was worthy of being called a Certified Meeting Professional.

Looking back, high school and college graduations never brought me as much self-fulfillment as passing the CMP exam did. It was not possible for me to join a study group. Studying on my own was frightening...would I miss an important area of focus...would I recall all the information. But I did it!

Obtaining the CMP, however, is not the end. It means continuing to grow and develop professionally. It means sharing what I have learned with others through speaking, writing, and mentoring other meeting planners in my own organization and in the Religious Conference Management Association.

Why would someone going into retirement want to retain his or her CMP designation? I may be headed into retirement, but that doesn't mean I'm word out and no longer interested in servicing. I will soon have the freedom to volunteer my skills to non-profit organizations or even accept part-time employment. It is my goal to continue my involvement in an industry I have grown to love and appreciate - an industry that has provided me with personal satisfaction beyond my greatest expectations. The CMP Emeritus designation means that I will continue to maintain the highest standards in the meeting planning profession.

(Back to all Emeritus CMPs)