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CONTENTS
I. OTA & APEX Partner for Common Standards
II. Upcoming Presentations @ Industry Events
III. CIC Update (New Section By Popular Demand!)
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I. OTA & APEX PARTNER FOR COMMON STANDARDS
The OpenTravel™ Alliance (OTA) and the Accepted Practices Exchange (APEX) are supporting the travel, meetings, conventions and exhibitions industries.
OTA and APEX, two closely related industry organizations, are coordinating their efforts to standardize data interchange and streamline the way the travel industry and the meetings, conventions and exhibitions industry do business. Together their goal is to develop XML schemas for their respective industries, parts of which have common elements that can be developed in concert.
OTA, a non-profit open alliance, is focused on the travel industry as a whole entity, such as airlines, hotels, car rental companies and other travel and technology related organizations. An initiative of the Convention Industry Council, APEX concentrates on event organizers, hotels and other venues, convention and visitors bureaus and related-industry needs. APEX and OTA intend to further cross-industry coordination and are expanding data exchange standards for easier, faster and cheaper communications among business partners.
As of Friday, February 4, 2005, the Convention Industry Council is a member of OTA. That membership will facilitate increased involvement and partnership across the industry.
Work continues strong in both organizations. In December 2003, OTA published its 2004B Specification for XML (to view this document visit www.opentravel.org), which includes many hotel XML schema that is currently being implemented. Almost simultaneously, APEX published its industry glossary, which has set the stage for future data definitions, and the APEX Post-Event Report, which defines the standard data elements for a post-event report.
Both organizations look forward to continued open communications and
information sharing.
II. UPCOMING PRESENTATIONS @ INDUSTRY EVENTS
Watch for APEX-related sessions at the following upcoming industry events:
March 3, 2005
Destinations Showcase – Washington, DC, USA
www.destinationsshowcase.com
May 26, 2005
Springtime – Washington, DC, USA
June 9, 2005
Destinations Showcase – Chicago, IL, USA
www.destinationsshowcase.com
The Convention Industry Council's 30 member organizations represent more than 98,000 individuals and 15,000 firms and properties involved in the meetings, conventions and exhibitions industry. Formed in 1949 to provide a forum for member organizations seeking to enhance the industry, the CIC facilitates the exchange of information, develops programs to promote professionalism within the industry, and educates the public on its profound economic impact. In addition to the APEX initiative, the CIC is also responsible for the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) Program and others.
LOOKING BACK, MOVING FORWARD…CMP CELEBRATES 20TH ANNIVERSARY
2005 marks the twentieth year of the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) program. The milestone will be commemorated with promotional events throughout the year.
Established in 1985, the CMP program was developed to increase the proficiency of meeting professionals in key components of the meetings, conventions, and exhibitions industry; recognize and raise industry standards; and, increase the value of these practitioners to their employers and individuals to whom their services are provided. Today it is regarded as the premier certification program in the industry.
The CMP examination tests the candidates’ knowledge of meeting management. In addition to passing a rigorous examination, candidates must also demonstrate management experience in the field as well as responsibility and accountability for successful meetings.
The first CMP examination, which yielded 23 passing candidates, was administered on June 6, 1985 in Chicago, Illinois. Howard Feiertag, CMP, CHME, CHA, hospitality and tourism instructor at Virginia Polytechnic Institute was among the first to receive the credential. Feiertag reflects, "Throughout the 20 years that I've been a CMP, it has added greatly to my credibility and standing in the meetings and conventions industry. I credit CMP with aiding me in doing more business with other CMPs while I was in the hotel business. Even now, teaching meeting & convention management at Virginia Tech, I am still getting recognition and great respect from students, faculty, and university officials because of my being a CMP."
Over its two decade history, the CMP program has grown and evolved to meet the changing needs of the industry. The program, which expanded internationally in 1993, now certifies an average of 1,000 new CMPs annually. In 2005 the number of individuals who have obtained the CMP credential will total over 10,000 in 26 countries worldwide. CMP Board Chair, John S. Parke, CMP asserts, “As more industry professionals achieve the CMP certification, the entire industry is enhanced through the sharing of best practices. Over time, those practices are setting new standards of excellence for our profession and the entire industry, on a global scale.”
For more information on the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) program, visit www.conventionindustry.org.
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The APEX E-News provides timely information and updates on the APEX (Accepted Practices Exchange) initiative to all volunteers, funders and general industry members. APEX is developing the best accepted practices for the meetings, conventions and exhibitions industry with the goal of streamlining the way the industry does business.
To be added to this mailing list, send an email with "ADD" in the subject line to ccote@conventionindustry.org. Please include your name, title, employer, and mailing address.
To be deleted from this mailing list, send an email with "REMOVE" in the subject line to ccote@conventionindustry.org.
APEX is an initiative of the Convention Industry
Council
www.conventionindustry.org
Contact the CIC