Qualifications for Applying to Become A CMP

Login Home Sitemap

CMP Examination Blueprint
The CMP examination is based on the knowledge required of a meeting professional. That knowledge base is specified within 27 topic areas designated as meeting management "Functions." In addition, meeting managers must recognize that each function is impacted by or relevant to the "Conditions" under which meetings are organized. Consequently, examination questions are written to assess an individual candidate's knowledge in terms of meeting management functions and the conditions associated with those functions.
Approximately 400 meeting professionals evaluated the original blueprint. In order to reflect the current status of the industry, another evaluation process was undertaken in 1996, during which the blueprint was updated and revalidated.
The examination is composed of 165 multiple choice questions based on the CMP Blueprint areas and are selected from the CMP Test Item Bank. Each examination offered is a different examination representing a new selection from the bank of test questions. The CMP Blueprint areas are listed below. The numbers in parentheses designate the number of questions from each topic that may be included in an individual examination.

Meeting Management Functions

THE FUNCTIONS ARE GROUPED IN FIVE STUDY MODULES.

EDUCATION

1.Goals and Objectives (8-10)
Determine the purpose of the meeting.
2. Program Content (8-10)
Determine speakers, topics, content and plan the program.

3. Evaluations (5-7)
Determine the success of the meeting, were the goals met, how well did the facility perform, distribute gratuities and evaluate return on investment.

4. Continuing Education (3-5)
Incorporate principles of the adult learning, learning objectives, meet continuing educational requirements of accrediting agencies.

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

5. Facility Contracts and Insurance (8-10)
Review and negotiate contracts with facilities.
6. Budgeting (8-10)
Financial management of the meeting.

FACILITIES AND SERVICES

7. Site and Facility Selection (8-10)
Determine the location of the meeting (country, city, hotel, convention center, conference center).
8. Support Services (5-7)
Arrange for support services from convention centers, suppliers, independent contractors, hospitality committee and volunteers.

9. Convention Center Facilities (1-3)
Coordinate all meeting aspects with convention center or hall.

10. Convention Service Management Responsibilities (5-7)
Coordinate all meeting aspects with convention center manager.

11. Facilities Staff (5-7)
Meet with hotel or facility staff to prepare them for the meeting.

12. Technology Utilization (3-5)
Integrate electronic communication such as email, voice mail, video and online communication into the meeting.

LOGISTICS

13. Reservations and Housing (5-7)
Arrange for meeting attendees to register for the event and for the housing.
14. Transportation (3-5)
Arrange for airlines, car rental, bus and other suppliers of transportation.

15. Specifications Guidebook (5-7)
Prepare a book incorporating all meeting information from room setup to emergency phone numbers.

16. Registration (5-7)
Establish procedures for attendees to register for all events and programs.

17. Shipping (3-5)
Oversee the transportation of all meeting materials to the meeting site and return.

18. Function Room Arrangements (8-10)
Arrange the setup of all function rooms to incorporate seating and audiovisual requirements.

19. Exhibits (1-3)
Oversee all aspects of exhibit solicitation, booth arrangement, setup, labor and fire regulations.

20. Environmental/ Humanitarian Aspects (1-3)
Oversee program to arrange for food distribution, recycling and diversity.

PROGRAM

21. Food and Beverage (5-7)
Determine food and beverage needs for meals and breaks, including quantity, dietary consideration and costs.
22. Audiovisual Needs (5-7)
Determine A/V requirements for the meeting. Work with A/V suppliers to ensure needs are met.

23. Speakers (5-7)
Help select speakers, prepare contracts and make speaker arrangements.

24. Entertainment (1-3)
Arrange for music including licensing arrangements, dance, special speakers and appropriate agreements.

25. Marketing, Promotion and Publicity (5-7)
Preparation of marketing plan to promote the meeting, arrange for public relations coverage.

26. Special Programs (1-3)
Arrange for guest programs, family programs, pre- and post-convention events.

27. Production and Presented Materials (3-5)
Arrange for printing of all meeting materials.

Meeting Management Conditions

THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS RELATE TO OR IMPACT THE FUNCTIONS:

1. Meeting Dates - Include consideration of holidays, seasons, days of the week.
2. Labor - Consider union/non-union states, availability of help.
3. Length of Meeting - Number of days from start to finish including pre and post events. 4. Number of Attendees - Consider single and multiple events.
5. Type of Facility - Convention center, hotel, resort, etc.
6. Objective - Education, incentive, exhibit, training.
7. Type of Organization - Association, corporation, government, religious.
8. Location of Meeting - City center, airport, offshore, international site.
9. Budget - Break even, profit, sponsorship.
10. Participant Funding - Staff, organization, procedure.
11. Management Responsibility - Staff, volunteer, facility staffing.
12. Space Requirements - Sleeping rooms, meeting rooms, exhibit space.
13. Transportation - Airline, car rental, ground operation.
14. Participant Demographics - Gender, age, ethnicity.
15. Social Events - Type, schedule.
16. Special Requirements - Tradition, ADA, diet.
17. Weather - Indoor/outdoor considerations.
18. Legal - Contracts, ADA, liability law.
19. Ethics - Contracts and supplier relationships.
20. Technology - Equipment, communication.
21. Current Events - Schedules, availability of site, safety issues.
22. Risk Management - Hazards, fire safety, emergency issues.

FAQ's | Program Policies | Booth Schedule | Designation Benefits

How to become a CMP | Fees | Qualifications | Deadlines, Locations & Exam Dates
Exam Prep | CMP Practice Exam | Study Group Leaders | Study Group Guidelines
International Candidates | CMP Exam | Exam Blueprint
Recertification

©2004 Convention Industry Council
Contact the CIC

CMP Examination Blueprint

The CMP examination is based on the knowledge required of a meeting professional. That knowledge base is specified within 27 topic areas designated as meeting management "Functions." In addition, meeting managers must recognize that each function is impacted by or relevant to the "Conditions" under which meetings are organized. Consequently, examination questions are written to assess an individual candidate's knowledge in terms of meeting management functions and the conditions associated with those functions.
Approximately 400 meeting professionals evaluated the original blueprint. In order to reflect the current status of the industry, another evaluation process was undertaken in 1996, during which the blueprint was updated and revalidated.
The examination is composed of 165 multiple choice questions based on the CMP Blueprint areas and are selected from the CMP Test Item Bank. Each examination offered is a different examination representing a new selection from the bank of test questions. The CMP Blueprint areas are listed below. The numbers in parentheses designate the number of questions from each topic that may be included in an individual examination.

Meeting Management Functions

THE FUNCTIONS ARE GROUPED IN FIVE STUDY MODULES.

EDUCATION

1.Goals and Objectives (8-10)
Determine the purpose of the meeting.
2. Program Content (8-10)
Determine speakers, topics, content and plan the program.

3. Evaluations (5-7)
Determine the success of the meeting, were the goals met, how well did the facility perform, distribute gratuities and evaluate return on investment.

4. Continuing Education (3-5)
Incorporate principles of the adult learning, learning objectives, meet continuing educational requirements of accrediting agencies.

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

5. Facility Contracts and Insurance (8-10)
Review and negotiate contracts with facilities.
6. Budgeting (8-10)
Financial management of the meeting.

FACILITIES AND SERVICES

7. Site and Facility Selection (8-10)
Determine the location of the meeting (country, city, hotel, convention center, conference center).
8. Support Services (5-7)
Arrange for support services from convention centers, suppliers, independent contractors, hospitality committee and volunteers.

9. Convention Center Facilities (1-3)
Coordinate all meeting aspects with convention center or hall.

10. Convention Service Management Responsibilities (5-7)
Coordinate all meeting aspects with convention center manager.

11. Facilities Staff (5-7)
Meet with hotel or facility staff to prepare them for the meeting.

12. Technology Utilization (3-5)
Integrate electronic communication such as email, voice mail, video and online communication into the meeting.

LOGISTICS

13. Reservations and Housing (5-7)
Arrange for meeting attendees to register for the event and for the housing.
14. Transportation (3-5)
Arrange for airlines, car rental, bus and other suppliers of transportation.

15. Specifications Guidebook (5-7)
Prepare a book incorporating all meeting information from room setup to emergency phone numbers.

16. Registration (5-7)
Establish procedures for attendees to register for all events and programs.

17. Shipping (3-5)
Oversee the transportation of all meeting materials to the meeting site and return.

18. Function Room Arrangements (8-10)
Arrange the setup of all function rooms to incorporate seating and audiovisual requirements.

19. Exhibits (1-3)
Oversee all aspects of exhibit solicitation, booth arrangement, setup, labor and fire regulations.

20. Environmental/ Humanitarian Aspects (1-3)
Oversee program to arrange for food distribution, recycling and diversity.

PROGRAM

21. Food and Beverage (5-7)
Determine food and beverage needs for meals and breaks, including quantity, dietary consideration and costs.
22. Audiovisual Needs (5-7)
Determine A/V requirements for the meeting. Work with A/V suppliers to ensure needs are met.

23. Speakers (5-7)
Help select speakers, prepare contracts and make speaker arrangements.

24. Entertainment (1-3)
Arrange for music including licensing arrangements, dance, special speakers and appropriate agreements.

25. Marketing, Promotion and Publicity (5-7)
Preparation of marketing plan to promote the meeting, arrange for public relations coverage.

26. Special Programs (1-3)
Arrange for guest programs, family programs, pre- and post-convention events.

27. Production and Presented Materials (3-5)
Arrange for printing of all meeting materials.

Meeting Management Conditions

THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS RELATE TO OR IMPACT THE FUNCTIONS:

1. Meeting Dates - Include consideration of holidays, seasons, days of the week.
2. Labor - Consider union/non-union states, availability of help.
3. Length of Meeting - Number of days from start to finish including pre and post events. 4. Number of Attendees - Consider single and multiple events.
5. Type of Facility - Convention center, hotel, resort, etc.
6. Objective - Education, incentive, exhibit, training.
7. Type of Organization - Association, corporation, government, religious.
8. Location of Meeting - City center, airport, offshore, international site.
9. Budget - Break even, profit, sponsorship.
10. Participant Funding - Staff, organization, procedure.
11. Management Responsibility - Staff, volunteer, facility staffing.
12. Space Requirements - Sleeping rooms, meeting rooms, exhibit space.
13. Transportation - Airline, car rental, ground operation.
14. Participant Demographics - Gender, age, ethnicity.
15. Social Events - Type, schedule.
16. Special Requirements - Tradition, ADA, diet.
17. Weather - Indoor/outdoor considerations.
18. Legal - Contracts, ADA, liability law.
19. Ethics - Contracts and supplier relationships.
20. Technology - Equipment, communication.
21. Current Events - Schedules, availability of site, safety issues.
22. Risk Management - Hazards, fire safety, emergency issues.

FAQ's | Program Policies | Booth Schedule | Designation Benefits