Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) Program

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Emeritus CMPs

Angela Farina-Cerame, CMP
Ontario, NY

The best thing I ever did for myself, besides having my children, was getting my education. Part of that education was receiving my Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) Certification. Growing up, the importance of education was not a priority for a female in my family. After being married for eighteen years and raising my children I felt it was now time for me to go back to school and get my education. I was a senior in college when my son was a college freshman.

My education led to my corporate job at Xerox Corporation. While at Xerox as a consultant, I joined Corporate Meeting Planners where I first learned about the Convention Industry Council’s (CIC) – CMP Program. Being a consultant to Xerox they would not cover the costs, so it all came from me. At the time I was preparing for the CMP exam I was the only one from my area applying. There were no study groups or organizations to work with. I had to travel out of town to take my examination. My initial Certification was in 1996.

While at Xerox I managed the National Long Service Award Program for 5000 employees with tenure. I worked with hotels around the country. It was beneficial when working with banquet or sales representatives of a hotel if they also had their CMP Certification. We were on the same page and understood where the other was coming from.

Working with hotels in the Rochester, New York area, only a handful of my contacts had their CMPs. Now in this area you see more and more people being trained through the Western New York MPI study groups. I was on the Board of the Western New York MPI for six years and served as their President in 2000-2001. While serving on the board we established study groups in the area, which led to more CMPs in the Rochester area. With the increasing numbers in the study group we were able to have the testing in either Rochester or Buffalo. I was a CMP Study Group Leader and Speaker as well as Proctor for the Examination. I attended CMP Conclave in Toronto, Canada in 1999.

I have lectured at various local colleges to the Hospitality Industry students over the years and have encouraged them to participate in the CIC Certification Program. I taught Meeting Planning at a local community college (as a Ad Hoc Faculty member) and used the CIC book as their textbook. Through this instructional opportunity I also provided training for an intern to work with me on the New York State Dietetic Conference.

In 2000, I won the Greater Rochester Visitors Association’s Coaches Award for my involvement as a member.

Recently, I planned a Christmas Party for a local organization. The manager of the facility asked me about the CMP designation after my name. I explained to him about the CMP program and its inherent benefits. I offered to provide him with my books to review to determine if he would be interested in taking the examination.

I worked hard to get my CMP and am proud to display the CMP designation next to my name. Even though I am semi-retired it is important to me to retain my CMP status. My CMP Certification was very important to my professional development. Thank you for the opportunity. My CMP Certification is hanging proudly along side my Bachelor’s Degree Diploma. It is a great way to show my grandchildren the importance of education.

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©2004 Convention Industry Council
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Emeritus CMPs

Angela Farina-Cerame, CMP
Ontario, NY

The best thing I ever did for myself, besides having my children, was getting my education. Part of that education was receiving my Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) Certification. Growing up, the importance of education was not a priority for a female in my family. After being married for eighteen years and raising my children I felt it was now time for me to go back to school and get my education. I was a senior in college when my son was a college freshman.

My education led to my corporate job at Xerox Corporation. While at Xerox as a consultant, I joined Corporate Meeting Planners where I first learned about the Convention Industry Council’s (CIC) – CMP Program. Being a consultant to Xerox they would not cover the costs, so it all came from me. At the time I was preparing for the CMP exam I was the only one from my area applying. There were no study groups or organizations to work with. I had to travel out of town to take my examination. My initial Certification was in 1996.

While at Xerox I managed the National Long Service Award Program for 5000 employees with tenure. I worked with hotels around the country. It was beneficial when working with banquet or sales representatives of a hotel if they also had their CMP Certification. We were on the same page and understood where the other was coming from.

Working with hotels in the Rochester, New York area, only a handful of my contacts had their CMPs. Now in this area you see more and more people being trained through the Western New York MPI study groups. I was on the Board of the Western New York MPI for six years and served as their President in 2000-2001. While serving on the board we established study groups in the area, which led to more CMPs in the Rochester area. With the increasing numbers in the study group we were able to have the testing in either Rochester or Buffalo. I was a CMP Study Group Leader and Speaker as well as Proctor for the Examination. I attended CMP Conclave in Toronto, Canada in 1999.

I have lectured at various local colleges to the Hospitality Industry students over the years and have encouraged them to participate in the CIC Certification Program. I taught Meeting Planning at a local community college (as a Ad Hoc Faculty member) and used the CIC book as their textbook. Through this instructional opportunity I also provided training for an intern to work with me on the New York State Dietetic Conference.

In 2000, I won the Greater Rochester Visitors Association’s Coaches Award for my involvement as a member.

Recently, I planned a Christmas Party for a local organization. The manager of the facility asked me about the CMP designation after my name. I explained to him about the CMP program and its inherent benefits. I offered to provide him with my books to review to determine if he would be interested in taking the examination.

I worked hard to get my CMP and am proud to display the CMP designation next to my name. Even though I am semi-retired it is important to me to retain my CMP status. My CMP Certification was very important to my professional development. Thank you for the opportunity. My CMP Certification is hanging proudly along side my Bachelor’s Degree Diploma. It is a great way to show my grandchildren the importance of education.

(Back to all Emeritus CMPs)