Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) Program

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Emeritus CMPs

CMP - The Rite of Passage
(Essay for Emeritus Status)
By Elisabeth M. La Fontaine, CMP, CMM
Toronto, Ontario, CANADA
Originally Certified: 1995

When I entered the hospitality industry in the mid 1980s, almost by mistake, I knew little or nothing about the technicalities of event management.

I was born with an innate sense of how to organize an event, how to see the big picture. “Begin with the end in mind…”, said Steven Covey and my ability to visualize has served me well over the years. I knew my strengths but how was I to indicate to others that I was competent? And was I? Without the assistance of hotel convention services staff, tour operators and local DMCs I would have drowned in the technicalities of staging my first major event.

Many of my colleagues were beginning to sport the letters CMP on their business cards and I learned about the Convention Industry Council. I soon discovered that the CMP designation was the rite of passage into the hospitality industry; it was an educational standard that indicated a professional level of experience and expertise.

In 1995, with the dedicated assistance of the Study Group leaders, members of the Toronto Chapter of MPI, I sat and passed the exam.

Becoming a Certified Meeting Professional is, however, only part of the success factor in the industry. In addition to the letters CMP one has to build an excellent professional reputation. The two, together, are all one needs when facing prospective employers, making sales calls or talking to hotel staff. The CMP is a unique selling point that says: “I’m committed to the industry and I understand how it works”.

Thank you CIC for making this possible; for raising the bar for meeting professionals and for encouraging so many new planners to strive to new heights of professionalism.

Now, after more than 20 years in the industry, as I continue to accept consulting, training and freelance assignments, the CMP Emeritus designation will ensure that I adhere to professional industry standards.

(Back to all Emeritus CMPs)

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©2004 Convention Industry Council
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Emeritus CMPs

CMP - The Rite of Passage
(Essay for Emeritus Status)
By Elisabeth M. La Fontaine, CMP, CMM
Toronto, Ontario, CANADA
Originally Certified: 1995

When I entered the hospitality industry in the mid 1980s, almost by mistake, I knew little or nothing about the technicalities of event management.

I was born with an innate sense of how to organize an event, how to see the big picture. “Begin with the end in mind…”, said Steven Covey and my ability to visualize has served me well over the years. I knew my strengths but how was I to indicate to others that I was competent? And was I? Without the assistance of hotel convention services staff, tour operators and local DMCs I would have drowned in the technicalities of staging my first major event.

Many of my colleagues were beginning to sport the letters CMP on their business cards and I learned about the Convention Industry Council. I soon discovered that the CMP designation was the rite of passage into the hospitality industry; it was an educational standard that indicated a professional level of experience and expertise.

In 1995, with the dedicated assistance of the Study Group leaders, members of the Toronto Chapter of MPI, I sat and passed the exam.

Becoming a Certified Meeting Professional is, however, only part of the success factor in the industry. In addition to the letters CMP one has to build an excellent professional reputation. The two, together, are all one needs when facing prospective employers, making sales calls or talking to hotel staff. The CMP is a unique selling point that says: “I’m committed to the industry and I understand how it works”.

Thank you CIC for making this possible; for raising the bar for meeting professionals and for encouraging so many new planners to strive to new heights of professionalism.

Now, after more than 20 years in the industry, as I continue to accept consulting, training and freelance assignments, the CMP Emeritus designation will ensure that I adhere to professional industry standards.

(Back to all Emeritus CMPs)