Events & Conferencing News South Africa

CMP entrants grow in South Africa

A mix of professional meeting planners, representing both corporate and association clients, took the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) exam on Saturday, 12 February 2011, in Johannesburg, Cancun, Seoul and Düsseldorf, under the control of the Convention Industry Council (CIC).
CMP entrants grow in South Africa

The CIC manages more than 50% of the recognised international industry qualifications via its association members representing some 135 000 individual members.

Supervisor Amanda Voorveert officiated the South African exam process, with Nigel Walker CMP and Peta Thomas CMP, as proctors. The results of the exam will be announced by CIC in late March 2011.

According to the World Report, which has researched many hundreds of careers that are growing in status and importance, meeting planning is in the top 50. The importance of effective planning - from the conceptual and logistical aspects is viewed by end users as essential. Most organisations recognize the value of the face-to-face MICE undertaking, as not just a perk but an imperative for companies and associations in particular that have a greater global reach. Budgets, although reduced, remain high and the return on investment is becoming paramount.

According to Helen Brewer, of the CMP Network South Africa Advisory Board, the network is receiving more applications from South African corporate and professional planners for CMP status, as this stringent certification programme can be the entry into many countries worldwide.

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