My CMM Journey (Certificate in Meeting Management)

There is never enough time to get everything done. Crossing items off of your ‘to do’ list often result in adding many more to it but somehow we need to make the time to invest in ourselves. I share these words of wisdom with many in my MPI circle and so thought it was important to take my own advice when applying to commence my CMM journey. Each step of the way was nerve racking but so very rewarding in the end.

I had often heard the term ‘earn your seat at the table’ but not until I was on my CMM journey did it make crystal clear sense. Earning your Certificate in Meeting Management shows the world that you are a strategic thinker ready to assume a leadership role in meeting Industry. After your application is approved, you are invited to submerse yourself in an intensive, three-phased executive education program, containing highlights of a world-class graduate degree program.

My journey began last December when I attended the in-class session with 40+ other meeting professionals, all as nervous as I was. Eight hours of advanced-level online coursework (over the course of several weeks) followed, and then a final project focused on solving a real-world meeting industry based problem to complete the process.

Throughout my time, both in person and through online courses, I was able to garner skills on: Leadership for High Performance, Communicating with Influence, Economics of Tourism, Negotiating and Managing Conflict, Budgeting and Finance, Managing Change, Sustainability, Leadership Coaching, The Value and Power of Events, Communication Intelligence and Experiential Design.

I can now say I have earned a seat at that C suite table and am much more comfortable in my presentation abilities and strategic thinking skills. The program taught by Indiana University faculty put me alongside meeting professionals from across North America and beyond. Together we supported each other and have formed bonds beyond our certificate completion.

According to a recent MPI member survey, the average salary of a meeting professional with a CMM is roughly $20k/year more than members with a CMP and nearly $30k/year more than members with no credentials. Earning your CMM shows the world that you are ready for a leadership role in this industry.

The program fee is charged in USD and is currently $4,400 but MPI scholarship opportunities are available both on a chapter and international level. Being awarded the MPI Toronto CMM Scholarship last March allowed me to take the first step towards my CMM journey. Having the support of my employer, Meetings + Conventions Calgary, helped me take the plunge. I would highly recommend the program to anyone who is ready to take their career to the next level, but make sure you are aware of the time commitment and cost in order to do so.  

The best part of this experience was not just the learning and achieving of the certificate but the people I met. I learned so much from their real-life experiences and sharing ideas together.  The people in my class are the best in the business and I am honored to have shared this experience with them. I am thankful to call these people not only industry peers but friends.

To begin your CMM Journey, you can visit: https://www.mpiweb.org/education/academic-partnerships/certificate-meeting-management or feel free to reach out to me for tips and more information.

Sandra Moniz, CMP, CMM
Immediate Past President, MPI Toronto Chapter
Meetings + Conventions Calgary – Toronto Office
smoniz@meetingscalgary.com