As for crisis counseling (A Risk-Attitude Adjustment, Meetings South, February 2007). I can’t tell you the number of salespeople I encounter who give me blank stares when I ask about emergency procedures during a site. I get answers ranging from “Don’t worry” or “I don’t know” to “Why do you need to know?” It is about education—and I try and do that with every site inspection and with every student. And I do get it in writing and add it to my contracts.
Sandy Biback, CMP
CMMImagination+ Meeting Planners Inc.
Toronto
An F&B Tip
I cut F&B costs by doing an all-day meeting package that includes breakfast, an a.m. break, a buffet lunch, and a p.m. break for $30-$35 or $35-$38, depending on the type of breakfast included in the package. This includes coffee and tea all day at no extra cost, along with sodas in the afternoon. All my meals include the basics only—no frills and sometimes a lighter dessert of pudding instead of heavy cakes and other sweets.
For a continental breakfast, I do not include yogurt or bagels. Instead I do breakfast breads and Danish pastries. Since we have doctors attending our meetings, protein is important to them to go with their caffeine, so I always have a small domestic cheese tray included as part of the continental breakfast—all within my budgeted amount. I always have the chef use fruit that is in season for the fruit tray. When it comes to negotiating for F&B, I indicate the amount of money that we have to spend for the all-day meeting package and then let the catering manager and chef tell me what they can provide within that budget.
Kay Bothwell, CMP
Department of Labor and Employment/Division of Workers’
Compensation/Physicians Accreditation
Denver
MeCo Musings
Classifications
Kim Will asked:
“I had a quick question. I have a certificate from New York University in Meeting, Conference and Event Management. I wondered what that meant in terms of accreditation. Am I a CMM? Should I bother pursuing a CMP? I am now a few credits short from completing my bachelors in marketing. Since this is all a career change for me (at 44 years young) I don’t have time to be chasing my tail. I just want to make sure that I am making the right decisions for my career. Thanks to anyone who can provide some guidance to me.”
Eli Gorin responded:
“Certificates are given after completing the courses in your program. To get designations, you have to apply for the respective title exam, which may include a lengthy application process requiring proof of minimum years in the industry, industry involvement, education, etc. CMP is an industry-wide designation given by the Convention Industry Council that requires a minimum 90 points out of a possible 150 on the application to qualify to sit for the exam (which I finally did...yay!). A CMM requires, I believe, a minimum of 10 years experience, is much more thorough, and is offered by MPI. The CSEP designation I am not too sure about, but I know it is another lengthy examination process and plenty of people on the [MeCo] list can give more info. It is offered by the International Special Events Society (ISES).
Here is more information on each:
CMP: www.conventionindustry.org/cmp
CMM: www.mpiweb.org (info from 2006)
CSEP: www.ises.com/CSEP
