The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) and Meeting Professionals International (MPI) announced recently that they collaborated to create the new CMM Designation Program. GBTA is the world’s premier business travel and meetings organization, while MPI is the largest and most vibrant global meeting and event industry association.
The CMM program is the first and only collaborative designation for meeting and travel professionals. In addition, it features an intensive business management study program led by university professors from renowned business schools.
“GBTA is pleased to join forces with MPI to offer this new program that will quickly become the business standard of excellence for both meeting and travel professionals,” said Michael W. McCormick, executive director and COO of GBTA. “The new CMM Designation Program with MPI will offer our collective members the opportunity to learn new skills and grow their careers.”
Participants must complete three distinct phases to achieve the new designation, including onsite business education sessions, participation in self-led webinars, and a one-day boot camp. The third phase involves the development of an independent work-based project.
“Over the past year, MPI has been transforming in order to better serve our members and part of this transformation involved taking the Certificate in Meeting Management program to the next level,” Paul Van Deventer, president and CEO of MPI, said. “CMM has been a revered designation within the meeting and event industry for some time, and we believe the value CMM has established will translate well within the travel industry and as a standalone trademark.”
As a result of the new program, all current CMM designation will continue to be supported by MPI and now by GBTA as well. Furthermore, professionals that achieved the former Certificate in Meeting Management designation will maintain the CMM designation.
