Testimonials
(these testimonials are from the volunteers who produced the standards, the Body of Knowledge Task Force members)
 | “The International Competency Standards for Meeting and Business Event Management is a great tool for the academic community and programs offering a meeting and/or event management program of study. This document outlines the essential core competencies of the profession and should be used as a blueprint when creating and accessing program and course student learning outcomes. Additionally as I mentor students interested in the meeting and event management profession, I will use the BOK document to craft students' professional development plan. This will allow future industry leaders to have confidence that they are focusing on the knowledge, skill, and ability elements essential to being successful in this field. This MPI project will provide the global framework for business professionals to pursue multiple career paths and encourage those with a passion for meeting and event management to seek advanced education and training.” |
| Amanda Cecil, PhD, CMP, Indiana University
Chair of Body of Knowledge Taskforce |
 | “It is one thing to call ourselves professionals and another thing altogether to be regarded and respected as professionals by organizations and employers outside the meetings industry. A recognized, standardized body of knowledge will provide the necessary framework and increased credibility we have been seeking for decades . Current practitioners and their employers will finally have consistent competency requirements and benchmarks against which to measure performance and results . For those of us in academia, an accepted ‘body of knowledge’ is an exciting opportunity to develop and deliver more practical and relevant undergraduate and graduate education. We are preparing the next and future generations of meeting and business event professionals to enter the work force. Now we have something concrete, standardized and globally recognized with which to develop curriculum that may be harmonized across institutions in the future. This is a quantum leap for our profession and I am grateful to have had the opportunity to participate in this exciting collaboration.” |
| Carol Krugman, MEd, CMP, CMM Metropolitan State College of Denver
Department of Hospitality, Tourism & Event Management |
 | “The MPI BOK project is a wake up call for the meetings and event industry. Meetings mean business and it takes confident and savvy business people that are not only nimble problem solvers for the organizations they serve – but personally strategic in obtaining the well-rounded necessary education and skills that will better position them for a long-term and successful career – no matter the role or venue.
I believe this work will further shape and galvanize the currently separate and distinct business meetings and event sub sectors traditionally found within the hospitality and tourism industry. By providing a collective competency framework, the meetings and event profession - and its attendees - will benefit globally across all service lines |
| Chrissy Ward, CAE |
 | “As a faculty member and someone who conducts training for meeting professionals, I am thrilled to see MPI undertake the daunting task of developing International Competency Standards for Meeting and Business Event Management. At universities, I see meetings curriculum that varies widely in content and delivery, the content of which is largely based on existing textbooks or faculty industry experience. The result of this is that students are not consistently prepared for jobs in the meetings profession. With competencies and standards defined, both university and training curriculum can follow an established and vetted path toward professional development at ascending levels of experience and need. The establishment of competency standards also goes a long way in identifying the meetings profession as a profession and not just a job. This is a much needed step in our professional evolution” |
| Tyra W. Hilliard, Ph.D., J.D., CMP
Consultant & Educator
Hilliard Associates, LLC |
 | “I’m very excited that MPI is developing a global standard for the education of meeting planners. Up until now, we’ve had some great inconsistencies in the course offerings, with some at a very high level, but too many that barely scratch the surface of the skills needed to be a meeting professional. As the meeting industry continues its evolution, a defined educational path is a critical component to our being considered a real profession and getting the recognition and respect we need in the business world. As these educational standards are implemented, the entire meeting industry – and all of us that work in the industry - will benefit.” |
| Terri Breining CMP, CMM |