Convention Centers

The heart of any organization is its staff. At the San Antonio Convention Facilities,
we are committed to providing training that assists our employees in developing
their skills and expertise.

During the last three years, some 18 staff members and two employees of our exclusive caterer have earned the status of Certified Meeting Professionals (CMP). As described on its web site (www.conventionindustry.org), the program is governed by the Convention Industry Council (CIC) and allows for individuals who are currently employed in meeting management to pursue continuing education, increased industry involvement and industry-wide recognition by achieving the CMP designation. Established in 1985, the credential was developed to increase the proficiency of meeting professionals in any component or sector of the industry by:

Identifying a body of knowledge;
Establishing a level of knowledge and performance necessary for certification;
Stimulating the advancement of the art and science of meeting management;
Increasing the value of practitioners to their employers;
Recognizing and raising industry standards, practices and ethics;
Maximizing the value received from the products and services provided by Certified Meeting Professionals.

We began in 2000 with one employee traveling to the MPI - CMP Study Group in Austin, TX every Monday for five months. We now offer the same Study Group in our convention center each fall in preparation for the Convention Industry Council (CIC) winter exam in mid-January or early February. Not only are our qualified employees afforded this training, but we have made this opportunity available to others involved in our industry. This has improved our stature among our contemporaries in a very positive way. Participants in our CMP classes have included staff from hotels, DMCs, decorating companies, A/V providers and other hospitality-related components.

We recognize certification as an important component of our mission – as do our customers. Customers with CMP designations immediately establish a rapport with our staff. Other non-CMP customers still recognize our certification as a measure of our skill and view it as a tremendous asset in cementing our professional relationship. Through CMP certification, we have established a benchmark that has been recognized and praised by our customers.

With the designation, our employees become members of our CMP Wall of Fame. As our customers enter our Pre-con room, the Wall of Fame greets them with 8 x 10 photos of employees possessing the designation. We utilized the services of a local plastics company to create a Texassize wall-mounted replica of the CMP emblem. We spelled out Certified Meeting Professionals in gold letters and accentuated the entire wall with tract lighting.

Each year in early June, we begin promoting our August CMP Study Group to our colleagues in the local hospitality industry by describing the content of the program and the ease with which candidates can participate. Classes commence and continue one night per week until early December.

Through CMP certification, we have established a benchmark that has been recognized and praised by our customers.

All of our meetings transpire at the convention center conference room with the convention center serving as the main sponsor of the program by providing the time of two staff members, the venue, parking, an LCD projector, screen and use of the copier for the instructors.

Current local CMPs serve as instructors and prepare a two-and-one-half hour presentation of the topic being covered in the two books recommended by the CIC. The instructor prepares an opening quiz and ends with a 10-question exam. This year, we are enhancing our program by taking it up a notch. For example, this year's presentation on F&B will be held in our kitchen and will end with a sponsored wine tasting.

The local support of the program has been outstanding as well. We have been fortunate to have the support of AVWTELAV. AVW CMP candidates help us to video and audio record the instructional sessions for those absent from class due to business travel or late night events. We have a who's who of sponsors including Freeman Decorating, The RK Group, Hard Rock Cafe, Convention Decorating Service, Edlen Electric, Hyatt Regency, Smart City Networks, ARAMARK, Levy Restaurants, Marriott Hotels and our own SACVB.

The evening sponsor brings in food and beverages for the group and is provided the opportunity to network with the candidates, and time to make a sales pitch, along with handing out brochures.

As a wrap-up at the end of the program, we offer a study weekend in the early part of January that usually takes place at a resort or hotel property. It includes a final study session similar to the Jeopardy game with all its bells and whistles thanks to the help of AVW-TELAV.

The final session offers a mock exam similar to the real exam with every detail in place from showing identification when entering the site to a test of 150 questions.

Both activities serve as a real “eye opener” to all involved and help to prepare each candidate achieve their ultimate goal of passing the CMP exam and attaining the designation.

We have built a model for certification that works. Please feel free to contact any of us in IAAM involved in the San Antonio Study Group for additional information. You can contact me at alomas@sanantonio.gov, Wanda Williams, CMP at wandaw@sanantonio.gov or Rose Ann Martinez, CMP at rmartinez@sbccenter.net.

Al Lomas, CMP, CMM, CFE is assistant director of San Antonio Convention Facilities in San Antonio, Texas. He can be reached at alomas@sanantonio.gov.