DALLAS, TX, Tuesday, March 3, 2026—Meeting Professionals International (MPI) and San Diego State University (SDSU) have partnered to reimagine MPI’s senior-level certificate program, started in the mid 1990’s—the Certificate in Meeting Management (CMM). CMM is the premier designation for distinguished meeting professionals and a business standard of excellence within the meeting and event industry.
The change was created with input from three alumni-led committees tasked with driving changes to the event’s design and curriculum to meet the needs of today’s professionals and create greater impact and support for future cohorts.
“Today’s event leaders are responsible for far more than logistics; they shape strategy, influence revenue, mitigate risk, and help define organizational culture. The CMM aligns directly with where the industry is headed by developing the leadership capabilities required at the executive level,” said Lori Pugh, vice president of the MPI Academy.
With increased program control and a partnership with SDSU—home to the Master’s in Meeting and Event Management—MPI is shaping a CMM experience that is both academically grounded and industry-led.
“The CMM represents the highest standard of leadership in the meeting industry, and we are proud that the Payne School at SDSU will help steward that legacy,” said Carl Winston, Ph.D., founding director, Payne School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at SDSU. “Our role is not just to teach—it is to elevate the profession by developing leaders who influence strategy, create value, and drive organizational success.”
The new 8-10-week cohort structure, designed to foster deeper connection and peer learning, with an immersive, in-person, 2-3-day component to strengthen the cohort and create a mini community experience, will extend beyond the classroom into an alumni community connected to more than 1,500 CMM holders worldwide. Data from industry surveys show that the CMM is among the highest-paying designations in the meetings and events sector, with CMM holders earning an average of $20,000 more per year than CMP holders and nearly $30,000 more than professionals with no industry credentials.
This structure serves the diverse personas within the CMM audience, including corporate event strategists, small business owners, third-party planners, suppliers, DMO professionals, sales leaders, and mid-level professionals preparing for executive roles.
The program will maintain its core strengths in leadership, strategy, and innovation while introducing new learning modules around conflict resolution and design thinking.
Through multiple experiential learning environments, including asynchronous online learning, in-person cohort sessions, and one-on-one coaching, the program will accommodate diverse learning styles, schedules, and professional needs.
About CMM:
The CMM is designed for senior-level meeting professionals—those who manage teams, oversee budgets, and prepare to move from manager-level roles into director, executive, or vice president positions.
The eligibility requirements are:
7+ years of industry experience 3+ years in a management role 2+ years with P&L or budget responsibility
The first CMM program is in Spring 2026, with the in-person portion taking place April 12-15, 2026, and the virtual learning and capstone taking place between mid-April and June 2026.
To learn and apply, visit: mpi.org/cmm
About MPI:
Meeting Professionals International (MPI) is the largest meeting and event industry association worldwide. The organization provides innovative and relevant education, networking opportunities, and business exchanges, and serves as a prominent voice for the industry’s promotion and growth. MPI has a global community of 60,000 meeting and event professionals, including nearly 12,000 engaged members. It has nearly 70 chapters, clubs, and members in more than 75 countries worldwide. “When we meet, we change the world.” www.mpi.org
