Member Showcase - CMP Spotlight - April 2025

Katie Curcio, CMP Senior Sales Manager Disney Meetings and Events

For April 2025: This month's CMP Spotlight: Kathryn (Katie) Curcio, CMP

This month's CMP Spotlight features MPI Georgia Chapter's most recent candidate to pass the CMP Exam on March 31, the final day the exam was based on the Event Industry Council's 2017 International Standards.  We congratulate Kathryn (Katie) Curcio, CMP, Senior Sales Manager, Disney Meetings & Events, for her success and achieving this professional development milestone.  Katie shares details of her CMP preparation processes in this month's interview. Bravo, Katie!

* When you were initially considering earning the Certified Meeting Professional ("CMP") designation,  please share what motivated you to pursue the CMP?

During the COVID-19 pandemic, I frequently saw friends on social media sharing that they had earned their CMP certification.  I couldn’t help but feel envious that they had used this time to expand their skill sets while navigating the challenges of the pandemic.  When I later joined a new team within my company, my leadership was incredibly supportive of my professional growth.  They encouraged me to pursue the CMP certification and suggested that I make it one of my professional development goals for the upcoming fiscal year.  I was thrilled at the opportunity to achieve this goal and enhance my skill set.

* How did participation in the MPI Georgia Chapter CMP Study Group support your preparation to take the exam?

Joining the MPI Georgia Chapter CMP study group was a transformative experience.  Preparing for the CMP exam can often feel overwhelming due to the vast amount of information one must master.  However, the study group offered a structured and timely approach that broke down the content into manageable sections.  It created a collaborative environment where participants could discuss challenging conceptions, share valuable meeting planning insights, and exchange effective memorization strategies. 

* Your Study Group had their weekly sessions on Zoom; what was that experience like for you?

The weekly zoom sessions made participation easy.  I could join the group while traveling or at home, increasing my opportunity to participate and benefit from the group discussions.  The zoom calls also provided a unique opportunity to build new connections within the MPI Georgia community – connections I likely wouldn’t have made if we hadn’t been on the CMP journey together.  Sharing this experience fostered a sense of camaraderie and collaboration that enriched my professional network.

* How did you feel when you saw the words "You Passed" ?

Seeing the word “Passed” was such a relief, followed by a sense of pride and accomplishment.  It reinforced that you can learn new skills and expand your potential at any stage of your career.

* Has having your CMP designation enhanced your position as a knowledgeable industry expert?

The CMP designation has been incredibly beneficial to me.  As meeting planning involves numerous intricate components, earning the certification has helped me gain a deeper understanding of areas I don’t engage with on a daily basis and how those various pieces of the puzzle fit together.  This expanded knowledge has also enabled me to ask more insightful and meaningful discovery questions when meeting with clients, ultimately leading to more effective planning and better outcomes.  

* Do you find information you learned while studying to take the exam helpful in your positions since earning your CMP and are you able to use some of the formulas, etc., to help guide meetings your clients' source?

The information has been very helpful and I’m able to ask more detailed questions with my clients so I can understand their needs more accurately. The formulas help me understand room capacities and similar concepts more accurately. 

* Reflecting on your having achieved the CMP designation, do you feel was it a good use of your time and resources to take that step?

Yes, I’m grateful I invested the time to achieve this goal. 

* Being our MPI Georgia Chapter's most recent CMP - and having taken the exam on March 31, the last day it was available before the EIC rolled out the "Beta Exam,"  how has that experience validated your dedication to professional development?

Earning the CMP designation provided me with a valuable opportunity to explore various facets of the meeting planning industry and gain a deeper understanding of the wide range of opportunities available within this career field. I am excited to continue advancing my knowledge and professional development by earning the Continuing Education hours each year to maintain my CMP status.

* What words of encouragement would you have for future CMP candidates?

Don’t allow yourself to give into test anxiety.  If you read the book, follow test-taking strategies (I made note cards, and digital test prep tools), and participate in the study group) you will do fine. Completing the exam will leave you feeling accomplished and fulfilled!