CMP Spotlight: September ReConnect

CMP Spotlight

Lisa Lisle, CMP

Conference and Event Manager, BMS, RE

We invited Lisa Lisle, CMP, a very recent new CMP who is a member of MPI Georgia Chapter and who participated in MPI Georgia Chapter’s Spring 2026 CMP Study Group, to share her experiences on earning her CMP designation with you.

If Lisa’s highlights inspire you to follow her example, please email connie@siteselectionsolutions.com for more information

Q: What motivated you to pursue the CMP designation?

Lisa: Earning my CMP was something I had thought about doing for years. I had already been working in meetings and events for a long time, and I wanted to challenge myself and also have a credential that reflected the experience and knowledge I had gained throughout my career. I also knew there were areas of the industry I didn’t work with every day, so I liked the idea of pushing myself to learn more and become a more well-rounded meeting professional.

Q: How did the MPI Georgia Chapter CMP Study Group support your preparation?

Lisa: The Study Group was probably one of the biggest reasons I stayed on track. There is A LOT of material to cover, and it can be a little overwhelming when you first look at everything. Having a weekly schedule helped break it down into something much more manageable. It was also really helpful to hear from other people in the industry. Everyone has different experiences and areas of expertise, so sometimes someone would explain something in a way that suddenly made it click. It also helped me figure out which areas I knew pretty well and which ones definitely needed some extra attention.

Q: What was your experience with the Study Group’s Zoom sessions?

Lisa: I actually loved having the sessions on Zoom. After working all day, the ability to go home and join from my computer made it much easier to commit to the Study Group every week. I don’t think we lost anything by meeting virtually. We still asked questions, talked through scenarios and got to know one another. For someone trying to fit studying into an already busy work and personal schedule, Zoom made the process much easier.

Q: How did you feel when you saw “You Passed”?

Lisa: Relieved! Very, very relieved! You spend so much time preparing, and then seeing the words “Passed” was a huge relief, but I was also really proud of myself. I had wanted to do it for a long time, so finally being able to say, “I did it,” felt pretty great.

Q: Has earning your CMP enhanced your credibility as an industry professional?

Lisa: I think it has. I had many years of experience before earning my CMP, and I don’t think a designation replaces hands-on experience, but it does add another level of credibility. It shows that you understand the industry beyond just the events you personally manage and that you have taken the time to learn established standards and best practices. I’m proud to have those three letters after my name.

Q: How have you applied what you learned while studying for the CMP?

Lisa: Definitely. One of the things I liked about studying for the CMP was that some topics were great refreshers, while others made me think about things differently. I use what I learned when I’m looking at budgets, contracts, food and beverage, room blocks, space requirements and risk management. The formulas and calculations are helpful too, particularly when you’re trying to determine quantities, evaluate costs or make sure the numbers behind an event actually make sense. I may not pull out every CMP formula every day, but I absolutely use the knowledge behind them.

Q: Looking back, was earning your CMP a good use of your time and resources?

Lisa: Absolutely. It was a commitment, especially trying to study while also managing a full schedule of meetings and events, but I’m very glad I did it. Even beyond earning the designation itself, I learned a lot during the process and refreshed knowledge that I hadn’t used in a while. I would definitely do it again.

Q: How has earning your CMP reinforced your commitment to professional development?

Lisa: One thing the process reminded me is that it doesn’t matter how many years you have been doing this — there is always more to learn. Our industry is constantly changing, and I think continuing to learn and challenge yourself is important. I’m very proud to be one of MPI Georgia Chapter’s newest CMPs, and earning it after being in the industry for many years made the accomplishment even more meaningful to me.

Q: What advice would you give to future CMP candidates?

Lisa: Just start! Don’t look at all of the material at once and convince yourself you’ll never learn it. Break it into smaller pieces, make a study schedule and stick with it. And definitely take advantage of a Study Group because having other people going through the same process makes a huge difference.

Most importantly, trust what you already know. If you’ve been working in meetings and events, you have more knowledge than you probably give yourself credit for. Study the areas you don’t know as well, keep practicing, and don’t talk yourself out of taking the exam because you don’t feel 100% ready.

And when you finally see “You Passed,” all of that studying will be worth it!

On behalf of the MPI Georgia Chapter’s CMP Study Group Committee, Gregg Lauer, CMP, Vice Chair of the Committee, and I say, “Bravo, Lisa!”

For more information on the CMP designation, please see the link below:

MPI Georgia Chapter CMP Study Group