EIC CMP Exam Questions

Correct answer: Convention centers

Convention centers serve as the venue for various types of gatherings, ranging from local and state-level meetings to regional, national, and even international events. These centers are often strategically situated in metropolitan or downtown areas, offering a convenient location for attendees. By being located in such areas, convention centers provide easy access to a multitude of hotels, restaurants, and attractions. This proximity to accommodations, dining options, and local attractions enhances the overall experience for attendees who are traveling to the destination for the event.

Assembly venues are often smaller and less equipped compared to convention centers, lacking extensive facilities and services for large-scale events. Meeting facilities generally refer to smaller, more confined spaces designed for business meetings rather than large conventions or diverse events. Event centers can host a variety of activities but do not specifically cater to the extensive needs of large-scale professional gatherings typically associated with convention centers.

Correct answer: Advertising

Advertising refers to the deliberate creation and communication of specific messages through mass media platforms to promote a product. Its primary objectives include informing, attracting, influencing, reminding, and retaining targeted audiences. However, in the context of marketing meetings, traditional advertising methods such as print, broadcast, and outdoor advertising are less frequently favored due to their high costs. Meeting professionals often explore alternative advertising approaches that offer cost-effective and targeted means to reach their intended audience.

A press release is typically used to announce specific news or events to the media and is not primarily aimed at direct product promotion. A product release involves launching a new product into the market, which includes, but is not limited to, advertising. Marketing encompasses a broader scope of activities, including market research, product pricing, and sales strategies, beyond just the promotional aspect covered by advertising.

Correct answer: Compliance risks

Organizations, particularly corporations, are obligated to adhere to governmental regulations in order to maintain compliance. This includes ensuring adherence to legal standards and fulfilling the necessary obligations set forth by regulatory bodies.

Compliance issues refer to specific problems or breaches in adhering to regulations, rather than the broader concept of risks. Compliance best practices are strategies and procedures that organizations implement to adhere to regulations, not the risks themselves. Compliance programs are structured plans and procedures designed to ensure regulatory adherence, rather than the risks posed by non-compliance.

Correct answer: A freight forwarding company

International shipping and exhibition freight handling can be quite complicated. It is wise to retain a freight forwarding company that is also a customs broker in order to ensure the international shipping process is smooth and successful. It is helpful if the freight forwarding company has experience in the country or countries where you will be exhibiting and has contact offices in your country and abroad.

Legal representatives, event planning companies, and attendees may all serve some role in planning an international event, but none of these can ensure that the international shipping process is smooth and successful.

Correct answer: Establishing learning objectives

Training is important to provide to staff and volunteers in order to provide skills acquisition and the opportunity to improve one's capacity to perform a job. Learning objectives are a critical first step to ensure that the training program is designed around what you want the audience to get out of it.

All participants should be trained no matter how many there are. Training can be done at a very low cost, usually for free if the event planner or other members of the organization are providing it, so the need to gather sufficient funds is irrelevant. Staff and volunteers should be notified that there is a training, but advertising is not necessarily needed.

Correct answer: To cater to the diverse characteristics and needs of the audience

Audience fragmentation occurs when meetings serve multiple audiences or when the audience profile is highly diverse. To mitigate fragmentation, meeting professionals can employ various strategies. Three effective considerations include addressing cultural differences, catering to different generational needs, and leveraging appropriate technologies.

Addressing the diverse needs of the leadership team, workers, or the meeting professionals specifically does not directly resolve the issue of audience fragmentation, which is focused on the broader attendee base.

Correct answer: In an easily accessible location

A communication plan, developed in the planning phase of the event, guides the project manager and stakeholders throughout the life of the project. It should be reviewed and approved by key stakeholders and then made available in an easily accessible location so team members can reference it often.

As stated above, the communication plan should be accessible, so a password might not be necessary or practical. The communication plan does not, however, need to be placed in attendees' welcome packets as attendees are not interested in the ways and methods of communication between staff members. The communication plan needs to be in places other than by fire extinguishers, as communication will occur throughout the event and not only in the case of a fire.

Correct answer: Evaluations are a one-time process

On the contrary, evaluations should be viewed as an ongoing process in order to assess the history of the event, determine where it is in the present, and decide where it should head in the future. For recurring events, consistent evaluation formats can even allow event planners to compare results over time.

Evaluations serve as historical records, providing documentation that helps in planning future events and understanding past decisions. Evaluating events can indeed be time-consuming due to the detailed analysis required to measure various aspects effectively. Evaluations are essential for recording both successes and challenges, which helps in refining event strategies and improving future outcomes.

Correct answer: Communication flow

The communication flow refers to how information or content is exchanged between the speaker and the audience. The room setup plays a crucial role in shaping the communication flow, which can be categorized as one-way, two-way, or multidirectional, based on the level of interaction and engagement between the speaker and the audience.

The term "Information exchange model" suggests a theoretical framework rather than the practical dynamics of interaction at an event. "Audience interaction loop" implies a continuous cycle of feedback which, while related, does not directly address the broader concept of how communication is structured in a live setting. "Communication spectrum" might hint at the variety of communication types but does not specifically refer to the interaction flows influenced by event setup.

Correct answer: Event Specification Guide (ESG)

An Event Specification Guide (ESG), also known as a staging guide, is a comprehensive document that contains essential information for the meeting professional, venue, and other vendors or partners involved in the event. Its purpose is to provide all necessary details and specifications in a single resource.

An event coordination handbook sounds useful but typically refers to a more generalized guide for event planning rather than a document specifically detailing venue and vendor information. A venue and vendor directory lists venues and vendors but may lack the comprehensive event-specific details found in an ESG. The meeting professional handbook is likely a broad resource for meeting professionals covering various topics but is not specifically focused on the detailed specifications for a particular event.

Correct answer: No later than 24 hours before the start of the event

You should hold a pre-conference meeting no later than 24 hours before the start of the event with venue representatives and key suppliers to review the event specifications guide. This is the same no matter if the event lead time is 18 months, 12 months, or four months.

A pre-conference meeting held too early may miss last-minute changes, making it essential to schedule it close to the event's start.

Correct answer: Better-than-average insurance premiums

In an effective stakeholder approach, event professionals take into account their responsibilities to others and adopt a consultive demeanor, including stakeholders in the event's decision-making process. This type of approach can lead to many benefits for an organization including attracting and retaining employees, suppliers, and customers, supporting a strong organizational image, and supporting the budget. Better-than-average insurance premiums are not necessarily an advantage to using a stakeholder approach.

Attracting employees is beneficial as it enhances staffing quality and stability, which are direct outcomes of a positive organizational reputation fostered by good stakeholder relations. Supporting a strong organizational image is a clear result of effectively managing and valuing stakeholder relationships, as it boosts public perception and trust. Supporting the budget through stakeholder engagement helps in aligning resources and efforts efficiently, which can lead to cost savings and optimized spending.

Correct answer: An on-site communication plan

The ability to communicate effectively with your staff, outside suppliers, clients, attendees, and other stakeholders while on-site is very important for executing a successful event. An on-site communication plan can help you manage on-site operations more effectively as it allows you to communicate easily with various people involved in an event.

While an understanding audience can contribute to smoother operations, they are not a tool for managing activities on-site. Experienced event staff are crucial for successful event execution but are part of, not a substitute for, a comprehensive communication plan. An excellent Event Specifications Guide (ESG) provides detailed information but doesn't replace the need for a dynamic, real-time communication strategy.

Correct answer: Price

When organizing a meeting, the price of attendance encompasses registration fees (if applicable), as well as all associated expenses for accommodation and travel. Meeting organizers employ established financial principles to determine the pricing of meetings while taking into account production costs and incorporating necessary profit margins or desired retained earnings.

Registration specifically covers the process of signing up for the event, not the broader costs associated with attendance. Margins refer to financial profitability metrics, not direct attendee costs. Earnings relate to the financial outcomes for the event organizers, not the expenses incurred by attendees.

Correct answer: Attendees

Contracts define the rights and duties of the contracting parties. Contracts should be obtained from every supplier engaged including audiovisual companies, transportation providers, and entertainers. Contracts do not need to be obtained from attendees, as they are not supplying any services.

Audiovisual companies, transportation providers, and entertainers are all service providers who play crucial roles in the execution of an event, necessitating formal agreements to specify the terms of service, responsibilities, and expectations. These contracts ensure clarity and legal protection for both the event organizers and the service providers.

Correct answer: Measurement

Measurement involves employing various methods to assess the value and impact of individual meetings or a group of related meetings. For effective portfolio management, meeting professionals must measure the outcomes and performance of individual meetings using diverse evaluation approaches. These methods can encompass quantitative metrics, such as attendance numbers, financial data, and participant surveys, as well as qualitative assessments, such as feedback from key stakeholders and qualitative analysis of meeting objectives. By conducting comprehensive measurements, meeting professionals can gather valuable insights that inform decision-making, drive continuous improvement, and enable informed portfolio management based on the demonstrated value and effectiveness of each meeting.

Meeting assessment refers to a general evaluation of a meeting but does not necessarily encompass the broad range of methods used in measurement. Impact analysis focuses specifically on the effects and outcomes of a meeting, often in a narrower context. Meeting evaluation is a more generic term that does not capture the comprehensive, systematic approach of measurement which includes various evaluation methods and metrics.

Correct answer: Non-traditional venues

Meeting professionals often consider non-traditional venues to host unique meetings and events. These venues can include cruise ships, museums, zoos, movie theaters, libraries, restaurants, and universities. Opting for a non-traditional venue can add an interesting and distinctive element to an event, but it can also present its own set of challenges. Careful consideration is required when selecting such venues to ensure they meet the specific requirements and logistics of the event.

Specialized spaces typically refer to venues designed for specific purposes or industries but may not offer the unique and distinctive settings of non-traditional venues. Unconventional venues is a broader term that can include any non-standard event location but does not specifically highlight the unique character of places like museums or cruise ships. Unique event locations emphasize the distinctiveness of a venue but do not necessarily imply that these locations are rarely used for meetings and events, as non-traditional venues do.

Correct answer: Search engine optimization

In today's digital landscape, the term Search Engine Optimization (SEO) refers to the practice of crafting written content, including press releases, blog posts, and web articles with a strategic use of keywords. This technique is pivotal for improving visibility in search engine results, attracting attention from users, and enhancing online discoverability. By integrating specific keywords that align with what potential readers are searching for, communicators can significantly increase the likelihood of their content being featured prominently on search engine platforms, thereby engaging a broader audience.

Content marketing involves creating and distributing valuable, relevant, and consistent content to attract and retain a clearly defined audience, but it is broader than the specific use of keywords for search engine optimization. Social media posts are part of an online strategy to engage audiences on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, and while they can be optimized for search, they are not primarily known for their SEO impact. A media kit is a package of information provided to the press or stakeholders, which includes various materials about a company or event but is not specifically crafted for optimizing search engine visibility.

Correct answer: Managing teams

Managing teams is a vital aspect of the event industry. Collaborative teams play a crucial role in accomplishing essential tasks that would be impossible to complete individually. The diverse perspectives within a team can foster innovation and inspire exceptional experiences. Effective team management entails clear orientation and guidance from leaders. They can assign roles and responsibilities while ensuring clarity and direction for the team members.

Managing groups refers to overseeing multiple people but does not emphasize the collaborative and guided approach of team management. Managing individuals focuses on one-on-one supervision and guidance rather than fostering team collaboration. Managing leaders involves overseeing those in leadership roles but does not encompass the direct orientation and guidance provided to a team. Managing teams specifically requires leaders to provide clear orientation and guidance to ensure cohesive and effective teamwork.

Correct answer: Orientation

Orientation is an essential part of training staff and volunteers. Orientation helps employees understand how the organization works and suggests a pointing out of one's location relative to the surroundings. It often includes important information regarding the event, including the mission statement of the organization, applicable legislation, and meeting agenda.

Training sessions focus on skill development rather than organizational and event-specific information. Job descriptions provide roles and responsibilities but exclude details about specific events or legal compliance. Initial interviews typically cover the organization's mission broadly, without delving into the specifics of legal requirements or detailed event agendas.