Ch’ng Chor Ban’s CMP Journey – A Global Standard, A Strategic Mindset
With over a decade of industry and academic experience, Ch’ng Chor Ban pursued CMP to align his expertise with global standards. The journey strengthened his strategic, data-driven approach to event management, shaping him into a reflective practitioner and educator while championing continuous learning, sustainability, and higher professional standards in Malaysia’s evolving business events industry.
Ch’ng Chor Ban CMP, CEM, SEPC, DES
Senior Event Management Lecturer
School of Hospitality, Tourism and Events
Faculty of Social Sciences and Leisure Management
Taylor’s University
Could you share your journey towards becoming a CMP? What inspired you to pursue the certification, and how has it shaped your professional growth?
My journey towards becoming a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) was guided by a strong commitment to aligning my academic and industry practices with globally recognised competencies established by the Events Industry Council.
With over a decade of experience across event operations, strategic planning, and higher education, I recognised that the CMP International Standards provide a comprehensive body of knowledge covering 12 domains, including strategic planning, event design, risk management, and technology integration. This competency-based framework motivated me to formalise my expertise against global benchmarks.
The certification process strengthened my ability to approach events holistically, from discovery and needs assessment to evaluation and reporting, while reinforcing critical skills such as KPI development, stakeholder alignment, and data-driven decision-making. It has ultimately shaped my professional growth by positioning me as both a reflective practitioner and an educator grounded in international standards.
As a business owner and/or CMP holder, how has the certification added value to you both personally and professionally?
The CMP certification has added value by embedding a structured, standards-driven approach into my professional practice. It enhances my ability to design and deliver events that are not only operationally sound but also strategically aligned with organisational goals.
From a professional perspective, the CMP framework strengthens competencies across key domains such as stakeholder management, financial management, and sustainability and social impact, which are increasingly critical in today’s business events landscape. This enables me to contribute more effectively to industry initiatives, training programmes, and advisory roles, particularly through my involvement with Malaysian Association of Convention & Exhibition Organisers & Suppliers (MACEOS).
On a personal level, the certification reinforces a mindset of continuous professional development. It encourages me to remain agile and responsive to emerging trends such as digital transformation, sustainability practices aligned with SDGs, and inclusive event design.
How do you see the role of CMP evolving within Malaysia’s business events industry? Do you think it is gaining sufficient recognition?
The role of CMP in Malaysia is evolving in tandem with the increasing complexity and globalisation of the business events industry. As the industry shifts towards more strategic, data-driven, and experience-focused approaches, the CMP designation serves as a critical benchmark for professional competency.
The updated CMP International Standards emphasise emerging priorities such as technology integration, sustainability, and evaluation processes, reflecting the industry’s transition towards innovation, accountability, and measurable impact. These areas are particularly relevant to Malaysia as it strengthens its position as a regional business events hub.
While recognition of CMP is growing, there remains an opportunity to further institutionalise its value through stronger advocacy by industry associations, employers, and policymakers. Continued efforts by organisations like Malaysian Association of Convention & Exhibition Organisers & Suppliers will be key in positioning CMP as a standard for excellence rather than an optional credential.
What advice would you offer to professionals who are considering pursuing the CMP certification?
My advice is to approach the CMP certification as a strategic investment in your professional capability rather than simply a qualification.
The CMP International Standards outline a comprehensive competency framework encompassing 12 domains, 29 skills, and over 120 sub-skills. Therefore, candidates should focus on understanding how these domains apply to their real-world experience, particularly in areas such as event lifecycle management, risk mitigation, stakeholder engagement, and performance evaluation.
I would also encourage professionals to adopt a reflective approach, linking their practical experiences to the CMP body of knowledge, and identifying areas for growth. Engaging with industry networks and learning communities can further enhance this journey.
CMP is not just about achieving certification, but it is about developing a globally aligned mindset that enables you to deliver impactful, sustainable, and strategically driven events.
Last modified: 27/04/2026
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