Congratulations to recent CEM graduate Melissa Badami, CEM, CMP, CGMP on becoming a #CEM gamechanger! Read why she believes taking online #CEM courses gave her a greater understanding of a variety of topics and how she’ll apply her training to virtual events and future in-person shows beyond COVID-19.
Hometown: Stafford
How has the CEM designation helped in your career?
It gives me recognition of my skill level and education in my career field.
Why is it important to maintain the CEM designation?
The industry is ever changing, maintaining the CEM designation and the required commitment to industry knowledge will keep my job performance and employer competitive in the marketplace.
What made you want to obtain your CEM designation?
To give me a deep understanding and larger breadth of knowledge in the exhibits industry, and ultimately make me better in my chosen career field.
What advice would you give to an aspiring individual who wants to apply for the CEM program?
Do it! You will not regret it.
How did you start your career in this industry?
It was a path lead by my innate abilities, that started in the travel and tourism field, combined with event planner and sales skills that lead me to becoming a CEM.
How have you made a difference with your show or with working with a client by applying the knowledge you gained by obtaining your CEM designation?
One of my current clients was looking for an AMC that could help grow their annual trade show, and our company’s experience in association management and my deeper understanding through CEM training, we were able to put together a plan that was what they were looking for, even after the need to pivot to a virtual event.
What was it that you did or implemented right after obtaining your CEM?
A more clear analysis of future shows, giving me more confidence in the critical path of my events.
What did you like most about the CEM Learning Program?
Due to Covid, I took my courses online and I would not have gone that path otherwise. In the end, I’m glad I did; the ability to see the instructors replies and suggestions to other students excesses answers, literally wowed me a few times. Their take and experience opened my eyes to think in a different way with a couple topics. I don’t know if some of this information would have come out in a class room setting.
