If you’re pursuing your CMP, you may be all too familiar with imposter syndrome; Alexandra Carvalho, CMP, says that when she was working towards the esteemed designation, she certainly was. “But,” she says, “the biggest thing is to have confidence that you can do it. In reality, the fears that come with imposter syndrome could not be farther from the truth.”
She learned of the CMP early on in her career in the meetings and events industry. At that time, she says, “I felt like I had to earn my stripes before pursuing it.” After a few years, she began to prepare. “When I saw the ‘Pass’ on the screen, it was a great moment of accomplishment for me. We all know we can do the job, and do it well, but having those three little letters after your name shouts it out to the rest of the world, and shows you are committed to your industry and your craft.”
Preparing for the Exam
Since the start, Carvalho has been committed to self-education in the events industry. She stays engaged by joining industry associations and local chapter boards as well as reading industry publications. “Attending flagship events like PCMA Convening Leaders and MPI WEC has been instrumental in staying current on the latest trends in learning, technology, and the overall landscape,” she says.
Most impactful, she says, has been learning from her peers: “industry legends and mentors,” she calls them. Their guidance has pushed her beyond her comfort zone. “It has not only shaped me professionally but has also contributed significantly to my personal growth.”
When it came time to study, those peer relationships proved instrumental. Like many CMPs, Carvalho found joining a study group key to her success.
To study on her own, she found reviewing the CMP books and CMP study tools from PCMA and MPI incredibly helpful. “Summarizing chapters in the CMP books helped me a lot,” she says. “I would study a chapter, make notes, and then summarize what I had read. Then, I would just have to go back and read my summaries when preparing for the exam.”
All-important when it comes to preparing for the exam, Carvalho says, “Don’t doubt yourself, what you know or your abilities. Have confidence and surround yourself with people who will cheer you on, encourage you, and help you get to this goal.”
Where is She Now?
Today, Carvalho serves as senior event manager, national sales events at Kaiser Permanente.
“The energy of an event day is my secret fuel,” says Carvalho. “From the tight-knit camaraderie within my team, the quiet hum of the hotel staff, the energy of the production crew and the excitement among the attendees, all this energy under one roof is where I thrive best.”
Growing up, she imagined she would one day become a fashion designer. That passion for style never went away. “I focus on creating curated experiences, refined spaces, and ensuring a sense of exclusivity, and inclusivity, for attendees,” she says. “Design guides my approach to event management. Whether it’s the dynamics of learning, socializing or networking, the deliberate infusion of design elements remains a constant.”
Once, her team planned a community health summit in San Francisco. They transformed the first floor into a mini city, complete with a theater, pharmacy, farmers market, health clinic and school. “Seeing the faces of attendees coming down from sessions upstairs, entering the experiential floor and engaging with all the elements was a highlight of my career, and a true testament to the incredible work of both my team and our partners,” says Carvalho.
Each time they organize an event, her team has begins preparing far ahead of time, meeting weekly and going through various processes and templates and ensuring they are all aligned on their progress. They assist each other in their roles if anyone needs help. Onsite, they use a comprehensive ops document, which, Carvalho says, details “each and every aspect of every part of the event.”
Post-event, her team attends a debrief with their sponsoring executives to discuss the event that took place, its impact and its legacy for the organization.
Looking Forward
Carvalho says that the events industry’s resilience is a constant source of inspiration, especially in recent years. “I see so many new faces, rock stars in their own right, starting to make an impact in the industry. It’s inspiring.”
Being a past chapter president for PCMA Northern California Chapter, she sees an infusion of new ideas, and new ways to engage via this energetic group of emerging professionals. “It makes me excited about the future. What will they do? How will they use technology to enhance and change the attendee experience? I’m excited to be a part of that.”
Her favorite quote perfectly sums up both her journey of earning the CMP and her philosophy around event planning: Erin Hanson wrote, “’What if I fall?’ ‘Oh, but my darling, what if you fly?’”
To Carvalho, this quote captures the essence of overcoming fear when faced with a challenge. “Often, we restrain ourselves from venturing into new experiences or making significant changes due to the fear of failure or the unknown,” says Carvalho. “This quote serves as a powerful reminder that our strength, resilience, and knowledge far surpass our self-perceived limitations.
“It encourages us to challenge ourselves, take risks, and recognize our inherent capabilities. Sometimes it takes a voice from the outside to remind us of how brave, special, and capable we are, and those are the people we want by our sides.”
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