CPSM Certification

What is a CPSM?

A Certified Professional Services Marketer (CPSM) is an individual recognized for having successfully passed a rigorous certification exam that tests a high standard of experience and expertise in marketing professional services. This voluntary certification program is completely designed and created for the advancement of A/E/C firm marketing and business development professionals. By earning the CPSM credentials, you have a demonstrated high level of understanding of the essential marketing skills and know-how to distinguish your firm (and yourself) to be among the very best in the A/E/C industry.

Why is CPSM certification valuable?

CPSM Certification Infographic

It helps to establish credibility and distinction for marketing professionals amongst your peers, colleagues and competitors. As a marketer, business developer, or the employer of one, certification will help you take your organization to the next level.

CPSM Testimonials

We work in an industry where education matters. The A/E/C industry has an expectation that its technical professionals maintain the highest level of education and credentialing available to them, and they should expect no less of their support staff. Marketing, business development, and communications professionals achieving their CPSM status shows a commitment to the highest level of continuing education available, and a dedication to staying current on best practices and innovations in our field. — Melissa Rysak, CPSM

+ More testimonials

The benefits of being a CPSM loom large in my long career. I was among the first to be accredited and so have reaped benefits for a long time. The knowledge gained from studying and talking about the exam with fellow marketers is a huge advantage in one’s day-to-day work life. But perhaps the most important benefit for me was the confidence it gave me that I had a wealth of knowledge under my belt that helped me every single working day and that I knew how to augment if I needed more information. — Jan Kopple, CPSM

Not having had formal training in marketing or business development before jumping into the A/E/C industry, the CPSM certification process helped bring all the best practices knowledge together and make it “gel”. It gave me a structured, organized way to approach marketing and business development. It has also elevated my professional stature in the industry and helped me move into a higher level role with a new company. — Andreina Perez, LEED AP, CPSM

Much like our professional colleagues that obtain the status of a Registered Architect or a Professional Engineer, marketing and business development personnel have the ability to demonstrate our knowledge and understanding of the basics of our profession. For us marketers, that is through the obtaining of the Certified Professional Services Marketer designation. Becoming a CPSM projects a definitive level of credibility to our superiors as well as the highest level of respect among our peers – and I experienced that directly. Although I may have had the respect of my technical peers through my PE registration, it was not until I received my CPSM that I truly obtained the marketing credibility that I felt I deserved. Additionally, as a required prerequisite, it also allowed me to fulfill one of my personal career goals of becoming a Fellow within SMPS – a goal that I obtained in 2010. So, for marketers that want to advance their career and obtain more respect – as well as just expand their knowledge and understanding of the marketing profession, the CPSM designation is the most important step. — William Long, PE, FSMPS, CPSM

+ SMPS Philadelphia's CPSM Members

Brian J. Bass, CPSM
Philip Bannan, CPSM
Sandra Bones, CPSM
Bridget Bonner, CPSM
Katie Boova, CPSM
Susan Buchanan, CPSM
Dana Buttorff, CPSM
Amy Caldwell, CPSM
Katie Craven, CPSM
Ellen Davis, CPSM
Sandra Drain, CPSM
David Eckard, CPSM

Corey Fenwick, CPSM
Christine Ferrazzano, CPSM
Laura Frein, CPSM
Jonathan Goldberg, CPSM
Nicole Healy, CPSM
Andreina Hein, LEED AP, CPSM
Robert Heist, CPSM
Andrew Katz, CPSM
Janice Kopple, CPSM
Kathy Kostiuk, CPSM
Janine La Marca, CPSM
William Long, PE, FSMPS, CPSM

Joshua Martin, CPSM
Kayla McCause, CPSM
Afton Pascal, CPSM
Elizabeth Paul, CPSM
Kate Petrovich, CPSM
Melissa Rysak, CPSM
Michelle Ann Santoro, CPSM
Bridget Shane, CPSM
Darcy Veneziale, CPSM
Dorothy Verdon, CPSM
Wendy Wark, CPSM
Matt Wittemann, CPSM

Exam & Certification Requirements:

The 150-question, multiple-choice exam — based on a practice analysis commissioned by SMPS. Candidates must achieve a 74 percent score or higher to pass. There are certain professional and educational eligibility requirements associated with the exam.

More About the CPSM Application & Eligibility

Six Domains of Practice

Marketing Research
Marketing Planning
Client & Business Development
Proposals
Promotional Activity
Management

How can I learn more?

SMPS Philadelphia offers you the guidance and support you need to pursue your CPSM and prepare for the exam. Our Chapter strongly encourages its members to take advantage of the program. Through our CPSM Boot Camp, you also learn from one another and strengthen peer to peer relationships while doing so!

CPSM Boot Camp Schedule

Each year, SMPS Philadelphia offers a six-session CPSM Bootcamp (plus two study sessions) to help those interested in obtaining their CPSM Certification review and study for the exam. Information about the next boot camp will be sent to all members and non-members in our database.

+ SMPS Philadelphia's 2020 CPSM Boot Camp Schedule

Boot Camp will be held at McCormick Taylor: 1818 Market Street, 16th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19103

Date	Time	Domain
2/4/20	12 – 1:30 PM	Domain 1: Marketing Research
2/28/20	12 – 1:30 PM	Domain 2: Marketing Planning
3/3/20	12 – 1:30 PM	Domain 3: Client & Business Development
3/17/20	12 – 1:30 PM	Domain 4: Proposals
4/7/20	12 – 1:30 PM	Domain 5: Promotional Activity
4/21/20	12 – 1:30 PM	Domain 6: Management
5/5/20	12 – 1:30 PM	Study Session
5/19/20	12 – 1:30 PM	Study Session

Kelly McGann Path to Certification Scholarship

The SMPS Philadelphia Chapter is pleased to offer a CPSM (Certified Professional Services Marketer) scholarship for 2020. The scholarship named in honor of Kelly McGann, CPSM, will be awarded to an eligible SMPS Chapter member who is committed to obtaining the CPSM certification in 2020. Valued at $800, the scholarship consists of the Boot Camp Fee, Application Fee, Online Exam Fee*, and SMPS suggested reading materials.

*The Exam fee reimbursement will be contingent on passing the exam (by December 31, 2020)

More About The CPSM Program

Recipient must meet all eligibility requirements and submission requests. Priority will be given to applicants based on their length of membership, level of activity and involvement within the chapter, and plans for continued growth and involvement with SMPS and in promoting the CPSM program. Selection will be made by the current Chapter Board, a representative from the Chapter Past Presidents, and the Chapter Champion at the time of judging. Current board members who wish to apply must excuse themselves from the vote.

Apply Now for 2020 Kelly McGann Path to Certification Scholarship

The submission shall be made via email to Darcy Veneziale by 5:30 p.m. on Friday, January 10, 2020. Late applications will not be considered. The scholarship winner will be notified by January 17, 2020 and publicly announced January 30, 2020 at the Philly’s Phinest Marketing Communications Awards.

Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to participate in the CPSM Webinar Information Session to be held December 12, 2019.

Download The Scholarship Application

Scholarship Eligibility Criteria

+ View details

Must meet eligibility criteria for SMPS CPSM Certification per SMPS
Must have been an SMPS Philadelphia Chapter Member for at least one (1) full membership year and be a current Chapter Member in good standing at the time of application and throughout the disbursement of the scholarship funds if awarded
Must submit the following information for consideration
- Name, Role/Title, firm name, contact information, membership origination date
- Current resume
- Summary of SMPS activities and involvement with the Philadelphia Chapter to date
- Responses to the following questions:
  - Why do you want to pursue CPSM certification?
  - What do you hope to gain from participating in the boot camp and attaining your CPSM certification?
  - How have you benefited from SMPS and the Philadelphia Chapter to date?
  - How do you plan to give back to SMPS and the Philadelphia Chapter after obtaining your CPSM certification?
- Letter from your supervisor supporting your pursuit of the CPSM certification and your attendance at the Boot Camp in the Spring of 2020
- A statement committing to becoming involved in promoting the CPSM program within the Philadelphia chapter if awarded the scholarship
Must commit to participating in the Philadelphia Chapter CPSM Boot Camp Sessions to be scheduled in Spring 2020 held at McCormick Taylor offices in Philadelphia, PA (February – April, 12:30 – 1:30 PM)
Must commit to taking the CPSM exam by December 31, 2020

Darcy Veneziale, CPSM, Education/Certification Director

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215-238-1644