The Club Management Association of Europe (CMAE) is further enhancing its professional development pathway, reinforcing its alignment with the global gold standard in Club Management education: the internationally recognised Certified Club Manager (CCM) qualification.
Building on the continued success of CMAE’s education programmes and the growing global demand for internationally transferable credentials, CMAE is evolving its pathway to create even greater clarity, consistency, and recognition for Club Managers worldwide.
As part of this strategic development, the CCM Exam will transition to a globally standardised format of 400 multiple-choice questions, ensuring full alignment with CCM assessments worldwide. The Club Management Diploma (CMDip) will be successfully concluded, having played an important role as a developmental stepping stone within the CMAE pathway.
During 2026, the Management Development Programme (MDP) will transition into the Business Management Institute (BMI), aligning CMAE programme naming with the global family. During this transition year, the programme will be referred to as MDP/BMI, before fully becoming BMI, consistent with all regions worldwide.
CMAE CEO Torbjörn “Toby” Johansson commented: “The success of our MDPs, the strong uptake of the CCM Exam, and the growing international mobility of Club Managers have clearly shown that the time is right for this evolution. The CMDip has been a valuable and effective steppingstone in Club Management education, and we are proud of the role it has played in developing professionals across Europe and the Middle East.
To provide the very best opportunities for our members going forward, we are now fully aligning our pathway with the globally recognised CCM designation. This ensures our members benefit from a credential that is consistent, respected, and recognised anywhere in the world. Personal recognition for completing the first two weeks of training together with the Work-Based Assignment will continue, and the CCM exam will now mirror the testing format used globally. With more professionals moving across continents, it is essential that our programmes share a common language – and globally, that language is BMI.”
What This Means for CMAE Members
- CMDip graduates will continue to be recognised for their achievement for five years, reflecting the value and credibility of their qualification.
- CMDip graduates receives full support and clear guidance to successfully complete their CCM qualification.
- The new CCM Review Course provides structured, high-quality preparation for the industry’s most prestigious credential. The second intake in March 2026 is already fully booked, and CMAE is exploring opportunities to expand capacity to meet demand.
- Members already registered for the CCM Exam will sit the new globally aligned version from 2026 onwards, ensuring consistency and international recognition.
CMAE remains firmly committed to leading the way in Club Management education, delivering a clear, modern, and globally aligned professional pathway that is respected worldwide and truly career-defining.
