PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Each Branch conducts a series of professional development activities including: Conferences, Seminars, Breakfast and Luncheon meetings, Branch meetings and Workshops These cover a variety of technical, management and interpersonal topics. These are priced most competitively and ACS members usually pay $AU200 less for fee paying activities than non-members. For information on Branch activities contact your local Branch. ACS conducts a certification program which enables Members with specialist skills and knowledge to be recognised as CMACS - Certified Member of ACS. Specialist areas include Systems Integration, Project Management, Systems Planning and I.T. Management. This is a distance education program. Certification examinations are held in February and August of each year commencing in February 1994. ACS also conducts the Practising Computer Professional PCP) scheme, which recognises those members who undertake at least 30 hours each year of continuing professional development.