Events Industry Council

What Events Industry Council does

Events Industry Council (EIC) is a nonprofit 501(c)(6) industry association founded in 1951 and headquartered in Washington, DC, that operates as the global umbrella body for the business events industry. EIC functions through a coalition of 33 member organizations collectively representing over 103,500 individuals across 19,500 firms, with operations spanning more than 40 countries where its Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) credential is recognized. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors drawn from its member associations and led day-to-day by President and CEO Amy Calvert.

EIC's core offering is the CMP certification program, in market for more than 30 years and relaunched in 2025 aligned with updated 2025 CMP International Standards (CMP-IS). The product portfolio includes the CMP Learning Portal (Learning Builder LMS), CMP Scholarship Programme, CMP Fellows Programme, and a CMP Healthcare specialty track, alongside sustainability offerings (Foundations Certificate in Sustainability, Sustainable Event Professional Certificate, Sustainable Event Standards) developed through the Centre for Sustainability and Social Impact. Research products include the Global Economic Significance of Business Events Study produced in partnership with Oxford Economics covering 180+ countries, Quarterly Event Barometers, the annual Futures Landscape Report, and the APEX industry-standards framework.

Revenue is generated through a mix of channels: subscription-based membership dues from 33 association members and corporate members, one-time application and exam fees for CMP certification, transaction revenue from event registrations (Global Awards Gala, Hall of Leaders, CMP Advance, GMID, webinars) and publications sold through a Shopify storefront (eic-publications.myshopify.com), and corporate sponsorship from strategic partners including Hilton, MGM Resorts International, IMEX Group, Encore, Caesars Entertainment, Freeman, and The Venetian Resort Las Vegas. Distribution occurs primarily through EIC's owned digital properties (eventscouncil.org, eic-publications.myshopify.com, cmpjobs.eventscouncil.org, insights.eventscouncil.org) and its 33-member organization network, which functions as a reseller channel reaching the broader professional base.

Name

Events Industry Council

Legal name

Events Industry Council

Website

https://eventscouncil.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1951

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Events Industry Council is a nonprofit 501(c)(6) association serving as the global umbrella body for the business events industry, operating the premier CMP certification across 40+ countries and the Global Economic Significance Study with Oxford Economics.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Certification and Industry Association Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Professional Organizations (81392)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Association & Society Conference Management (Nonprofit, Professional Bodies) (THAHACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Sponsorship, Exhibitor & Partnership Management Services (THAHACAK), Conferences & Conventions Operations Services (Registration, AV, Logistics) (MPAGAGAM)

Keywords

• Professional certification programs
• Industry standards framework
• Business events research
• Meeting professional credentials
• Event industry advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: EIC collects membership fees from association and corporate members, providing member benefits in exchange for membership payments. Membership enables access to certification directories, collaboration portals, and member meetings.
2. CMP Certification: Revenue generated from CMP certification applications, exam fees, and certification verification services. The CMP credential is the premier certification for meeting professionals globally.
3. Publications and Store: Sale of CMP study materials, publications, and event-related products through the EIC publications store (eic-publications.myshopify.com).
4. Event Registration: Registration fees for events including Global Meetings Industry Day, Hall of Leaders celebrations, EIC Global Awards, CMP Advance, and webinars.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Events Industry Council (EIC) is the global non-profit association for the business events industry, delivering the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) certification program, sustainability standards, industry research, and advocacy initiatives. It operates as a coalition of 33 member organizations representing over 103,500 industry professionals across 19,500 firms, with CMPs certified in more than 40 countries. EIC sells certifications, publications, event registrations, and corporate memberships while publishing the Global Economic Significance of Business Events Study in partnership with Oxford Economics.

Product overview

Events Industry Council offers a portfolio of professional certification programs, industry standards frameworks, research publications, and advocacy initiatives for the global business events industry. The core offering is the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) certification program, supported by the CMP Learning Portal, CMP Scholarship Programme, and CMP Fellows Programme for advanced recognition. The organization provides comprehensive sustainability frameworks through the Centre for Sustainability and Social Impact, including the Sustainable Event Standards, Foundations Certificate, and Sustainable Event Professional Certificate (SEPC). Research products include the annual Global Economic Significance of Business Events Study with Oxford Economics, Quarterly Event Barometers, and the Futures Landscape Report. Additional programs include the APEX standards framework, Career Centre job platform, Knowledge Hub with on-demand content, EIC Global Awards, Hall of Leaders, and Global Meetings Industry Day advocacy initiative.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) Certification Flagship professional certification for meeting professionals, globally recognised as the standard of excellence in the business events profession. The credential demonstrates mastery of industry knowledge, ethical standards, and commitment to ongoing professional development.
• CMP Fellows Programme Distinguished peer-recognised designation for tenured CMP professionals whose careers reflect sustained commitment to excellence and long-term contributions to the global business events industry. Multiple classes have been inducted since 2022, including 72 professionals in the 2026 class.
• CMP Scholarship Programme
• CMP Healthcare Specialised certification track within the CMP programme designed for healthcare meeting professionals.
• Sustainable Event Professional Certificate (SEPC) Advanced professional certification for event professionals demonstrating expertise in sustainable event planning and execution.
• Foundations Certificate in Sustainability Entry-level certification introducing fundamental concepts of sustainability in event planning.
• Centre for Sustainability and Social Impact (CSE) Comprehensive sustainability initiative transforming the global meetings industry through standards, certifications, and resources for sustainable event practices.
• Sustainable Event Standards Comprehensive standards for planning and executing sustainable events, developed in partnership with JMIC for global event industry adoption.
• Global Economic Significance of Business Events Study Comprehensive research study produced in association with Oxford Economics, measuring the scale, scope, and impact of business events worldwide across more than 180 countries.
• Quarterly Event Barometers Quarterly economic barometer reports tracking global business events performance and recovery indicators, including RFP activity and hotel group room nights.
• Futures Landscape Report Annual research report exploring macro forces shaping the global business events industry, identifying 12 key forces influencing sector evolution.
• Career Centre Online job board and career resources connecting business events professionals with job opportunities and career development resources.
• Knowledge Hub Educational content platform providing on-demand webinars, EIC Advance Collections, and industry resources for professional development.
• EIC Global Awards Annual awards programme celebrating individuals and organisations shaping the future of the global business events industry.
• Hall of Leaders Premier recognition programme in its 41st year honouring individuals who have made significant, long-term contributions to the global business events industry.
• EIC Store Online storefront selling CMP study materials, handbooks, and EIC publications.
• Association and Corporate Memberships Membership programmes for industry associations and corporate organisations providing access to collaboration portals, certification directories, and member meetings.

Quantifiable outcome

• Business events generated US$1.3 trillion in direct spending in 2025, representing a 12.2% increase over 2019 levels
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• Oxford EconomicscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary research partner for the Global Economic Significance of Business Events Study. Produces comprehensive analysis of industry scale, scope, and impact across 180+ countries. Partnership includes quarterly Global Business Events Barometer and long-term forecasting.
• Meeting Professionals International (MPI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal Visionary Sponsor for the 2026 Economic Significance Study. MPI is the world's largest association of meeting professionals with 17,000 members in 75+ countries. Represents a key member organization and research contributor.
• Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal Visionary Sponsor for the 2026 Economic Significance Study. PCMA is the world's largest community for business events strategists with members in 59 countries and 17 North American chapters.
• HiltonflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic Partner and Corporate Sponsor. Contributed to the 2026 Economic Significance Study as Founding Sponsor. Hilton is also a key supporter of Global Meetings Industry Day and industry advocacy efforts.
• IMEX GroupflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic Partner and Founding Sponsor of the 2026 Economic Significance Study. IMEX is also a co-creator of the CONVENE4CLIMATE sustainability initiative and supports the IMEX-EIC Award.
• MGM Resorts InternationalflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic Partner and Founding Sponsor of the 2026 Economic Significance Study. Major venue partner for industry events including the Global Awards Gala.
• EncoreflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic Partner and Corporate Sponsor. Major events industry supplier supporting EIC initiatives and research.
• American Legion Hotels (ALHI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic Partner and Corporate Sponsor supporting EIC programs and initiatives.
• Oak View GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic Partner and Corporate Sponsor supporting EIC programs and initiatives.
• AmadeuscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerContributor to the 2026 Global Economic Significance of Business Events Study.
• CventcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerContributor to the 2026 Global Economic Significance of Business Events Study.
• GainingEdgecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerContributor to the 2026 Global Economic Significance of Business Events Study.
• Caesars EntertainmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding Sponsor of the 2026 Global Economic Significance of Business Events Study.
• FreemancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding Sponsor of the 2026 Global Economic Significance of Business Events Study.
• Javits CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding Sponsor of the 2026 Global Economic Significance of Business Events Study.
• Los Angeles Tourism and Convention BoardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding Sponsor of the 2026 Global Economic Significance of Business Events Study.
• The mci GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding Sponsor of the 2026 Global Economic Significance of Business Events Study.
• Resorts World Las VegascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding Sponsor of the 2026 Global Economic Significance of Business Events Study.
• Society of Independent Show Organisers (SISO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding Sponsor of the 2026 Global Economic Significance of Business Events Study.
• SITE FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding Sponsor of the 2026 Global Economic Significance of Business Events Study.
• U.S. Travel AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding Sponsor of the 2026 Global Economic Significance of Business Events Study.
• The Venetian Resort Las VegascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding Sponsor of the 2026 Global Economic Significance of Business Events Study.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Meeting Professionals International (MPI): World's largest association of meeting professionals with 17,000+ members in 75+ countries. Directly comparable as a membership association serving the same meeting professional persona, offering its own CMM certification, education, and events that overlap with EIC's CMP and advocacy programs.
• Society of Incentive & Travel Executives (SITE): Global association for the incentive travel and meetings industry. Comparable as a peer membership association serving overlapping corporate buyer personas, with its own CIS certification and incentive-focused research that competes with EIC's CMP and SEPC programs.
• Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA): Global community for business events strategists with members in 59 countries. Comparable as a peer industry association offering education, Convening Leaders flagship event, and credentialing that competes for the same member mindshare and corporate sponsorship dollars as EIC.
• International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA): Global association for the international meetings industry. Comparable as a peer membership association focused on association/government meetings, with research and rankings that overlap with EIC's Oxford Economics studies and compete for the same international association members.
• Society of Independent Show Organizers (SISO): Membership community for independent exhibition and conference organizers. Comparable as a peer association within the EIC coalition, focused on a specific organizer segment that overlaps with EIC's industry advocacy and education programs.
• International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE): Association serving exhibition and event organizers worldwide. Comparable as a peer membership body within the same EIC coalition, offering its own CEM certification, Expo! Expo! event, and advocacy that overlap directly with EIC's exhibitions and conventions scope.
• UFI, The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry: Global trade association for exhibition organizers, venue operators, and service providers. Comparable as a peer international association serving the exhibitions segment of the same broader business events industry, with overlapping research, standards, and advocacy functions.

Broad incumbents

• U.S. Travel Association: National umbrella organization representing all components of the U.S. travel industry. Comparable as a broader-incumbent advocacy and research body whose scope (corporate travel, meetings, conventions) overlaps with EIC's business events focus, and which is also a strategic research sponsor of EIC.
• American Society of Association Executives (ASAE): Largest U.S. membership organization serving the association management profession. Comparable as a broader-incumbent trade body whose members include association executives running organizations like EIC's 33 member associations, providing overlapping CAE certification and management education.

Others

• Joint Meetings Industry Council (JMIC): International umbrella council of 25+ meetings industry associations, including EIC member organizations. Comparable as an adjacent peer that co-develops the Sustainable Event Standards with EIC and provides a global advocacy forum that competes in part with EIC's GMID initiative.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/events_council
• Facebookfacebook.com/EventsIndustryCouncil
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/events-council

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Events Industry Council