National Association for Catering and Events

What National Association for Catering and Events does

The National Association for Catering and Events (NACE) is a U.S.-based nonprofit professional association founded in 1958, headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, and serving individual catering and event professionals as well as the businesses and vendors that support them. Its core product is the CPCE (Certified Professional in Catering and Events), the only industry-specific certification covering seven competencies (accounting, beverage management, catering services/operations, contracts and risk management, event design/execution, HR, and sales/marketing), delivered through a 175-question exam with a 70% passing threshold and a 4-5 year recertification cycle. NACE supplements CPCE with annual events (Experience Conference and Evolve Conference), online courses via learn.nace.net, a CPCE Fast Track prep course, the NACE One Awards and member-recognition programs (Hall of Fame, ICON, Michel Malecot, George Zell), a resource library, a career center, member-organized caucuses (AAPI, Black), and a mobile app (NACE Net). The technology backbone is third-party: Glueup powers membership management, event registration, and the mobile app; NACE does not operate proprietary software.

Name

National Association for Catering and Events

Legal name

National Association for Catering and Events

Website

https://nace.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

1958

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

NACE is a 1958-founded U.S. nonprofit professional association serving catering and event professionals through the CPCE certification, annual conferences, online education, and a 40+ chapter nationwide network, operated by a lean remote staff of 8-10.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Columbia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: NACE generates primary revenue from individual membership dues across multiple categories (Professional, Corporate, Non-Profit, Young Professional, Student, Educator). Dues include national membership plus local chapter membership.
2. CPCE Certification: Revenue from Certified Professional in Catering and Events (CPCE) certification program including application fees ($295), exam fees ($295), and professional reference guide sales ($99).
3. Conferences and Events: Revenue from Experience Conference, Evolve Conference, and chapter event registrations including education sessions and networking programs.
4. Online Education: Revenue from CPCE Fast Track courses (online self-study), NACE Online Courses, and webinars available to members and non-members.
5. National Partnerships: Customizable yearly partnership programs with national partners offering networking, sponsorship, and advertising opportunities at the Experience Conference and across digital platforms.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

The National Association for Catering and Events (NACE) is a U.S. professional membership association serving catering and event professionals. It sells individual and corporate memberships, administers the CPCE (Certified Professional in Catering and Events) professional certification, hosts national and regional conferences (Experience Conference, Evolve Conference), delivers online and in-person educational courses, and operates a network of 40+ local chapters plus a mobile app for member networking.

Product overview

NACE offers a comprehensive membership-based ecosystem for catering and event professionals centered around its CPCE (Certified Professional in Catering and Events) certification as the core credential, supplemented by annual conferences (Experience Conference and Evolve Conference), online education (NACE Online Courses and CPCE Fast Track), awards recognition (NACE One Awards and Member Recognition Awards), a mobile app (NACE Net), a resource library, career center, and a network of 40+ local chapters nationwide. The organization uses the Glueup platform for membership management, event registration, and member communications. Products are delivered as interconnected services rather than a unified software platform, with membership providing access to certifications, education, networking, events, and member discounts.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• NACE Membership (Professional, Corporate, Non-Profit, Young Professional, Student, Educator, Legacy, Retired) Annual subscriptions for individuals and businesses in the catering and events industry, providing access to national and chapter benefits, networking, education, and member savings.
• CPCE (Certified Professional in Catering and Events) Certification Professional certification program with application, exam, recertification, and professional reference guide components, focused exclusively on catering and events business management.
• NACE Experience Conference Annual national conference delivering education sessions, networking events, and the NACE One Awards celebration for catering and event professionals.
• NACE Evolve Conference Annual conference for chapter leaders focused on organizational development, leadership training, and chapter management.
• NACE Online Courses Self-paced online courses on core catering and events concepts, each providing 6–12 educational contact hours, purchased individually or bundled.
• CPCE Fast Track Intensive exam preparation course for the CPCE certification, available in online on-demand, virtual study group, and regional live formats, worth 8 educational contact hours.
• NACE Net Mobile App Mobile application for iOS and Android that enables members to network, discuss ideas, register for NACE events, and manage their membership on the go.
• NACE Career Center Online job board connecting catering and event employers with candidates, with an employer center for posting jobs and a job seeker search interface.
• NACE Chapter Program Network of more than 40 local chapters across major U.S. metropolitan areas delivering in-person education, networking, community service, and leadership development.
• National Partnership Program Customizable annual partnership packages offering event industry suppliers and service providers networking, sponsorship, and advertising opportunities at the Experience Conference and on NACE digital platforms.

Quantifiable outcome

• 330+ certified CPCE professionals in the industry
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• WeddingProcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOne of the largest communities of wedding professionals combining The Knot and WeddingWire marketplaces, providing NACE members access to wedding advertising, resources, webinars, guides, fellowship and educator programs.
• Aisle Planner ProcoreTechnology or IntegrationEnd-to-end lead, sales, and project management cloud-based software for event professionals. Built by event pros for event pros, offering integrated event sales and planning experience.
• Total Party PlannercoreTechnology or IntegrationLeading catering and event management software platform combining CRM, proposal creation, production management, invoicing, and reporting into centralized system for catering teams.
• pc/nametagminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEco-friendly event badges, name tags, lanyards, badge ribbons, and sustainable event products provider offering member discounts.
• Foundation of NACEcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner501(c)(3) charitable organization supporting catering and events industry through education and investments supporting NACE chapters via innovative, transformative programs that elevate the community.
• Cater + Event (Catersource/The Special Event)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent industry trade show bringing entire event industry under one roof for immersive experience connecting catering and event professionals.
• CORT EventscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerNational provider of stylish rental furnishings for events with 20% member discount, world-class service, and 3D space-planning tool for event design.
• Goodshuffle ProcoreTechnology or IntegrationCloud-based event business software for inventory tracking, sales automation, and event process management with member pricing available.
• AFR Furniture RentalcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerNational provider of upscale furniture rentals for events with 45+ years experience, custom branding capabilities, and VIP service for corporate gatherings to weddings.
• CventcoreTechnology or IntegrationEvent marketing and management platform providing online event registration, venue selection, event marketing, and attendee engagement solutions for event professionals.
• AvisminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCar rental partner offering NACE members 30% discount on rates.
• BudgetminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCar rental partner offering NACE members 35% discount on rates.
• UPSminorGTM or Marketing PartnerShipping partner offering members up to 50% discount on shipping services.
• LenovominorGTM or Marketing PartnerTechnology partner offering NACE members up to 30% discount on products.
• Office Depot for BusinessminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOffice supplies partner offering members up to 50% discount on everyday office supplies.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Society of Incentive & Travel Executives (SITE): Global association for the incentive travel industry with the CIS certification and an annual SITE NITE event. Comparable in certification-plus-conference model, with partial overlap in membership with NACE's event planner base.
• Association of Bridal Consultants (now Association of Wedding Professionals): Association serving wedding and event professionals with certification, education, and networking programs. Comparable on the wedding/catering crossover, with member overlap in catering firms that serve weddings alongside corporate events.
• Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI): Hospitality industry association focused on sales, marketing, and revenue optimization with certifications and an Adrian Awards program. Comparable in structure (association, certification, awards) and audience overlap with hotel and venue-based catering professionals.

Direct peers

• American Culinary Federation (ACF): The principal professional association for chefs and culinary professionals in the U.S., offering the CEC certification and certification-prep education. Closely adjacent to NACE on the culinary side of catering, with overlapping member profiles in catering operations.
• International Live Events Association (ILEA): Association of live event professionals offering member education, networking, and the CSEP certification. Comparable in scope and member profile to NACE, with the same chapter model and professional credential focus.
• Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA): Association for convention and business event professionals with education, certification (CMP), and Convening Leaders as its flagship conference. Overlaps with NACE on the business events segment and competes for similar professional members.
• International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE): Trade association for the exhibitions and events industry offering the CEM certification and Expo! Expo! annual conference. Directly comparable as an association-led credentialing and conference model serving the broader events ecosystem.
• Catersource (Catersource + The Special Event): Trade show, conference, and education platform for catering and event professionals, operated in partnership with NACE. Comparable as a conference-and-education business serving the same core catering/events audience, though structured as a media/event business rather than a member association.
• Meeting Professionals International (MPI): Global association for meeting and event professionals offering membership, education, certifications (CMP), and an annual WEC conference. Directly comparable as a membership-based professional body serving overlapping audiences in the meetings and events industry.

Broad incumbents

• Event Industry Council (EIC): Umbrella organization of 30+ event industry associations, including MPI, ILEA, IAEE, and NACE members. Comparable as a coordinating body offering the CMP and APEX standards that set the wider framework within which NACE's CPCE operates.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/national-association-for-catering-and-events
• Instagraminstagram.com/nacefoundation
• Xx.com/nacenational
• Facebookfacebook.com/nacenatl

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 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 National Association for Catering and Events