Chicago Interactive Marketing Association
Chicago Interactive Marketing Association (CIMA) is a volunteer-run, non-profit membership association founded in 1997 that serves Chicago's interactive and digital marketing professionals through networking events, education, mentorship, philanthropy, and the annual Star Awards gala.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1997
- HeadquartersChicago, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Chicago Interactive Marketing Association does
Chicago Interactive Marketing Association (CIMA) is a non-profit, volunteer-run professional membership association founded in 1997 by five Chicago industry professionals (Colleen McGovern Wagner, Curt Galusha, Erin Ross-Goergen, Gina Fratarcangeli, and Rachel Saunders). The organization serves Chicago's interactive and digital marketing community, with 2,300+ active members and a broader digital following of 15,000+ across LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. CIMA is governed by a board of directors, VPs, and committee members across functional areas including Membership, Marketing, Education, Mentorship, Sponsorships, Philanthropy, Strategic Partnerships, Personnel, and Social/DE&I.
CIMA's core offerings include an annual Membership Program (with tiers for Agency/Brand, Publisher/Vendor, HR/Talent/Recruiter, Student/Educator, and Seeking Work members), the Mentorship Program connecting students with industry professionals, the quarterly Education Series on topics such as AI, mobile gaming, supply path optimization, and first-party data, the annual Star Awards gala, the Ticket Exchange matchmaking platform, a weekly newsletter, sponsorship programs, the philanthropy volunteer program (supporting Off The Street Club, Greater Chicago Food Depository, Cancer and Careers, and others), and the Career Center job board. The technology stack is limited to association management software (YourMembership.com) for membership, event registration, and e-commerce; no proprietary technology is developed.
The business model is freemium-plus-sponsorship: Agency/Brand, Student/Educator, and Seeking Work memberships are free, Publisher/Vendor memberships are $150/year, HR/Talent/Recruiter memberships are $50/year, and revenue is supplemented by event ticket sales, individual event sponsorships, multi-event partnerships, and program sponsorships (e.g., the Mentorship Program at $5,000). Distribution is regional (Chicago metropolitan area only), delivered through self-service website registration, an online event store, and channel partnerships with DePaul University's Kellstadt Marketing Center, IAB, General Assembly, and the Academy of Digital Media.
Chicago Interactive Marketing Association firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Chicago Interactive Marketing Association
- Legal name
- Chicago Interactive Marketing Association
- Website
- https://chicagoima.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1997
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Chicago Interactive Marketing Association (CIMA) is a volunteer-run, non-profit membership association founded in 1997 that serves Chicago's interactive and digital marketing professionals through networking events, education, mentorship, philanthropy, and the annual Star Awards gala.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Chicago Interactive Marketing Association industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Professional Marketing Association
- NAICS
- Professional Organizations (81392), Business Associations (813910)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Association & Society Conference Management (Nonprofit, Professional Bodies) (THAHACAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Conference Communications, Marketing & Community Engagement (THAHACAN), Sponsorship, Exhibitor & Partnership Management Services (THAHACAK)
Keywords
Where Chicago Interactive Marketing Association is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Chicago
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Chicago Interactive Marketing Association business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Membership Dues: CIMA generates revenue through tiered membership dues. Agency/Brand members join free, Publisher/Vendor members pay $150 annually, and HR/Talent/Recruiter members pay $50 annually. Student/Educator and Seeking Work memberships are free.
- Event Tickets and Sponsorships: Revenue is generated through event ticket sales and sponsorship packages. Events include the annual golf outing, yacht cruise, holiday party, sports games, educational luncheons, and happy hours. Sponsorship opportunities range from individual event sponsorships to multi-event partnerships.
- Program Sponsorships: The Mentorship Program can be sponsored for $5,000, providing brand visibility across program materials, events, and communications.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Annual | Agency/Brand - Free membership for media planning, managing, or buying professionals |
| Subscription | Annual | Publisher/Vendor - $150 annual membership for media sellers |
| Subscription | Annual | HR/Talent/Recruiter - $50 annual membership |
| Freemium | Annual | Student/Educator - Free membership with .edu email |
| Freemium | Other | Seeking Work - Free 6-month provisional membership |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels9 records
Chicago Interactive Marketing Association product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Chicago Interactive Marketing Association (CIMA) is a non-profit professional membership association for digital and interactive marketing professionals in Chicago. It sells tiered memberships (free for Agency/Brand, students, and job-seekers; $150/year for Publisher/Vendors; $50/year for HR/Recruiters) and generates revenue through event tickets, sponsorships, mentorship program sponsorships, and philanthropy initiatives. Its core deliverables include year-round networking events, a published Education Series, the CIMA Mentorship Program, the annual Star Awards, a Ticket Exchange, a Career Center, and a weekly newsletter. CIMA is operated entirely by volunteers and governed by a volunteer board.
Product overview
Chicago Interactive Marketing Association (CIMA) operates as a membership-based professional association for the Chicago digital marketing community. The organization offers a unified membership program providing access to networking events, educational programming, mentorship, career resources, and awards recognition. The core offerings include the CIMA Mentorship Program connecting students with industry professionals, the Education Series featuring quarterly events on topics like AI and mobile gaming, the annual Star Awards gala, a Ticket Exchange for members, weekly newsletters, sponsorship opportunities, philanthropy events, and a career center job board. CIMA is a non-profit organization run entirely by volunteers, with membership tiers for agencies/brands (free), publishers/vendors ($150), HR/recruiters ($50), and students/educators (free).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- CIMA Membership Program Annual tiered membership program offering networking, educational events, mentorship, career resources, and exclusive discounts for digital marketing professionals in Chicago. Tiers include Agency/Brand (free), Publisher/Vendor ($150/year), HR/Talent/Recruiter ($50/year), Student/Educator (free with .edu), and Seeking Work (free 6-month).
- CIMA Mentorship Program Free one-on-one mentorship program connecting undergraduate and graduate students studying advertising/marketing with seasoned digital marketing professionals for career guidance. Sponsorship available at $5,000.
- CIMA Education Series Quarterly educational events including luncheons, happy hours, and curated curriculum covering topics like AI, mobile gaming, supply path optimization, and first-party data, delivered to CIMA members.
- CIMA Star Awards Annual awards gala celebrating excellence in Chicago's advertising, marketing, and media industry with campaign categories (Best Use of AI, CTV, Data, Gaming, Influencer/Celebrity) and individual awards (Entrepreneur of the Year, Digital Media Person of the Year, Salesperson of the Year, Rising Stars).
- CIMA Ticket Exchange Member-to-member platform connecting members to buy and sell event tickets for sold-out events, facilitating networking between agencies/brands and publishers/vendors. Facilitated nearly 100 connections.
- CIMA Sponsorship Programs Sponsorship packages for companies to reach CIMA's 2,300+ active members through educational events, happy hours, golf outings, yacht cruises, the holiday party, and the Mentorship Program ($5,000).
- CIMA Career Center Job board and resume posting service connecting marketing professionals with career opportunities, accessed via chicagoima.careerwebsite.com.
- CIMA Philanthropy Program Volunteer program supporting Off The Street Club, Greater Chicago Food Depository, Cancer and Careers, Royal Family Kids Camp, and One Tail at a Time through Third Thursdays volunteering and fundraising events including Battle for Hope and Drag Makes a Difference.
- CIMA Newsletter Weekly e-newsletter distributed every Monday featuring upcoming events, event photos, and industry news. Free for members; newsletter-only subscription available for non-members.
Quantifiable outcome
- CIMA helped facilitate nearly 100 Ticket Exchange connections
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Chicago Interactive Marketing Association
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Chicago Interactive Marketing Association technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Chicago Interactive Marketing Association partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- General AssemblyminorPartnership offering CIMA members access to General Assembly's educational programs in tech, data, design, and business. GA offers free virtual events and discounts on workshops and courses for CIMA members.
- IAB (Interactive Advertising Bureau)coreIAB is a trade organization for digital advertising with 650+ member companies. Offers CIMA members 20% off all e-learning and virtual facilitator-led classes. CIMA hosts IAB Spotlight events featuring IAB research and educational content.
- Academy of Digital MediaminorTraining division of Laredo Group providing digital media training for 26+ years. Offers 15% discount to CIMA members for private training programs covering digital media strategy, planning, execution, and measurement.
- DePaul University (Kellstadt Marketing Center)coreLong-standing partnership with DePaul University's Kellstadt Marketing Center offering marketing continuing education courses. CIMA members receive 15% discount using promo code CIMAM23. CIMA hosts educational events at DePaul Loop Campus.
- Off The Street ClubcoreChicago's oldest boys and girls club (founded 1900). CIMA volunteers monthly at OTSC and hosts fundraising events including Battle for Hope. OTSC serves 3,000+ kids in West Garfield Park.
- Greater Chicago Food DepositoryminorCIMA partners with Greater Chicago Food Depository for summer repackaging volunteer events. Volunteers help repackage bulk food for distribution to local partner agencies.
- Cancer and CareersminorNational organization supporting working people with cancer. CIMA raised over $10,000 in 2023 through charitable events.
- Royal Family Kids CampminorCharitable organization supported through CIMA's philanthropy initiatives.
- One Tail at a TimeminorAnimal rescue organization supported through CIMA's philanthropy program.
- InitiativeminorMedia agency that co-hosted the Love Purse 2025 event with CIMA to support women in need through personal care item donations.
- MIQminorProgrammatic media partner that co-hosted the Love Purse 2025 event with CIMA.
- GivslyminorEvent organizer bringing Drag Makes a Difference events to support LGBTQIA+ community organizations including Brave Space Alliance and Center on Halsted.
- Paramount AdvertisingminorPresented Drag Makes a Difference event partnership with Givsly and CIMA.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Chicago Interactive Marketing Association competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- American Marketing Association (AMA): National nonprofit professional association for marketers with a federated chapter structure (e.g., AMA Chicago) that delivers membership, events, education, and awards to the same agency/brand/marketer segment CIMA serves. Most directly comparable in mission and member-value model.
Regional players
- The Advertising Club of New York: NYC-based industry association for advertising/marketing professionals hosting the ANDY Awards, social events, and educational programs. Closest geographic analog to CIMA but in a different market.
- She Runs It: NYC-headquartered nonprofit (formerly Advertising Women of New York) supporting women in marketing and advertising through mentorship, awards, and events. Directly comparable membership-plus-events-plus-mentorship model, anchored in a different U.S. metro.
Broad incumbents
- ANA (Association of National Advertisers): National trade association for the marketer/brand side. Operates events, training, and awards aimed at brand marketers — a core CIMA member segment — but at a national, multi-vertical scale.
- The One Club for Creativity: Nonprofit supporting the creative side of advertising, best known for The One Show and ADC Annual Awards. Comparable awards-and-recognition model to CIMA's Star Awards, but operating nationally and with a creative, not interactive, emphasis.
- Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB): National trade association representing digital advertising and marketing (650+ member companies). Overlaps CIMA's interactive/digital marketer audience on education, research, and policy, and is also an active CIMA strategic partner. Broader in scope and geography than CIMA.
- The 4A's (American Association of Advertising Agencies): National trade body representing advertising agencies. Shares CIMA's agency-focused audience and provides industry programming, advocacy, and benefits at scale across multiple U.S. markets.
Others
- AIGA (formerly American Institute of Graphic Arts): National professional association for design with local chapters, events, awards, and educational programming. Comparable nonprofit, chapter-based, community-and-events operating model in a sister creative-services discipline.
- Public Relations Society of America (PRSA): National professional association serving PR and communications practitioners via local chapters, awards, certifications, and events. Adjacent to CIMA's marketing-focus in the broader marketing-services ecosystem.
Emerging players
- Social Media Club: Volunteer-led global community organization for social media and digital marketing professionals, with local chapters that run events and educational programming. Overlaps CIMA's interactive-marketer audience and similar volunteer-run operating model.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Chicago Interactive Marketing Association social profiles
Digital presenceChicago Interactive Marketing Association financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Chicago Interactive Marketing Association leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles13 records
Chicago Interactive Marketing Association funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Chicago Interactive Marketing Association M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Chicago Interactive Marketing Association
What does Chicago Interactive Marketing Association do?
Chicago Interactive Marketing Association (CIMA) is a non-profit professional membership association for digital and interactive marketing professionals in Chicago. It sells tiered memberships (free for Agency/Brand, students, and job-seekers; $150/year for Publisher/Vendors; $50/year for HR/Recruiters) and generates revenue through event tickets, sponsorships, mentorship program sponsorships, and philanthropy initiatives. Its core deliverables include year-round networking events, a published Education Series, the CIMA Mentorship Program, the annual Star Awards, a Ticket Exchange, a Career Center, and a weekly newsletter. CIMA is operated entirely by volunteers and governed by a volunteer board.
Is Chicago Interactive Marketing Association a public or private company?
Chicago Interactive Marketing Association is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Chicago Interactive Marketing Association founded?
Chicago Interactive Marketing Association was founded in 1997. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Chicago Interactive Marketing Association based?
Chicago Interactive Marketing Association is headquartered in Chicago, United States, in the North America region.
How does Chicago Interactive Marketing Association make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Membership Dues are the primary driver. The others are event Tickets and Sponsorships and program Sponsorships.
Who are Chicago Interactive Marketing Association's main competitors?
American Marketing Association (AMA) is listed as a direct peer. Regional players are The Advertising Club of New York and She Runs It. Broad incumbents are ANA (Association of National Advertisers), The One Club for Creativity, Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) and The 4A's (American Association of Advertising Agencies). Others are AIGA (formerly American Institute of Graphic Arts) and Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). Social Media Club is listed as an emerging player.
Does Chicago Interactive Marketing Association have an API?
No public API is recorded for Chicago Interactive Marketing Association.
What industry is Chicago Interactive Marketing Association in?
Chicago Interactive Marketing Association's product category is Professional Marketing Association. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAHACAA, Association & Society Conference Management (Nonprofit, Professional Bodies), with a secondary code of THAHACAN, Conference Communications, Marketing & Community Engagement. Its NAICS code is 81392 and its SIC code is 8600.