PCMA

What PCMA does

PCMA (Professional Convention Management Association) is a non-profit professional association founded in 1956 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. It serves business events strategists worldwide through a portfolio of membership services, conferences, education, certifications, and media. PCMA's core offering centers on Convening Leaders, the flagship annual conference running since 1956, complemented by regional events (Convening EMEA, APAC, and LATAM), the Business Events Summit, CEMA Summit, and the Convene 4 Climate sustainability initiative. The association maintains a network of 17 North American chapters and regional headquarters in Singapore (APAC) and Northern Ireland (EMEA), reaching 9,200+ professional and student members across 72 countries and approximately 55,000 business event stakeholders globally.

The organization monetizes through tiered annual membership dues ($120-$535 USD), event sponsorships and registrations, advertising and content through the multi-award-winning Convene Magazine (36,000+ subscribers since 1986), annual partnerships, and education/certification revenue from PCMA Institute and the Digital Event Strategist (DES) credential. Technology assets include the PCMA Axis community platform, regional digital newsletters (EMEA Connect, APAC Exchange, LATAM Conecta), the Convene Podcast, and the Spark AI tool developed for event professionals. Governance rests with an elected board under President & CEO Sherrif Karamat, CAE, with regional managing directors in EMEA, APAC, and LATAM. Subsidiaries include Convene Magazine, PCMA Institute, PCMA Foundation (501(c)(3)), CEMA, Digital Experience Institute, and the 2023-acquired Event Leadership Institute and Event Marketing Association UK.

Name

PCMA

Legal name

Professional Convention Management Association

Website

https://pcma.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1956

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

PCMA is a non-profit professional association founded in 1956 that connects, educates, and serves business events strategists worldwide through membership, conferences, certifications, publications, and AI tooling.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Association and Business Events Industry Services

NAICS

Professional Organizations (813920), Business Associations (813910), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Virtual/Hybrid Conference Production & Platform Management (THAHACAM), Sponsorship, Exhibitor & Partnership Management Services (THAHACAK), Academic & Education Conference Organizers (THAHACAE), Conference Communications, Marketing & Community Engagement (THAHACAN)

Keywords

• Business events association
• Professional membership services
• Event industry education
• Convention management network
• Event professional certification

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees across multiple tiers: Business Events Organizer/Strategist ($395), Corporate Event Marketer ($395), Supplier/Partner ($535), Faculty ($225), and discounted Next Gen ($120) and developing economy rates. Students join free.
2. Annual Partnerships: Ongoing collaboration programs with partners including marketing benefits across PCMA's portfolio of face-to-face events, thought leadership platforms, and member programs.
3. Event Sponsorships: Sponsorship opportunities at PCMA portfolio events including brand exposure, networking, thought leadership development, and lead generation.
4. Advertising & Content: Digital and print advertising in Convene Magazine plus custom content campaigns and sponsored articles through the Engage platform.
5. Education & Certification: Revenue from PCMA Institute courses, professional development programs, and certifications including the Digital Event Strategist certification.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

PCMA is the world's largest professional membership association for business events strategists, offering tiered annual memberships, flagship and regional conferences, professional education and certifications (including CMP and DES), industry publications through Convene Magazine, and community engagement via chapters, Collectives, and digital forums. The organization serves event organizers, corporate event marketers, suppliers, faculty, and students across 72 countries.

Product overview

PCMA (Professional Convention Management Association) is the world's largest network of business events strategists, offering a comprehensive platform and module-based portfolio of products and services. The core offering centers on Convene Magazine, the leading publication in the business events industry with 36,000+ subscribers, complemented by the PCMA Institute for education and certificate programs, and the PCMA Foundation for scholarships and industry recognition. Key certifications include the Digital Event Strategist (DES) and offerings from the Digital Experience Institute. Regional presence is maintained through flagship events (Convening Leaders, Business Events Summit), regional conferences (Convening EMEA, APAC, LATAM), and specialty events (Convene 4 Climate, CEMA Summit). The organization also offers the Spark AI tool for event professionals, the Convene Podcast for audio content, an On-Demand Library for continuing education, and community platforms including PCMA Axis, PCMA Circles, and PCMA Collectives for member networking.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Convene Magazine: Multi-award-winning print and digital publication that is the leading publication in the business events industry
• PCMA Institute
• PCMA Foundation
• CEMA (Corporate Event Marketing Association)
• Digital Experience Institute
• Spark
• Ascent

Products and services

• Convene Magazine Multi-award-winning print and digital magazine started in 1986, serving as the leading publication in the business events industry with an audited circulation of 36,000 qualified meeting organizer subscribers.
• PCMA Institute Provides inclusive, practical learning experiences and certificate programs that help business events leaders grow, lead, and advance their careers, including 260+ courses.
• PCMA Foundation 501(c)(3) charitable organization supporting the industry through education, research, and charitable giving, including scholarships for students, faculty, and professionals, and the annual Visionary Awards.
• CEMA (Corporate Event Marketing Association) A subsidiary community of PCMA, CEMA is the eminent community for senior event executives, association peers, and industry partners focused on corporate event marketing.
• Digital Event Strategist (DES) Certification Professional certification program enabling event professionals to design and execute virtual and hybrid events, offered in multiple languages including Spanish.
• Spark, AI for Event Professionals AI tool designed by event professionals for event professionals, providing a platform to understand and define how AI will shape the business events industry, including content generation and event planning assistance.
• Convening Leaders PCMA's flagship annual signature conference, first held in 1956, bringing together business events professionals for senior-level education, networking, and industry thought leadership.
• Business Events Summit Annual summit convening industry leaders to explore the future of strategic event leadership.
• Convening EMEA Regional conference for Europe, Middle East, and Africa bringing together business events professionals for education and networking.
• Convening APAC Regional conference for the Asia Pacific region offering premier education and networking opportunities for business events professionals.
• Convening LATAM Regional conference for Latin America connecting event professionals across the LATAM region.
• Convene 4 Climate Event focused on sustainability and climate action in the business events industry, supporting industry-wide sustainable transformation, with the inaugural C4C Global Awards launched in 2026.
• CEMA Summit Annual summit for the CEMA community focusing on corporate event marketing and professional development.
• Digital Experience Institute Authority on livestreaming, digital events, and hybrid meeting strategy and production, supporting the Digital Event Strategist certification program.
• PCMA Membership Tiered annual membership program for business events professionals across categories including Business Events Organizer/Strategist ($395), Corporate Event Marketer ($395), Supplier/Partner ($535), Faculty ($225), Next Gen ($120), with free Student membership and discounted developing economy rates.

Quantifiable outcome

• 68% of members have at least a decade of industry experience
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 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

AI capability4 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core, regional and minor.

• IAPCO, AIPC, AMC Institute, ICCA, IFESmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 May 2026PCMA participated in IAPCO's Global Socio-Political Impact Survey 2026, conducted with five partner organizations, collecting responses from 130 organizations worldwide.
• Event Marketing Association UKcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 January 2023Acquired by PCMA in January 2023 as part of strategy to expand industry education and global community involvement. Strengthened PCMA's presence in the UK market.
• Event Leadership InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 January 2023Acquired by PCMA in January 2023 to enhance educational resources and innovation for the event industry. Aims to develop new training tools, support industry adaptation, and foster growth amid rapid change.
• American Geophysical Union (AGU)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 January 2023Partnership formed during Convening Leaders 2023 to expand industry collaboration and community reach.
• National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals (NCBMP)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 January 2023Partnership formed during Convening Leaders 2023 to promote diversity and inclusion in the business events industry.
• Marriott InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Six Truths for Innovative Event Strategies research study, combining PCMA Foundation, Marriott International, CEMA, and Storycraft Lab expertise.
• CEMA (Corporate Event Marketing Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA subsidiary of PCMA, CEMA is the eminent community for senior event executives, association peers, and industry partners.
• PCMA FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner501(c)(3) organization supporting the industry through education, research, and charitable giving. Funds scholarships and recognizes industry accomplishments at Visionary Awards.
• PCMA InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides inclusive, practical learning experiences and certificate programs for business events leaders.
• Digital Experience InstitutemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAuthority on livestreaming, digital events, and hybrid meeting strategy and production. Supports Digital Event Strategist certification.
• Korea MICE AssociationregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on APAC webinar exploring AI integration in events.
• NTUC LearningHubregionalGTM or Marketing PartnerSingapore-based training partner for APAC region educational initiatives.
• ITE (Institute of Technical Education)regionalGTM or Marketing PartnerSingapore educational institution partner for industry talent development.
• Business Events SarawakregionalGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional destination marketing organization partner for business events in Sarawak, Malaysia.
• AC ForummajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic alliance with Associations & Conferences forum for industry collaboration.
• ECA (Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic alliance for exhibitions and conferences industry advocacy and standards.
• Destinations InternationalmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic alliance with global destinations organization for industry advocacy.
• The Iceberg LegaciesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKnowledge sharing partnership for business events industry insights and legacies.
• LGBT MPAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic alliance supporting LGBTQ+ meeting professionals community.
• EMA SpainregionalGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional partner for Spain and Spanish-speaking markets.
• CocalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLatin American meetings industry coalition partner.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA): ICCA is the leading global association for the international meetings industry, focused on association meetings, congress organizers, and suppliers — directly competing with PCMA for senior event strategist mindshare, especially in EMEA and APAC where both have strong presences.
• Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA): ECA is a strategic alliance partner of PCMA focused on advocacy and standards for the exhibitions and conferences industry, serving an overlapping supplier and organizer base with policy and industry-wide representation work.
• Meeting Professionals International (MPI): MPI is the closest direct competitor to PCMA — a global association serving meeting and event professionals with membership, education (CMP), and chapter-based community across roughly 70+ countries, overlapping heavily on PCMA's core planner audience and conference business.
• Event Industry Council (EIC): EIC is the umbrella organization behind the CMP (Certified Meeting Professional) credential and industry-wide standards, competing with PCMA's PCMA Institute and DES certification for ownership of professional credentials and event industry thought leadership.
• Destinations International: Destinations International is the global trade association for destination marketing organizations (DMOs) and a strategic PCMA alliance partner, serving an overlapping buyer base (DMOs/venues) on the supplier side of the business events ecosystem PCMA also serves.

Emerging players

• IMEX Group: IMEX operates flagship trade shows (IMEX Frankfurt, IMEX America) for the meetings and incentive travel industry — a peer events organizer that competes for sponsorship revenue and senior planner attendance alongside PCMA's Convening Leaders and Business Events Summit.
• Society of Incentive & Travel Executives (SITE): SITE is a niche global association for the incentive travel and meetings industry, overlapping PCMA's membership on corporate incentive events — a partial-competitor with shared education, certification, and chapter-based community but a narrower industry vertical focus.
• Cvent: Cvent is a leading events management technology platform that increasingly serves the same business events strategist audience as PCMA, including its own user conferences and buyer communities that compete for sponsorship dollars and direct planner mindshare.
• International Association of Professional Congress Organizers (IAPCO): IAPCO represents professional congress organizers globally and co-partnered with PCMA on the 2026 Global Socio-Political Impact Survey — a peer association serving an overlapping PCO audience with education, accreditation, and global advocacy, primarily EMEA-centric in legacy focus.

Broad incumbents

• American Society of Association Executives (ASAE): ASAE is a broader incumbent serving association executives across all verticals, including the association-meeting planner segment that PCMA's 'Association Event Professionals' segment targets — overlapping on professional development, certifications, and DC-based advocacy.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubefeeds.transistor.fm/pcma-convene-podcast
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pcma
• Xx.com/pcmahq

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A1 record

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about PCMA