California Association of Public Information Officials

What California Association of Public Information Officials does

The California Association of Public Information Officials (CAPIO) is a nonprofit professional membership association founded in 1971 by ten public information practitioners in Orange and Los Angeles counties. Headquartered in Chico, California, and operated in partnership with the association management firm ORRganized Events, CAPIO serves more than 1,100 public sector communications professionals across California, including municipal, county, K-12 school district, special district, and state agency communicators, as well as affiliate members from PR firms and government technology vendors. Its core offerings span a portfolio of services: tiered annual memberships ($100-$425), the annual conference drawing 600+ attendees, the EPIC Awards and special awards programs (Paul B. Clark, Scott Summerfield Communicator of the Year, Frank Potter Cowan Crisis Communications Leader, Rising Star, STAR), regional workshops across Northern, Central, and Southern California, the Emergency Communications Academy co-developed with Cal OES, 20+ annual webinars, The CAPIO Chirp podcast launched in 2021, a Resource Library, and certification pathways including APR accreditation and the J. Lindsey Wolf Certificate in Communications. The underlying technology stack is conventional association infrastructure (MemberClicks for member management, Swoogo for conference registration, Vimeo/Spotify for podcast hosting) rather than proprietary technology. CAPIO generates revenue primarily through recurring membership dues, conference attendance and sponsorship fees, and a tiered annual partner program (Diamond, Platinum, Gold) that includes Granicus, CivicPlus, Readyly, JPW Communications, RMG Communications, Tripepi Smith, Adobe, and others serving the government technology and communications market.

Name

California Association of Public Information Officials

Legal name

California Association of Public Information Officials

Website

https://capio.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1971

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

CAPIO is a California nonprofit professional association founded in 1971 that provides training, awards, networking, and resources to more than 1,100 public sector communications professionals across city, county, school, and special district agencies statewide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Association Services

NAICS

Professional Organizations (81392)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industry

Training, Enablement & Talent Development Summits (THAHAMAH)

Keywords

• Professional association
• Public sector communications
• Professional development training
• Membership organization
• Government communications networking

Headquarters

HQ city

Chico

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership dues from individual members across four tiers: Professional ($300/year), Professional+ ($425/year), Affiliate ($300/year), and Student ($100/year). Group discounts of 10% are available for agencies with 5 or more members. The Professional+ tier includes complimentary access to 20+ webinars and virtual trainings as a membership benefit.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

CAPIO is a nonprofit professional membership association that provides training, resources, networking opportunities, and recognition programs to advance public sector communicators across California. Members gain access to an annual conference, regional workshops, webinars, certification programs, a mentoring program, and awards programs including the EPIC Awards, Paul B. Clark Award, and Communicator of the Year Award.

Product overview

CAPIO (California Association of Public Information Officials) is a professional membership organization, not a unified software product. It offers a portfolio of membership-based services including professional development programs (APR accreditation, J. Lindsey Wolf Certificate, Mentoring Program, Elevate and Fellows programs), trainings and events (Annual Conference, Emergency Communications Academy, Leadership Summit, webinars), awards programs (EPIC Awards, Paul B. Clark Award, Communicator of the Year, Crisis Communications Leader Award, STAR Awards, Rising Star Award), The CAPIO Chirp podcast (launched 2021), a Resource Library, and a CAPIO Store for branded merchandise. These services are delivered through the organization's website, in-person events, and digital platforms including MemberClicks and Swoogo.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Professional Development Programs Comprehensive professional development offerings including Accreditation in Public Relations (APR), J. Lindsey Wolf Certificate in Communications, Elevate Young Professionals Program, Fellows Experienced Professionals Program, and Mentoring Program for public sector communications professionals.
• Trainings & Events Annual Conference bringing together 600+ government communicators, Emergency Communications Academy (partnered with Cal OES), Leadership Summit, free and paid webinars, and regional workshops across Northern, Central, and Southern California.
• Annual Conference Flagship annual event bringing together 600+ government communicators to discuss current trends, best practices, and case studies in public sector communications. Includes EPIC Awards Gala. Rotates locations across California (2026 San Diego, 2025 Napa, 2024 Indian Wells).
• William Nash Mentoring Program Annual mentoring program matching 15 mentees with mentors from CAPIO membership. Renamed in 2021 to honor William Nash. Provides two-way learning opportunities between mentors and mentees.
• EPIC Awards Excellence in Public Information and Communications Awards recognizing the most creative and effective efforts in communication campaigns, newsletters, photography, special events, writing, website development, and video production.
• Paul B. Clark Award Lifetime achievement award recognizing change-makers who demonstrate exceptional leadership and career-long achievement in public information through professional commitment, mentoring of others, and fostering greater understanding of the PIO function.
• Scott Summerfield Communicator of the Year Award Award presented to individuals demonstrating exceptional abilities, skills and talents in leading their organization to greater communications and public engagement success. Renamed in 2025 to honor Scott Summerfield.
• Frank Potter Cowan Crisis Communications Leader Award Award recognizing Public Information Professionals or teams who demonstrated extraordinary success in leading a team during natural disasters, acts of terrorism, or reputational crises.
• STAR Awards Awards program recognizing excellence in specific categories including Animal Services, Arts + Entertainment, and other public communications achievements.
• Rising Star Award Award for individuals demonstrating exceptional abilities in growing their skillset and contributing to public engagement and outreach in their first five years of public communications career.
• The CAPIO Chirp Podcast Podcast launched in 2021 featuring discussions with industry leaders, game changers, and those advancing public communications. Covers topics including AI tools, crisis communications, emergency response, and professional development. Hosted by Paul Hosley and Lael Wageneck.
• Resource Library Online library of communications resources for members including webinars free for members, research materials, templates, and professional development content.
• J. Lindsey Wolf Certificate in Communications Certification program established in 2003, exclusively offered through CAPIO, providing foundation of core communications courses focused on strategies and tactics for evolving communications needs. Offered free to CAPIO members.
• Emergency Communications Academy Hands-on training academy partnered with Cal OES for public information professionals wanting to learn effective risk and crisis communication tactics using lessons learned from real-world events. Taught by public safety experts from FEMA, Cal OES, CAL FIRE, and other agencies.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,100 public sector communicators connected through membership network
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers11 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

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCAPIO partners with Cal OES on the Emergency Communications Academy, a hands-on training academy for public information professionals wanting to learn effective risk and crisis communication tactics using lessons learned from real-world events. The academy is taught by public safety experts from federal, state and local government agencies including FEMA, Cal OES, CAL FIRE, and others.
• GranicusflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerDiamond Annual Partner. Granicus provides government technology solutions and is a premier sponsor of CAPIO programs, receiving year-round recognition and conference visibility.
• ReadylyflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerDiamond Annual Partner. Readyly provides Agentic AI solutions for local government and is a premier sponsor receiving year-round recognition.
• CivicPlusflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerDiamond Annual Partner. CivicPlus provides government website and communications solutions and is a premier sponsor receiving year-round recognition.
• JPW CommunicationsflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerDiamond Annual Partner. JPW Communications is a full-service marketing, communication and outreach firm dedicated solely to serving the public sector. Led by former award-winning public communicators. Woman-owned firm, certified DBE and SBE.
• RMG CommunicationsflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerDiamond Annual Partner. RMG Communications is a boutique communications firm focusing on public-sector, small business and nonprofit clients.
• Tripepi SmithflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerDiamond Annual Partner. Tripepi Smith is a marketing, technology, and public affairs consulting firm with 21 associates offering services spanning educational outreach, videography, photography, content creation, graphic design, website development, and strategic messaging.
• GHD Digital | GovstackcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum Annual Partner. Govstack provides a digital platform built for local government to give communications staff a more efficient way to communicate important information and deliver services to residents.
• Social PinpointcoreTechnology or IntegrationPlatinum Annual Partner. Social Pinpoint provides community engagement and stakeholder consultation tools for government.
• FlashvotecoreTechnology or IntegrationPlatinum Annual Partner. Flashvote provides polling and community feedback solutions for government decision-making.
• effectvcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum Annual Partner. effectv provides advertising and media solutions.
• Social News DeskcoreTechnology or IntegrationPlatinum Annual Partner. Social News Desk provides social media management solutions.
• Miller MaxfieldcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGold Annual Partner. Award-winning full-service strategic communications and public affairs firm helping clients tell their stories.
• 3CMAcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGold Annual Partner. 3CMA (Achievement in Marketing, Communications & Engagement) connects communication professionals through national speakers, webinars, regional conferences, and annual conferences.
• AdobecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGold Annual Partner. Adobe Express training provided through CAPIO Express CoLab workshops.
• RevizecoreTechnology or IntegrationGold Annual Partner. Revize provides government website design and development services.
• AscendantAppcoreTechnology or IntegrationGold Annual Partner. AscendantApp provides application development services.
• AudacycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGold Annual Partner. Audacy provides radio and audio advertising solutions.
• Browne & MussercoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGold Annual Partner. Provides professional services.
• SAE CommunicationscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerStrategic and crisis communications firm for local government. Founder Scott Summerfield is a CAPIO past president and namesake of the Communicator of the Year Award.
• Orlo TechcoreTechnology or IntegrationListed on vendor resource page. Orlo provides comprehensive social media management and archiving platform built exclusively for the public sector.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Ragan Communications: Commercial training, events, and content platform serving PR and communications professionals (including government). Offers webinars, conferences (PR Daily Awards), and editorial content directly overlapping with CAPIO's training programming, but as a for-profit commercial entity.

Broad incumbents

• International Association of Business Communicators (IABC): Global membership association for business and strategic communicators. Provides professional certification, world conferences, and regional events targeting corporate and public-sector communicators — comparable training and recognition offerings to CAPIO at international scale.
• National Association of Counties (NACo): National membership organization for US county governments serving thousands of county officials including communications staff. Comparable in member model and training/awards programming, but at national scale.
• Public Relations Society of America (PRSA): Largest PR professional membership organization globally with chapters including PRSA California. Offers APR accreditation (also represented by CAPIO), national conferences, and training that competes with CAPIO for government communicator mindshare and corporate sponsorships.
• California State Association of Counties (CSAC): Statewide association representing California's 58 counties and their officials, including county communications directors. Provides training, legislative advocacy, and conferences that overlap with CAPIO's core member base and educational programming.
• League of California Cities: Statewide membership association for California's 482 cities, offering training, advocacy, and conferences to city officials including PIOs. A broader public-sector membership organization whose membership roster overlaps heavily with CAPIO's city segment.

Direct peers

• City-County Communications and Marketing Association (3CMA): National membership association for local government communicators and marketers, providing conferences, awards (Savvy Awards), and training. The most direct parallel to CAPIO at national scope — same member role (PIO/communications director), same core offering (training, recognition, networking), same nonprofit model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/capiotweets
• Facebookfacebook.com/CaliforniaPIO
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/californiapio

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 California Association of Public Information Officials