PCMA

What PCMA does

PCMA (Professional Club Marketing Association) is a nonprofit professional membership association founded in 1995 and headquartered in Daphne, Alabama. It serves membership and marketing professionals working in private clubs — including golf, country, city, athletic, faculty, resort, yacht, town, and military clubs — across North America. The organization serves 800+ members through 18 regional chapters and addresses industry-specific needs in membership growth, retention, programming, communications, and compensation benchmarking.

The product suite centers on four proprietary professional certifications — CMP ($1,700), CCP ($1,200), CRP ($1,200), and MCMP ($1,850) — delivered via online coursework and proctored at the annual conference. The technology backbone runs on YourMembership.com association management software, which powers the member portal, online community forums, event registration, and certification enrollment workflows. A companion mobile app extends access, and social-login integration (Facebook, LinkedIn) reduces registration friction. The flagship in-person event is the 31st Club Membership & Marketing Conference (September 27-30, 2026, St. Louis), which also functions as the exclusive certification exam setting and primary demand-generation channel. Supplemental content products include the Club Trends Report, Compensation & Benefits Report, Career Board, and a webcast archive.

The business model rests on four recurring and episodic revenue streams: (1) tiered annual membership dues — Professional $765, Associate $640, Education $425, with a one-time $165 join fee; (2) one-time certification fees per credential; (3) all-inclusive conference registration at $2,300-$$2,500; and (4) tiered vendor partnership sponsorships. Go-to-market is direct online registration augmented by 18 chapter-led local recruitment efforts. The lean national staff of four professionals is supplemented by a volunteer board and chapter leadership, keeping fixed costs low relative to peer associations. Allied relationships with CMAA, APCD, ACCP, and CMAC extend industry reach without acquisition cost.

Name

PCMA

Legal name

Professional Club Marketing Association

Website

https://askpcma.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

PCMA is a nonprofit professional association founded in 1995 serving 800+ membership and marketing professionals at private clubs across North America. It delivers four industry-specific certifications (CMP, CCP, CRP, MCMP), an annual conference, and chapter-based networking through 18 regional chapters.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Association Services

NAICS

Professional Organizations (813920), Business Associations (813910)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Conference Communications, Marketing & Community Engagement (THAHACAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Virtual/Hybrid Conference Production & Platform Management (THAHACAM), Sponsorship, Exhibitor & Partnership Management Services (THAHACAK)

Keywords

• Professional association services
• Club membership certification
• Association membership management
• Industry education programs
• Professional networking events

Headquarters

HQ city

Daphne

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

Revenue model

1. Professional Membership Dues: Annual membership dues from Professional Members at $765/year (including $30 Chapter Education Fund), providing full access to all PCMA resources, certification programs, and conference attendance
2. Professional Associate Membership Dues: Annual dues at $640/year for associate members, providing access to member resources excluding certification programs and advanced courses
3. Professional Education Membership Dues: Annual dues at $425/year for previous Professional Members who earned CMP or MCMP accreditation and are no longer employed at a club
4. Professional Certification Fees: Certification programs including CMP ($1,700), CCP ($1,200), CRP ($1,200), and MCMP ($1,850). Individual courses available at $200 each. Master Core Courses available in bundle for $800 or $200 per course.
5. Annual Conference Registration: Conference registration at all-inclusive rate covering education sessions, networking events, breakfasts/lunches, and club tours. Early Bird Member: $2,300 (March 25 - April 30); General Member: $2,500 (May 1 - September 3). Guest attendance available for additional fees.
6. Professional Club Resource Partnership: Partnership program with two investment tiers and add-on opportunities for product and service providers seeking to connect with private club industry professionals

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

PCMA is a nonprofit professional membership association serving membership, marketing, communications, and member-relations professionals at private clubs. It sells annual memberships, professional certifications (CMP, CCP, CRP, MCMP), and an annual Business Exchange conference, supported by a national chapter network, educational webcasts, benchmarking reports, and vendor partnerships.

Product overview

PCMA (Professional Club Marketing Association) is the premier industry association for private club membership and marketing professionals, established in 1995 and serving 800+ members. The organization provides a comprehensive suite of professional development services anchored by four certification programs: CMP (Certified Membership/Marketing Professional), CCP (Certified Communications Professional), CRP (Certified Member Relations Professional), and MCMP (Master Certified Marketing Professional). The flagship offering is the Annual Club Membership & Marketing Conference, along with on-demand webcasts, document archives, industry whitepapers, and Annual Club Trends & Compensation Reports. PCMA operates through tiered membership (Professional, Associate, Education) and maintains a network of regional chapters across North America. Additional services include a Career Board, PCMA Mobile App, Club Membership Challenge, and a Product Partners Program featuring exclusive member discounts.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CMP Certification (Certified Membership Professional) Foundational professional certification for private club membership directors, validating competency in membership marketing, sales, retention, and operations; available to current PCMA members meeting eligibility requirements.
• CCP Certification (Certified Club Professional) Mid-to-senior level certification for club membership professionals pursuing advanced mastery of strategic membership leadership and operations.
• CRP Certification (Certified Recreation Professional) Specialized certification focused on recreation programming, member engagement, and activity-driven retention within private clubs.
• MCMP Certification (Master Certified Membership Professional) Highest-tier designation recognizing mastery and leadership in private club membership practice, typically pursued after earning the CMP credential.
• Annual Business Exchange Conference Multi-day annual industry conference providing education sessions, vendor trade show, and networking for club membership and marketing professionals.
• Professional Membership Core annual membership tier for active private club membership, marketing, communications, and member-relations professionals, granting access to chapter events, certification programs, webcasts, and member resources.
• Professional Associate Membership Annual membership tier for industry partners, vendors, consultants, and supplier-side professionals who serve private clubs.
• Professional Education Membership Education-focused membership tier providing access to learning resources, webcasts, and educational programming for club professionals.
• Career Center (Job Board) Online job board connecting private-club employers with candidates seeking membership, marketing, communications, and member-relations roles.
• PCMA Mobile App Mobile application providing members with on-the-go access to community, content, and member resources.
• Webcast Archive On-demand library of recorded educational webcasts covering club membership, marketing, and member-engagement topics for member professional development.
• National Chapter Network Regional and local chapters providing in-person meetings, networking, and education events for PCMA members across the U.S. and Canada.
• Annual Club Trends & Compensation Reports Industry benchmarking publications reporting membership, marketing, and compensation trends across private clubs, produced periodically for members.
• Product Partners Program Vendor partnership and sponsorship program allowing club-industry suppliers to gain visibility, exhibit at the Business Exchange, and reach PCMA's membership base.
• Document Archive Member-accessible online repository of templates, sample documents, and reference materials supporting club membership and marketing operations.
• Club Membership Challenge Peer benchmarking and recognition program in which private clubs submit membership performance data for industry-wide comparison and awards.

Quantifiable outcome

• 85% conversion rate for trial membership programs (Champion Hills case study)
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Little Owl EntertainmentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 August 2024Strategic partnership announced August 30, 2024 with Nashville-based Little Owl Entertainment to transform event experiences at private clubs. Little Owl specializes in turnkey live music packages, customized events, talent booking, and production for high-end private clubs. They offer unique experiential show packages including Music City Live, Country Club Music Fest, and Holiday Hits Live.
• Pacesetter TechnologycoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner specializing in custom mobile apps designed to elevate the private club member experience. Built specifically for clubs, their platform enhances member recognition, communication, and engagement with features like reservations, event registration, messaging, and personalized service tools.
• Reliable Background ScreeningcoreTechnology or IntegrationLeading provider of comprehensive background check services with specialized expertise in serving private clubs. Over 35 years of experience helping club professionals make informed decisions on prospective members and employees through FCRA-compliant screening reports.
• ClubessentialcoreTechnology or IntegrationLeading technology provider offering an all-in-one software platform built specifically for private clubs. Integrated suite includes membership management, websites and mobile apps, reservations, point-of-sale, accounting, CRM, and payment processing.
• Jonas Club SoftwarecoreTechnology or IntegrationComprehensive all-in-one club management platform serving over 2,000 clubs worldwide. Connects membership management, accounting, point-of-sale, reservations, and member engagement into a single system.
• Alignment ResourcescoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLeadership development and coaching organization based in Austin, Texas. Helps professionals strengthen communication, build influence, and create aligned relationships through coaching, workshops, and group programs. Hosts weekly Office Hours with founder Greg.
• Capstone HospitalitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpecialized sales and marketing partner dedicated to helping private clubs accelerate membership growth. Provides on-site or remote membership sales directors, data-driven strategies, and targeted marketing support to drive qualified leads, increase tours, and improve conversion rates.
• Southern Bungalow Co.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProduct partner specializing in private label candle programs for private clubs. Hand-poured coconut wax candles (60-hour burn time) with custom labeling. Exclusive volume-discounted pricing for PCMA members on candles used as member welcome gifts, milestone gifts, and retail items.
• YourMembership.comcoreTechnology or IntegrationAssociation management software provider powering the PCMA member portal, website, event registration, and online community. Enables membership management, email marketing, event management, and career center functionality.
• Association of Club Catering Professionals (ACCP)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAllied association for sharing educational venues and representing the broader private club industry.
• Association of Private Club Directors (APCD)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAllied association for sharing educational venues and representing the broader private club industry.
• Club Management Association of Canada (CMAC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAllied association for sharing educational venues and representing the broader private club industry in Canada.
• Club Management Association of America (CMAA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor allied association for club management professionals. PCMA maintains allied status for educational venue sharing and industry representation.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Club Management Association of America (CMAA): The largest U.S. association for private club managers (GMs, COOs, clubhouse managers), overlapping with PCMA's audience at the same clubs — both serve private club professionals, but CMAA targets general management while PCMA targets membership/marketing. They are explicitly allied for educational venue sharing.
• National Club Association (NCA): The Washington, D.C.-based trade association representing private clubs themselves (rather than individual professionals). NCA focuses on advocacy, legal resources, and operations benchmarking, complementing PCMA's professional development focus on membership and marketing.
• Association of Club Catering Professionals (ACCP): Allied association for club F&B and catering professionals, sharing educational venues with PCMA. Together they form a federation of functionally specialized associations serving different roles inside the same private club industry.
• Association of Private Club Directors (APCD): An allied association of PCMA focused specifically on private club board members, owners, and directors. Shares educational venues and representation duties with PCMA under mutual allied status, addressing the governance layer of the same private club market PCMA's members serve.

Broad incumbents

• Meeting Professionals International (MPI): A much larger global association for meeting and event professionals with a similar membership-and-certification model (CMP designation, chapters, annual conference). Comparable business structure and revenue mechanics, but serving the meetings/events industry rather than private clubs.
• American Society of Association Executives (ASAE): The umbrella industry body for association professionals and a platform for cross-pollination across specialized associations like PCMA. Provides benchmarking, leadership training, and an FICP credit program that PCMA leaders can leverage, but does not directly compete for PCMA's member base.

Emerging players

• Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI): Global association for sales, marketing, and revenue optimization professionals in hospitality, hotels, and travel. Closely analogous to PCMA in serving sales/marketing professionals with certifications, chapters, and conferences, but focused on hospitality broadly rather than private clubs specifically.

Regional players

• Club Management Association of Canada (CMAC): The Canadian counterpart to CMAA serving private club professionals across Canada. Maintains a mutual allied relationship with PCMA and represents an adjacent but geographically distinct chapter of the broader club management ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/askpcma

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 PCMA