EMA

What EMA does

PCMA (Professional Convention Management Association) is a US-based nonprofit professional membership association, headquartered in Chicago, Illinois and governed by Illinois law. It operates as the world's largest network of business event strategists, serving 8,000+ professional and student members and reaching 100,000 business event stakeholders across 59 countries. The organization runs a global portfolio of flagship events — Convening Leaders (Miami), Convening EMEA (Lisbon), Convening APAC (Singapore), Convening LATAM (Lima), Business Events Industry Week, CEMA Summit, and Convene 4 Climate — alongside professional certifications (CMP and DES), the Convene Magazine and Convene Podcast publications, the PCMA Institute online learning platform, and the Spark AI tool for event professionals.

PCMA monetizes primarily through tiered annual membership dues ($120 Next Gen, $360 Business Event Professional, $485 Supplier Event Professional), event registration fees for its conferences, and education/certification course fees (CMP Exam Prep at $599-$995, DES certification at $895, quiz packs and domain modules). The Convene Magazine subscription and advertising, DMO and hospitality sponsorships, and the affiliated PCMA Foundation provide additional revenue streams. Distribution is delivered through direct membership sales, self-serve online learning via the PCMA Institute, regional chapters, and Collectives, with co-marketing partnerships with major hotel chains (Marriott, Hilton, Caesars) and destination marketing organizations.

The go-to-market motion is event-driven and community-led: flagship conferences and regional meet-ups drive both acquisition and retention, while the PCMA Axis community platform, advisory boards, and a multi-channel content ecosystem (newsletter, social, webinars, podcast) sustain engagement year-round. The customer base is segmented across business event professionals, supplier event professionals, DMOs, associations, corporate meeting planners, and students, with hybrid persona/business-unit segmentation.

Name

EMA

Legal name

Professional Convention Management Association

Website

https://ema-uk.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

PCMA is a US-headquartered nonprofit professional membership association serving the global business events industry. It operates flagship conferences (Convening Leaders, Convening EMEA, Convening APAC, Convening LATAM), professional certifications (CMP, DES), Convene Magazine, and the PCMA Institute to 8,000+ members across 59 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Association Services

NAICS

Professional Organizations (813920), 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), Conference Communications, Marketing & Community Engagement (THAHACAN)

Keywords

• Professional association services
• Event management certification
• Business events industry
• Continuing professional education
• Industry networking community

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: PCMA generates revenue primarily through annual membership fees from professional members ($360 for Business Event Professionals, $485 for Supplier Event Professionals), Next Gen members ($120), and associate/student members. Membership provides access to education, networking, events, and publications.
2. Event Registrations: Revenue from registration fees for major events including Convening EMEA, Convening Leaders, CEMA Summit, Business Events Industry Week, and regional meet-ups. Registration rates vary by member status and event.
3. Education and Certification Courses: PCMA generates revenue through course fees including CMP Exam Prep (live: $795 member/$995 non-member; on-demand: $599 member/$749 non-member), DES certification ($895), and various quiz packs and domain modules.
4. Convene Magazine and Publications: Convene Magazine is available by subscription and included with membership. Digital edition access and CMP Series continuing education content provide additional value to members.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

PCMA is a global professional membership association that sells annual memberships, industry conferences, professional certifications (CMP and DES), and continuing education to business events industry professionals. Core offerings include tiered individual memberships, premier regional conferences (Convening EMEA, Convening Leaders, Convening APAC, Convening LATAM), certification exam prep courses, Convene Magazine, and an online community platform. The organization generates revenue through membership dues, event registration fees, certification course fees, and publication subscriptions.

Product overview

PCMA (Professional Convention Management Association) is a membership and community-based organization serving the business events industry. The organization offers a comprehensive portfolio of products and services including major industry conferences (Convening EMEA, Convening Leaders, Convening APAC, Convening LATAM, Business Events Summit, Business Events Industry Week), professional certifications (Digital Event Strategist DES and Certified Meeting Professional CMP exam prep), educational content (Convene Magazine, Convene Podcast, On-Demand Library, PCMA Institute), and membership programs (including specialized Next Gen and Student tiers). The ecosystem also includes affiliated communities (CEMA, PCMA Foundation) and emerging AI-powered tools like Spark for event professionals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• PCMA Annual Membership (Business Event Professional, Supplier, Associate tiers)
• Convening EMEA
• Convening Leaders
• Convening APAC
• Convening LATAM
• Business Events Industry Week (BEIW)
• CEMA Summit
• Digital Event Strategist (DES) Certification
• CMP Exam Prep
• Convene Magazine
• PCMA Institute (Online Learning Platform)
• Next Gen Membership
• Student Membership
• CMP Quiz Packs and Domain Modules
• Spark - AI for Event Professionals
• Convening EMEA (additional context) and Convene 4 Climate

Quantifiable outcome

• CMP holders earn nearly $11,000 more on average than colleagues without certification ($104,262 vs $93,506)
• +2 more outcomes

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

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• EncorecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEncore is listed as an Uber & Strategic Partner of PCMA, providing event production and technology solutions for the business events industry.
• Marriott InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor hospitality partner providing lodging and venue services for PCMA events and members.
• HiltoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic hospitality partner providing accommodation and event venues for PCMA events and community.
• Orange County Convention CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConvention venue partner listed in PCMA's partner ecosystem.
• Visit OrlandominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDestination marketing partner promoting Orlando as a business events destination.
• Visit Austin / Austin Convention CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDestination partner for Austin, Texas business events market.
• CaesarsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHospitality and entertainment partner providing venue and accommodation options.
• Destination CanadaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational tourism organization partner promoting Canada as a meetings destination.
• Destination ClevelandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCleveland Convention & Visitors Bureau partner for Midwest business events.
• Experience ColumbusminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerColumbus, Ohio destination marketing organization partner.
• Destination DC / Washington.orgminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWashington DC destination marketing partner, host of Business Events Industry Week.
• Visit DetroitminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDetroit destination marketing organization partner.
• Greater Fort Lauderdale / Visit LauderdaleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSouth Florida destination marketing partner.
• Visit HoustonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHouston destination marketing partner in Texas.
• Discover Puerto RicominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPuerto Rico destination marketing organization partner.
• PCMA FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliated foundation providing scholarships, grants, and fundraising for PCMA educational initiatives and industry advancement.
• CEMA (Corporate Event Marketing Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliated organization under PCMA umbrella, focused on corporate event marketing professionals.
• PCMA InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational arm of PCMA providing professional development courses, certifications (CMP, DES), and continuing education.
• Tourismo de LisboacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLisbon's official tourism board, host partner for Convening EMEA 2026.
• Turismo de PortugalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPortugal's national tourism board, host partner for Convening EMEA 2026.
• LeadingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner for Convening EMEA 2026.
• IMEXeventsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTier 2 partner for Convening EMEA, business events industry exhibition organizer.
• Philadelphia Convention & Visitors BureauminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDestination partner collaborating with PCMA for events and industry initiatives.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights14 records

Direct peers

• ICCA (International Congress and Convention Association): ICCA is a global association focused on international association meetings, with members including destinations, suppliers, and meeting organizers. Directly comparable to PCMA in serving the business events ecosystem internationally.
• UFI (Global Association of the Exhibition Industry): UFI is a global association for exhibition industry professionals and venue operators, with membership, education programs, and global events. Comparable in serving the broader business events ecosystem with similar association model.
• ASAE (American Society of Association Executives): ASAE is the leading U.S. association for association professionals, with deep overlap in serving professionals who organize meetings and conventions. Compares in scale, mission (professional development/certification), and revenue model (membership + events + publications).
• MPI (Meeting Professionals International): MPI is the closest direct competitor to PCMA — a global membership association serving meeting and event professionals with education, certifications (CMP-eligible via EIC), and annual conferences (World Education Congress). Both compete for the same business event professional segment.
• SITE (Society of Incentive & Travel Executives): SITE is the global association for the incentive travel industry, with overlapping membership (corporate incentive event professionals) and a similar model of membership, education, and annual events. Adjacent niche but directly comparable structure.
• IAEE (International Association of Exhibitions and Events): IAEE serves the exhibitions and events industry globally with membership, education (CEM certification), and an annual conference. Directly comparable niche and member base to PCMA's business events focus.
• HSMAI (Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International): HSMAI serves hospitality sales, marketing, and revenue management professionals with membership, certifications, and conferences. Closely comparable to PCMA in adjacent vertical (hotel/event sales) with similar membership and education revenue streams.
• IMEX Group: IMEX operates the IMEX America and IMEX Frankfurt trade shows for the meetings industry, serving as both a competitor and partner to PCMA events. Directly comparable event-led business model targeting the same professional buyers and suppliers.

Emerging players

• Events Industry Council (EIC): EIC administers the CMP credential and sets industry standards. As the CMP body, it operates in the same certification ecosystem as PCMA's education arm but as a more standards-focused organization rather than a membership-driven conference organizer.

Others

• AMEX and BTN (Business Travel News): AMEX GBT and BTN provide media, events, and research for corporate travel and meetings managers, with overlapping audience (corporate meeting planners). Adjacent rather than direct competitor; ecosystem partner in serving PCMA's corporate planner segment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/pcmahq
• Facebookfacebook.com/PCMAHQ
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/event-marketing-association-uk
• Instagraminstagram.com/pcmahq

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries3 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 EMA