INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CONFERENCE CENTERS

Name

INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CONFERENCE CENTERS

Legal name

International Association of Conference Centers

Website

https://iacconline.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Association Services

NAICS

Professional Organizations (81392), Business Associations (813910), 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 industry

Corporate Conference Center Hotels (THAGALAF)

Keywords

• Conference venue certification
• Meeting industry standards
• Venue membership association
• Hospitality training programs
• Meeting planner resources

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago, Illinois

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. Venue Membership Dues: Annual company-wide membership dues charged to commercial venues (hotels, conference centers), experiential venues, and corporate venues. Dues vary by region and membership category. This is the primary revenue stream supporting IACC's global operations.
2. Associate Supplier Membership Dues: Annual company-wide dues charged to approved supplier/associate members who provide goods and services to IACC certified venues globally. Dues vary by region: USD$2,300 in the Americas, £975 in Europe, AUD$900 in Australia Asia Pacific.
3. Individual and Faculty/Student Membership Dues: Annual individual dues for Friends of IACC (including meeting planners) and Faculty/Student members. Provides access to member resources, networking, and professional development. Dues vary by region.
4. Job Board Fees: Non-members pay USD$400 per job posting to list vacancies on the IACC Job Board. Job listings remain active for 30 days and are auto-deleted thereafter unless renewed. IACC members post at no charge.
5. Staff Exchange and Internship Program Services: IACC facilitates global staff exchanges and internship placements between member venues at no fee. The program serves member retention and talent development goals, strengthening the membership value proposition.
6. Professional Training Programs: IACC delivers sales solutions training through Master Connection Associates (MCA), and Food & Beverage Excellence workshops through thrive! meetings & events. These programs provide revenue and extend the association's professional development reach.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

IACC is a global nonprofit professional association that certifies meeting and conference venues against its Global Quality Standards, representing less than 400 venues worldwide. It sells annual membership subscriptions across multiple categories (commercial, experiential, corporate venues, associate suppliers, and individual friends/students), and delivers associated member services including a global venue directory, RFP submission platform, professional training programs (sales, F&B excellence), networking events, the Meeting Room of the Future trends report, and staff exchange/internship programs.

Product overview

IACC is a global professional association representing approximately 400 certified meeting and conference venues worldwide. The organization provides venue certification against Gold-Standard Global Quality Standards and offers a portfolio of member services including the flagship Meeting Room of the Future annual report, AI guidance publications (three editions covering sales/operations/HR), the Global Copper Skillet culinary competition, IACC Sales Solutions training, F&B Excellence training, mentorship and internship programs, and the Global Staff Exchange Program. Events include Knowledge Exchange conferences (Americas, Europe, Asia Pacific), study tours, and webinars. The association also provides venue finder and RFP tools for meeting planners, plus Preferred Rates partner discounts.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• IACC Certified Venue Designation Gold-standard venue certification awarded to meeting and conference venues that meet IACC's Global Quality Standards, covering venue design, services, food and beverage, technology, staffing, and corporate social responsibility. Less than 400 venues globally achieve this designation.
• Meeting Room of the Future Global Trends Report Flagship annual research publication providing insights into dynamics shaping meeting and event spaces, tracking shifts including hybrid events, sustainability, and technology. Achieved over 50,000 downloads globally since launch.
• Guide to AI for Conference & Meeting Hotels and Venues Three-edition comprehensive guide series covering AI applications in sales/marketing, venue operations, and human resources/training for conference venues. Available to members via password access.
• IACC Global Copper Skillet Competition Annual culinary competition recognizing outstanding conference venue chefs globally with senior and junior (under 28) categories, culminating in a global finale.
• IACC Sales Solutions Training Program Multi-level sales, leadership and meeting excellence training program delivered through on-property sessions, facilitator-led virtual programs, and eLearning courses, developed in partnership with Master Connection Associates (MCA).
• IACC F&B Difference Training Program Six-course food and beverage excellence training series covering dietary needs, food safety regulations, and inclusive dining experiences, delivered in partnership with thrive! meetings & events.
• Global Staff Exchange Program International employee exchange program enabling staff of IACC member venues to work at other member properties across different countries for periods ranging from 2 weeks to 4 months.
• Global Internship Program National and international internship opportunities at IACC member conference venues across 26+ countries, available to hospitality students.
• IACC Mentoring Program Career development program connecting IACC members with experienced industry mentors, available to members and hospitality students.
• Green Star Certification Environmental certification program for IACC venues demonstrating leadership in environmental sustainability and social responsibility.
• IACC Venue Finder / Venue Directory Online searchable directory of IACC-certified venues accessible to meeting planners globally, with each venue profile including photos, capacity details, facilities, and contact information.
• IACC RFP Submission Platform Integrated Request for Proposal (RFP) tool enabling meeting planners to submit enquiries to up to 5 IACC certified venues simultaneously, facilitating direct B2B connection between planners and member venues.
• IACC Knowledge Exchange Events Regional annual conferences including Americas Knowledge Exchange, Europe Knowledge Festival, and Asia Pacific Study Tour, serving as primary touchpoints for member recruitment, retention, and community building across three global chapters.
• IACC Webinar Series Regular webinar series (typically 40-60 minutes) covering topics such as Green Star certification, meeting room design, dietary needs, sales skills, and AI for venues, including member-exclusive content and on-demand recordings.
• IACC Preferred Rates Partner Program Discounted services for IACC members from partners including Meetings Professionals International (20% off first-year membership), Visiting Media (10% off immersive solutions), and FlippingBook (20% off first payment).
• IACC Job Board Online job board for the IACC venue industry where non-members pay USD$400 per posting (active for 30 days) and IACC members post free of charge.
• MultiPOD Meeting Framework Unique meeting format framework merging in-person and virtual participation with a gold-star standard framework emphasizing venue brilliance at the heart of the experience.

Quantifiable outcome

• IACC's Meeting Room of the Future report has achieved over 50,000 downloads globally since 2016
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability7 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Meetings Professionals International (MPI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIACC and MPI maintain a strategic partnership offering IACC members a 20% discount on first-year MPI individual membership. MPI brings planners face-to-face with IACC member suppliers through MPI Exchange events. The partnership also includes collaborative educational content and mutual promotion of events.
• NYU Jonathan M. Tisch Center of HospitalitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIACC and NYU's Tisch Center of Hospitality have entered into a strategic alliance offering IACC certified venue operators student workplace placements. NYU undergraduate events students seek 300 hours of work experience; graduate students seek 150 hours per semester. Bruno Eeckels serves as the liaison.
• Kendall College (NLU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIACC maintains a hospitality school partnership with Kendall College, part of National Louis University, providing internship placements and career pathways for hospitality students into IACC member conference venues.
• IMEX ExhibitionscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerIACC participates in IMEX Las Vegas and IMEX Frankfurt through the IACC Global Village, providing IACC member venues with visibility among meeting planners and buyers at the world's largest events industry trade shows.
• FlippingbookminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFlippingbook is a preferred partner offering IACC members an exclusive 20% off first payment on any FlippingBook plan (on top of standard 25% annual discount). Flippingbook transforms PDF content into interactive online flipbooks used by IACC members for marketing materials.
• Master Connection Associates (MCA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIACC partners with Master Connection Associates (MCA) to deliver bespoke sales, leadership, and guest service training specifically designed for IACC certified conference venues. MCA has been embedded in this niche as the industry's premier provider of such training.
• thrive! meetings & eventscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIACC partners with thrive! meetings & events to deliver customized Food & Beverage Excellence training addressing dietary trends, regulations, and wellness. The partnership supports IACC venues in creating safe, nutritious, and profitable F&B experiences.
• Healthy Venues (World Obesity Federation)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIACC partners with the World Obesity Federation's Healthy Venues initiative to promote health and wellbeing standards at conference venues, supporting delegate wellness beyond traditional hospitality.
• Events Industry Council (EIC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIACC maintains an alliance with the Events Industry Council, contributing to industry-wide standards, ethics, and professional development initiatives that shape the broader meetings and events sector.
• Danish Conference VenuesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDanish Conference Venues is a partner organization representing conference venues in Denmark, collaborating with IACC on best practices and industry standards for the Nordic region.
• Svenska MötenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSvenska Möten (Swedish Meetings) is a partner organization representing Swedish meeting venues, collaborating with IACC on industry standards and best practices for the Swedish market.
• IAVM (International Association of Venue Managers)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIAVM is a global association for venue managers. IACC's partnership with IAVM supports industry-wide professional standards and knowledge sharing across venue management disciplines.
• Society for Hospitality Foodservice Management (SFHM)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSFHM is a professional organization for hospitality foodservice management. IACC's partnership supports best practices in food and beverage excellence across IACC member venues.
• Grupo PUNTO MICEminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrupo PUNTO MICE is a MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions) organization representing the Spanish-speaking market, collaborating with IACC on industry standards and member services in Latin America.
• Nordic LuxuryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNordic Luxury represents luxury venues and experiences in the Nordic region, partnering with IACC on industry standards and premium venue recognition.
• Micenet AsiaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMicenet Asia is an Asia-focused MICE industry publication and platform. IACC's partnership supports visibility and member services in the Asia Pacific region through Micenet Asia's media network.
• Meetings Mean BusinessminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMeetings Mean Business is an industry coalition promoting the value of meetings and events. IACC's alliance supports advocacy and awareness campaigns for the meetings industry globally.
• La CLEminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLa CLE (La Ligue des Champions de l'Événement) represents leading French event professionals. IACC's partnership supports industry collaboration and best practice sharing in the French events market.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• La CLE (Ligue des Champions de l'Événement): La CLE is a French association representing leading event professionals. IACC's partnership with La CLE signals it as a peer organization in the French events market with similar association-driven mission.
• Danish Conference Venues: Danish Conference Venues is the Danish national venue association, functioning as a regional equivalent of IACC for the Nordic/Danish market. It is an IACC partner organization.
• Svenska Möten (Swedish Meetings): Svenska Möten is the Swedish national meeting industry association, directly comparable to IACC at a national level. IACC lists it as a partner organization, confirming overlapping venue-representation scope.
• Grupo PUNTO MICE: Grupo PUNTO MICE is a Spanish-language MICE industry organization serving Latin America and Spain. IACC partners with it to extend reach into Spanish-speaking markets, making it a comparable regional peer.

Direct peers

• Society of Incentive & Travel Executives (SITE): SITE is a global association for the incentive and motivational travel industry. It overlaps with IACC's experiential venue segment and shares a membership-association business model targeting similar MICE professionals.
• Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA): PCMA is a leading association for convention and meeting professionals offering education, certification (CMP), and events comparable to IACC's Knowledge Exchanges. Both organizations serve the same planner/venue audience with adjacent value propositions.
• International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM): IAVM is a global association for venue managers across stadiums, arenas, and convention centers. IACC's partnership with IAVM signals overlapping scope in venue management, training, and standards.
• Meetings Professionals International (MPI): MPI is a global association for meeting and event professionals with a similar membership-based, education-and-certification model. IACC already partners with MPI for cross-promotion and a 20% first-year member discount, making it the most direct comparable.
• Events Industry Council (EIC): EIC is an umbrella body for the events industry that develops standards, ethics, and professional credentials. IACC has an active alliance with EIC, positioning it as a peer that competes for the same association mindshare of venues and planners.

Broad incumbents

• American Society of Association Executives (ASAE): ASAE is the broader umbrella association for association management professionals in the U.S. It is comparable as a peer model (nonprofit membership body delivering education, standards, and events) but operates across all association types rather than narrowly on conference venues.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/IACCmeetings
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCArjlcSgqRDBrPC93m0iYBg?feature=watch
• Facebookfacebook.com/IACCmeetings
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/international-association-of-conference-centers
• Instagraminstagram.com/iaccmeetings

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CONFERENCE CENTERS