Event Planners Trade Associations

Association of Bridal Consultants (ABC)

Oldest and one of the largest global professional organizations for the wedding sector; offers training, standards, and a network for planners and suppliers in 27 countries.

https://bridalassn.com Membership: 4,000

Corporate Event Marketing Association (CEMA)

Community for senior corporate event marketers (a PCMA division) delivering executive-level education, peer networking, and thought leadership; membership historically around 800+.

https://www.pcma.org Membership: 800

Destinations International

Global association for destination organizations and CVBs offering research, education (e.g., CDME), advocacy, and a powerful peer network; 755 destination members as of 2025.

https://destinationsinternational.org Membership: 755

Event Service Professionals Association (ESPA)

Only association focused on event service pros at CVBs, hotels, and convention centers; provides education, advocacy and a peer community across North America; nearly 500 members.

https://espaonline.org Membership: 500

Events Industry Council (EIC)

Federation of industry associations that advances standards, advocacy, and recognition (CMP program) for the global business events ecosystem; 34 association members representing 103,500 individuals.

https://eventscouncil.org Membership: 34

International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE)

Leading association for exhibitions and events professionals worldwide; provides education (CEM), advocacy, and community for organizers and suppliers; represents about 12,000 industry professionals.

https://www.iaee.com Membership: 12,000

International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO)

Accredited network of professional congress organizers elevating PCO standards via training and best practices; 92 member companies with 180 offices worldwide.

https://www.iapco.org Membership: 92

International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM)

Association for public-assembly venue leaders (arenas, convention centers, PACs, stadiums); offers education, advocacy, and benchmarking for 8,000+ active members.

https://iavm.org Membership: 8,000

International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA)

Global community and knowledge hub for the international association meetings sector; 1,100+ members in ~100 countries with data, education, and networking.

https://www.iccaworld.org Membership: 1,100

International Festivals & Events Association (IFEA)

Global network for festival and event producers, suppliers, and managers; provides education (CFEE), recognition, and a buyers’ guide; 3,000+ premier members.

https://www.ifea.com Membership: 3,000

International Live Events Association (ILEA)

Global community of creative live-event professionals with chapters worldwide; delivers education, networking, and recognition for producers, planners, and suppliers; ~2,000 members.

https://www.ileahub.com Membership: 2,000

Meeting Professionals International (MPI)

Largest global association for meeting and event professionals; delivers education (MPI Academy), major conferences (WEC), and 60+ chapters; ~13,000 engaged members.

https://www.mpi.org Membership: 13,000

National Association for Catering and Events (NACE)

U.S. community for catering and event professionals offering education, CPCE certification, and 40+ chapters nationwide; membership exceeds 3,500.

https://www.nace.net Membership: 3,500

National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals (NCBMP)

Nonprofit dedicated to training, networking, and advocacy for Black meeting professionals and allies; community of about 1,500 members with annual conference and year-round programs.

https://ncbmp.com Membership: 1,500

Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA)

Global platform for business events strategists delivering executive education, research, and flagship events (Convening Leaders); about 8,200 active members.

https://www.pcma.org Membership: 8,200

Society of Government Meeting Professionals (SGMP)

U.S. association exclusively for government meeting professionals and supplier partners; provides CGMP certification, compliance education, and networking for nearly 1,500 members.

https://www.sgmp.org Membership: 1,500

Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE)

Only global association dedicated to incentive travel; 3,100 members in 90 countries with education, certification, and advocacy for motivation travel programs.

https://siteglobal.com Membership: 3,100

Society of Independent Show Organizers (SISO)

Voice of for‑profit show organizers; 195+ member companies producing 3,500+ events; known for CEO Summit, Leadership Conference, and advocacy via ECA.

https://www.siso.org Membership: 195

UFI – The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry

Global exhibition industry association representing organizers, venues, and associations; 891 member organizations with research, events, and the UFI Global Congress.

https://www.ufi.org Membership: 891

Wedding International Professionals Association (WIPA)

Nonprofit for wedding professionals offering education, ethics standards, and 20+ chapters; surpassed 2,200 members as of 2024–2025.

https://www.wipa.org Membership: 2,200