FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – April 24, 2006
CONTACT: Mary E. Power, CAE, President & CEO
Convention Industry Council
(703) 610-9030
mpower@conventionindustry.org

 

CONVENTION INDUSTRY COUNCIL (CIC) WELCOMES
NEW MEMBERS
The Association of Collegiate Conference and Events Directors-International and
The International Association of Association Management Companies Join CIC

McLean– April 24, 2006– The Convention Industry Council (CIC) recently approved the Association of Collegiate Conference and Events Directors-International (ACCED-I) and The International Association of Association Management Companies (IAAMC) as its newest member organizations at the CIC April Board of Directors Meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana. CIC’s 32 member organizations now represent more than 103,500 individuals as well as over 17,300 firms and properties involved in the meetings, conventions and exhibitions industry.

“The addition of International Association of Association Management Companies and the Association of Collegiate Conference and Event Directors-International helps extend the reach of CIC to keys area for the development of both the CMP and APEX programs,” said Thomas M. Mobley, Jr., Chairman of the CIC Board of Directors. “We are looking forward to working closely with both organizations to help move our industry forward."

Since 1980 ACCED-I has increased the visibility and enhanced the stature of the collegiate conference and events profession world-wide. The ACCED-I is a nonprofit organization committed solely to the collegiate conference and events profession. The collegiate niche is responsible for delivering more than 133,000 conferences and events that bring over 4.5 million people to campuses. Currently, ACCED-I has a membership of over 1,500 professionals representing approximately 640 educational institutions and 41 corporations in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. By acting as a premier resource and providing a solid foundation for collegiate conference and events professionals, ACCED-I will help promote and encourage all CIC programs and forms of education.

“It's time for ACCED-I to take an even more active role in promoting the collegiate meeting component -- enhancing the industry, facilitating the exchange of information, developing programs to promote professionalism, and educating the public on our economic impact within the meetings industry,” commented Barbara Romano of Cornell University, President of ACCED-I. “We feel we can best do this by being a contributing member of the CIC."

IAAMC is international nonprofit trade association comprised of 143 association management companies that provide association management and professional services to over 2,000 volunteer-governed organizations and for-profit companies. Its members include companies that are demonstrated leaders in the association industry, committed to high quality and value-added association management and professional services. Since 1964, IAAMC has provided a means by which association management companies can coordinate their efforts to advance the status and scope of the association management company industry. With member offices throughout the US in addition to Canada, UK, Netherlands, Switzerland, Russia, Singapore, China, Australia, South Africa, and Japan, IAAMC will support and encourage the global expansion of all CIC programs, including the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) and Accepted Practices Exchange (APEX).

"IAAMC looks forward to partnering with CIC to advance the meeting industry and the association management company concept,” said Suzanne Pine, Executive Vice President of IAAMC. “We know that we will be able to learn from each other and we look forward to the opportunity."

A meeting of the CIC board of directors is held twice each year, typically in March and October. Those interested in applying for membership with CIC can view the membership application by visiting www.conventionindustry.org. Interested organizations should be sure to review all qualifications for membership prior to submitting the application. Completed applications, including all required back-up documentation must be submitted to CIC at least thirty days prior to the board of directors meeting. For more information or questions concerning membership, visit www.conventionindustry.org.

The Convention Industry Council’s 32 member organizations represent more than 103,500 individuals as well as over 17,300 firms and properties involved in the meetings, conventions and exhibitions industry. Formed in 1949 to provide a forum for member organizations seeking to enhance the industry, the CIC facilitates the exchange of information and develops programs to promote professionalism within the industry and educates the public on its profound economic impact. In addition to the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) Program and the Accepted Practices Exchange (APEX) initiative, CIC’s other programs include the Hall of Leaders, Project Attrition, the Prestigious CIC Cup, and the CIC Economic Impact Study. Additional information on the Convention Industry Council can be found at www.conventionindustry.org.

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