The Convention Industry Council (CIC) is a non-profit federation

Federation

A federation , also known as a federal state, is a type of sovereign state characterized by a union of partially self-governing states or regions united by a central government...

 of leading U.S. and international

International

----International mostly means something that involves more than one country. The term international as a word means involvement of, interaction between or encompassing more than one nation, or generally beyond national boundaries...

 organizations involved in the meetings, conventions and exhibitions industry. CIC’s member organizations represent more than 103,500 individuals and 17,300 firms or properties across all sectors of the industry.

Mission

Formed by organizations seeking to enhance the meetings, conventions, and exhibitions industry, CIC facilitates the exchange of information, develops programs to promote professionalism within the industry, and educates the public on its profound econofor leadership to productively and cohesively move it forward.

History

The Convention Liaison Council was founded in New York

New York

New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...

 in 1949 by four organizations – American Society of Association Executives

American Society of Association Executives

The American Society of Association Executives is the membership organization and voice of the association profession. Founded in 1920 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., ASAE now has more than 22,000 association CEOs, staff professionals, industry partners, and consultant members. ASAE...

 (ASAE); American Hotel and Motel Association (AH&MA); Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI); and International Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaus (IACVB). In 2000, the organization changed its name to the Convention Industry Council. In the 58 years since its inception, CIC has grown to include 32 member organizations. CIC is currently headquartered in Washington, DC.

Notable Programs

The Convention Industry Council's most notable programs include:

• The Certified Meeting Professional (CMP
  CMP
  - Medicine :* Cardiomyopathy, a heart muscle disease* Chondromalacia Patellae, a degenerative condition of the knee cap * Chronic myofascial pain, also known as Myofascial pain syndrome, a condition associated with hypersensitive muscular trigger points...
  
  ) program recognizes individuals who have achieved the industry's highest standard of professionalism. Established in 1985, the CMP program was developed to increase the proficiency of meeting professionals in all segments of the industry. The requirements for certification are based on professional experience and an academic examination.

• The Accepted Practices Exchange (APEX), an initiative spearheaded by CIC, is uniting the entire meetings, conventions and exhibitions industry in the development and implementation of voluntary standards. Over 5,600 industry professionals have been involved in the development of APEX. Its mission is to bring together all stakeholders in developing and implementing accepted practices to create and enhance efficiencies throughout the industry.

• Since 1985, CIC has honored the industry’s outstanding leaders and innovators through its Hall of Leaders initiative. CIC member organizations and the industry community submit nominations to a blue-ribbon committee appointed by CIC, which then selects the award recipients. A video tribute to each inductee is placed permanently on display at the Hall of Leaders Recognition Pavilion housed within the Washington Convention Center
  Washington Convention Center
  The Walter E. Washington Convention Center is a convention center located in Washington, D.C. owned and operated by the Washington Convention and Sports Authority . Designed by Atlanta-based architecture firm Thompson, Ventulett, Stainback & Associates, the convention center is located in a...
  
  . Additionally, a bronze plaque bearing the recipient’s name is displayed at McCormick Place
  McCormick Place
  McCormick Place is the largest convention center in the United States. It is made up of four interconnected buildings sited on and near the shore of Lake Michigan, about 4 km south of downtown Chicago, Illinois, USA. McCormick Place hosts numerous trade shows, including the Chicago Auto Show,...
  
   in Chicago
  Chicago
  Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
  
  . A gala ceremony marks the induction.

Member Organizations

• Association of Collegiate Conference and Events Directors-International (ACCED-I)
• AMC Institute – Formerly IAAMC
• Alliance of Meeting Management Companies (AMMC)
• American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA)
• American Society of Association Executives
  American Society of Association Executives
  The American Society of Association Executives is the membership organization and voice of the association profession. Founded in 1920 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., ASAE now has more than 22,000 association CEOs, staff professionals, industry partners, and consultant members. ASAE...
  
   and the Center for Executive Leadership (ASAE)
• Association for Convention Operations Management
  Association for Convention Operations Management
  The Association for Convention Operations Management is a non-profit professional organization for advancing the practice of convention services management in the meetings industry....
  
   (ACOM)
• Association of Destination Management Executives (ADME)
• Council of Engineering and Scientific Society Executives
  Council of Engineering and Scientific Society Executives
  The Council of Engineering and Scientific Society Executives is a non-profit professional organization for executive directors and executive vice presidents of science and engineering societies in the USA.Founded in 1977 and heaquartered in St...
  
   (CESSE)
• Center for Exhibition Industry Research
  Center for Exhibition Industry Research
  The Center for Exhibition Industry Research is a non-profit professional organization for the marketing, promotion, and importance of exhibitions.CEIR was found in 1978 as the Trade Show Bureau, the center is headquartered in Dallas, Texas ....
  
   (CEIR)
• Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI) – Formerly IACVB
• Exhibit Designers and Producers Association (EDPA)
• Exhibition Services & Contractors Association (ESCA)
• Financial & Insurance Conference Planners (FICP)
• Healthcare Convention and Exhibitors Association
  Healthcare Convention and Exhibitors Association
  The Healthcare Convention and Exhibitors Association is a professional association founded in 1930 dedicated to improving the industry of healthcare conventions, medical meetings and healthcare exhibit marketing.- History of HCEA :...
  
   (HCEA)
• Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI)
• International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM)
• International Association of Conference Centers (IACC)
• International Association for Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) – Formerly IAEM
• International Association of Protocol Consultants (IAPC)
• International Association of Speakers Bureaus (IASB)
• International Congress and Convention Association
  International Congress and Convention Association
  The International Congress and Convention Association was founded in 1963 by a group of travel agents to exchange information on international congresses and conventions....
  
   (ICCA)
• International Special Events Society (ISES)
• Meeting Professionals International
  Meeting Professionals International
  Meeting Professionals International is a professional community for the global meetings industry. Founded in 1972, the Dallas-based non-profit association has 68 chapters and clubs, over 24,000 members from 69 chapters in 20 countries around the world...
  
   (MPI)
• National Association of Catering Executives (NACE)
• National Coalition of Black Meeting Planners (NCBMP)
• National Speakers Association (NSA)
• Professional Convention Management Association
  Professional Convention Management Association
  The Professional Convention Management Association is the leading organization for meetings and event professionals. Its mission is to deliver superior and innovative education and promote the value of professional convention management.-Members:...
  
   (PCMA)
• Religious Conference Management Association (RCMA)
• Society of Government Meeting Professionals (SGMP)
• Society of Incentive and Travel Executives
  Society of Incentive and Travel Executives
  Founded in 1973, the Society of Incentive and Travel Executives is the only international, not-for-profit, professional association devoted to the pursuit of excellence in incentives, a multi-billion dollar global industry. Its global headquarters are in Chicago, Illinois...
  
   (SITE)
• Trade Show Exhibitors Association (TSEA)
  Trade Show Exhibitors Association
  The Trade Show Exhibitors Association is a US-based non-profit organization created to promote the development of the trade show industry and the expertise of professionals in exhibit and event marketing...