Convening Leaders 2026 Achieves Platinum Sustainable Event Standards Certification

PCMA’s flagship event achieves second consecutive Platinum certification from the Events Industry Council

WASHINGTON, D.C. (12 May 2026) – The Events Industry Council (EIC) announced today that Convening Leaders 2026 (CL26), PCMA’s premier education and networking event, has earned Platinum Level Certification to EIC’s Sustainable Event Standards — the program’s highest distinction.

“Earning Platinum certification for CL26 reflects PCMA’s continued commitment to advancing sustainability as a core principle of how we design and deliver experiences for the global business events community,” said Sherrif Karamat, CAE, President & CEO, PCMA and CEMA. “This achievement demonstrates what’s possible when the global community comes together to lead with intention, accountability and a shared vision for a more sustainable future.”

The EIC Sustainable Event Standards were created through a global collaborative process with participation from subject matter experts in all sectors. They provide a framework for collaboration and a strong focus on guidance and metrics so that event professionals at all stages of their sustainability journey have support to implement and measure sustainable practices.

The standards specify performance criteria in the areas of organisational management; marketing; communications and engagement; climate action; water management; materials and circularity; supply chain management; diversity, equity and inclusion; accessibility; and social impact. To date, more than 300 professionals have participated in the review of the standards. The event organiser standard is one of several comprehensive standards for more environmentally sustainable events.

EIC President and CEO Amy Calvert said, “PCMA continues to raise the bar for what sustainable events can achieve. Their leadership reinforces the role of business events as a powerful force for positive environmental and social impact.”

CL26 — held in Philadelphia, PCMA’s founding city 70 years ago in 1956 — saw an official total registration of 4,211, representing 43 countries and over 1,100 first time participants. PCMA collaborated with Honeycomb Strategies, sustainability consultants for the events industry, to ensure alignment with EIC standards. Independent verification was conducted by the Alliance for Audited Media.

“PCMA is setting a strong example for how sustainability can be embedded into event operations in a meaningful and measurable way,” said Richard Murphy, AAM’s CEO, president and managing director. “Through independent validation, PCMA is reinforcing trust and advancing greater transparency across the global events ecosystem.”