PCMA ADVANCES STRATEGIC ALLIANCES TO ENHANCE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, KNOWLEDGE EXCHANGE, AND GLOBAL IMPACT OF ASSOCIATION AND BUSINESS EVENTS COMMUNITY

Extends Partnership with EMA Spain; Re-Engages AC Forum

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS — PCMA has formalized strategic alliances with AC Forum and Event Managers Association (EMA) Spain to further strengthen cross-community collaboration, education, and innovation across Europe’s association and corporate business events sectors. Aligning with its 2030 vision – to be the platform for the global events community – PCMA is reinforcing this global leadership through these alliances which will deliver enhanced professional development, greater knowledge exchange, and increased results for the association and corporate events community.

“The extended partnership with EMA Spain and the renewed alliance with AC Forum represents an important step forward in strengthening the global voice of associations and ensuring their role as catalysts of social and economic transformation,” said Sherrif Karamat, CAE, PCMA and CEMA President & CEO. “Together, we look forward to delivering on meaningful opportunities for our communities to connect, learn, and lead.”

The renewal of the partnership between EMA and PCMA will support the objective of continuing to elevate the role of business events strategists and marketers and the relationships throughout the industry.

The alliance with EMA Spain extends into its second year. Rafael Grande, General Manager, EMA Spain shared, “For EMA Spain, it is an honor to renew the alliance with PCMA, with a view to strengthen and enhance the development of future business events. We are convinced that this cooperation will be key to generating new opportunities, fostering mutual growth and adding value to the business ecosystem in which we both participate. We firmly believe in the power of synergies, and this agreement represents a strategic step towards a fruitful and sustainable collaboration over time.”

AC Forum, a platform established exclusively for and by international and regional self- managed, not-for-profit associations, continues to drive high standards in association management. “It is widely recognised that more can be achieved when organisations that share objectives work in collaboration” said Finola Quinn, Association Manager, AC Forum. “With this collaboration agreement, AC Forum and PCMA will be better placed to serve the respective members and ultimately the communities they all serve for wider societal and environmental benefit. AC Forum values the relationship we have established with PCMA, to advance thought leadership and education for our members and the wider community.”

For media inquiries from the Americas, APAC, EMEA and LATAM, please contact: Meghan Risch, PCMA Chief of Staff, Vice President, Corporate Communications

About PCMA

PCMA, PCMA Foundation and CEMA educate, inspire, and listen, creating meaningful experiences where passion, purpose and commerce come together. We are the world’s largest community for Business Events Strategists, providing senior-level education, networking, and market intelligence for the global business events industry. Our mission is to drive social and economic progress through business events. Headquartered in Chicago, IL PCMA has 17 North American Chapters, regional communities in APAC, EMEA and LATAM, and members in 59 countries. The Corporate Event Marketing Association (CEMA), a PCMA subsidiary, advances strategic event marketing and marketing communications for senior-level event marketers and industry professionals. Visit us at pcma.org.

About AC Forum

AC Forum is the only platform established exclusively for and by associations. Our members are international and regional self-managed, not-for-profit associations. Members are associations aiming for excellence in association management. Membership is open to any self-managed organisation legally registered as a non- profit association according to the laws of the country in which it is constituted. To ensure a fruitful and open exchange of information, membership is subject to various organisational criteria.

About EMA Spain

The Event Managers Association (EMA) is a professional forum for corporate event managers, currently with 650 members. The EMA stands as the leading representative, training, and experience-sharing body for corporate event managers.