Convening Leaders 2025 Achieves Platinum Sustainable Event Standards Certification

PCMA’s annual flagship event advances from Silver Certification, setting a new benchmark for sustainable business events

WASHINGTON, D.C. (9 September 2025) – The Events Industry Council (EIC) announced today that Convening Leaders 2025 (CL25), the premier education and networking event hosted by PCMA, has earned Platinum Level Certification to EIC’s Sustainable Event Standards—the program’s highest distinction. This achievement marks a leap from CL24’s Silver Certification and signals PCMA’s accelerating leadership in sustainable event design. 

“Achieving Platinum Certification is more than a recognition—it’s proof of our belief that sustainability must be embedded in every decision we make,” said Sherrif Karamat, CAE, President and CEO, PCMA and CEMA. “This milestone builds on our earlier progress and affirms that business events can be both transformative experiences and responsible drivers of global change.” 

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 the support needed to implement and measure sustainable practices. 

The standards specify performance criteria in the areas of organizational 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 venue standard is one of several comprehensive standards for environmentally sustainable events. 

EIC President and CEO Amy Calvert applauded PCMA’s achievement: “This is a defining example of what it means to lead by action. PCMA’s Platinum Certification demonstrates that true industry progress comes when sustainability is not a side initiative but a core principle.” 

CL25 welcomed 3,800 participants in Houston and an additional 700 online, all benefiting from sustainability strategies shaped by PCMA’s collaboration with Honeycomb Strategies, sustainability consultants for the events industry, and that which ensure alignment with EIC standards. Independent verification was conducted by the Alliance for Audited Media (AAM). 

“PCMA’s practices demonstrate a deep and measurable commitment to environmental stewardship and accountability,” said Richard Murphy, AAM’s CEO, president and managing director. “We applaud their continuous progress and congratulate them on their achievement.” 

Contact:

For all EIC media enquiries, additional comment and request for interviews, please contact Steve Dobbins, Events Industry Council

Tel: +1 323 578 2671 / Email: media@eventscouncil.org

ABOUT EVENTS INDUSTRY COUNCIL ABOUT EVENTS INDUSTRY COUNCIL. The Events Industry Council’s global federation includes 33 Association Members representing 103,500 individuals and 19,500 entities, and 22 Corporate Members with global operations and event teams in countries around the world. 

EIC is the global champion for event professionals and event industry excellence. It promotes high standards and professionalism in the events industry with the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) programme and signature programme activities. The CMP credential is recognised globally as the badge of excellence in the events industry. The qualifications for certification are based on professional experience, education and a rigorous exam. Learn more at www.eventscouncil.org.

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 HONEYCOMB STRATEGIES

Honeycomb Strategies is a women-owned, B-Corp-certified sustainability consulting firm specializing in the hospitality, sports and event industries. We work with our clients to consider their business and environmental practices working together, not sacrificing one for the other. We believe when an organization is innovative and resourceful, it is successful. With decades of combined experience, we have enjoyed working with some of the most iconic and sustainable venues and events in the industry. Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter and The Bee’s Knees. hcsustainability.com

ABOUT THE ALLIANCE FOR AUDITED MEDIA

As the largest not-for-profit media assurance organization, the Alliance for Audited Media delivers impartial, credible data to help media buyers buy and sellers sell. AAM works alongside the media and advertising industry to establish standards that can be verified independently, ensuring the legitimacy of the businesses that drive media's progress. AAM also provides verification for compliance programs including brand safety, privacy, sustainability and tech assurance. Learn more at auditedmedia.com.