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.”
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
The Events Industry Council’s worldwide federation includes 30+ Association Members and 30+ Corporate Members with global operations and event teams in countries around the world. EIC’s collective network touches an estimated half a million event professionals and more than
70,000 organisations across the global business events ecosystem.
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 (http://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 72 countries and communities. 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 leading global not-for-profit media assurance organization, the Alliance for Audited Media advances transparency, accountability and trust across media and advertising. From cross media audits and data verification to industry certifications in areas such as brand safety, measurement, retail media and ethical AI, AAM validates the data and processes that power today’s media. Through impartial assurance and forward-thinking frameworks, AAM helps organizations demonstrate credibility and authenticity in a rapidly evolving media ecosystem. Learn more at auditedmedia.com.