Which Association Should I Join?

There was a time when I was a rebel. If you go back to 2007, you’ll read some furious posts addressed to the event industry. Complaining about control, exclusivity and boring formats.

Before #eventprofs knew they were called like that on Twitter, I started a LinkedIn Group that now accounts for 85,000 members and will reach 100K by the end of the year.

I tried to change the industry by myself. To a certain extent, I brought in small revolutions. Surely I challenged a few people.

In this scenario, associations were the enemy to beat. Running a group that is 3 times the size of the largest meeting planners association, I liked to think (and I still do) I have my own association.

But as Elvis Presley liked to say:

“Don’t criticize what you don’t understand, son. You never walked in that man’s shoes.”

Then Change Happened

While attending IMEX, I began to nurture a different perspective.

I started to think it would be a good idea to get into associations to drive people to the wonders of social. Why?

I am thriving to get more opinions, more bloggers, more case studies, more startups in the event industry.

I don’t feel like recruiting more readers, clients or group members. The numbers above show that such mission has already been accomplished.

I guess I am a bit tired of seeing the same faces, the same perspectives, the same products. Including my face, perspective and product.

Let’s Join an Association

With such a premise I decided to join an association.

I will commit some of my time to get to know the association members and evangelise the good word of social media as well as learn from their experience and commitment to the industry. In what form I still don’t know, but my first problem is to join one.

I looked around and the names that pop up most of the times are MPI, ISES, ICCA, PCMA.

Bear in mind I want my new association to cater for the European market as I am in Europe.

Also consider that I am not a professional meeting planner. I consider myself a vendor to the industry. I provide a bit of knowledge and a product.

So, Which Association Should I Join?

Here you go, now I am waiting for your answers. (Hint: you can use the comment sections)