SmithBucklin Tapped to Manage the Convention Industry Council

The Convention Industry Council (CIC) has selected SmithBucklin, the association management and services company, to provide full-service association management. The council’s CEO, Karen Kotowski, CAE CMP, will continue to serve as CIC’s chief executive, and its headquarters will move to 2025 M Street, N.W., Washington, D.C., on April 1.

The Convention Industry Council was founded in 1949 by four organizations to facilitate the exchange of information within the meetings, conventions and exhibitions industry. CIC has grown to include 33 member organizations representing more than 103,500 individuals and 19,500 firms and properties. The mission of the Convention Industry Council is to strengthen the value and sustainability of its members, support the premier credentialing program for the meeting professional, and provide a vibrant, collaborative platform to address critical issues and ensure a thriving events industry.

CIC offers many tools and programs designed to support the industry and meet its challenges. It facilitates the exchange of information and ideas, and educates the public on the industry’s profound economic impact. CIC provides the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) program, which is recognized globally as the badge of excellence in the meeting, convention, exhibition and event industry. CIC also is spearheading the Accepted Practices Exchange (APEX) initiative to develop accepted practices for the industry.

“The Board of Directors is very pleased with the level of support that SmithBucklin will bring to CIC, and its ability to help our organization both now and as we work to realize our potential in the future,” said Susan Robertson, CAE, CIC Chair. “SmithBucklin’s culture and values are aligned with CIC’s. The staff is extremely well-qualified to support critical areas such as the domestic and global expansion of the CMP credential, APEX standard-setting, and major events such as the Hall of Leaders. Further, SmithBucklin’s solid services in the areas of marketing and branding, IT and website development are essential for taking CIC to the next level.”

“CIC’s plans will really impact how people are engaging and finding value in the meetings community,” Kotowski said. “I am so happy to be part of the SmithBucklin team so that we can make these plans a reality.”

“We are delighted to have been selected to serve the Convention Industry Council,” said Matt Sanderson, president & CEO, SmithBucklin. “We share CIC’s passion for bringing people together to achieve great things, and we look forward to serving this thriving industry, which is, of course, such an important focus of our company.”

“In addition to feeling very honored to serve CIC, we are also thrilled to welcome Karen Kotowski to our SmithBucklin team,” said Jim McNeil, executive vice president and chief executive, business + trade industry practice. “Together, we are committed to helping CIC achieve its mission. We embrace the board’s vision for events industry excellence and are thrilled to help CIC create value for its member organizations and achieve the growth that the board envisions.”

SmithBucklin will provide CIC with a complete management solution. In her continuing role as CEO, Kotowski will work with the CIC Board of Directors to establish strategic objectives, while being accountable for developing and executing plans that achieve results. She also will lead a team of professionals who will be responsible for all aspects of the association’s operations, membership recruitment and engagement, financial management, marketing and branding, communications and publications, technology and conference management. The SmithBucklin team also will support CIC’s initiatives, including the CMP program, APEX, the Green Meetings Industry Council, and the Hall of Leaders program, which recognizes pioneers of the industry.

Kotowski has more than 24 years of association experience. She has served CIC for eight years. Previously, she served as staff vice president at the National Association of Home Builders. Kotowski has a bachelor’s degree from Penn State University, and she holds two certifications: the Certified Association Executive (CAE) and the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) since 1995.

SmithBucklin’s Business + Trade Industry Practice helps a wide range of trade and professional associations achieve their missions, create value for their stakeholders and advance their industry professions. The practice’s unmatched team of association professionals applies leading practices across a wide spectrum of association management services.

One of the most respected and engaged participants in the conference, convention and trade show industry, SmithBucklin’s Event Services team delivers powerful results through conference design, business model development, curriculum design, participant marketing, event technology delivery, and registration and event logistics management, while enhancing the complete attendee experience. And, due to its significant buying power, the team is able to provide cost savings and favorable contract terms and conditions. Additionally, SmithBucklin professionals manage trade show and sponsorship sales and fulfillment, helping to create and implement strategic sales plans, identify new year-round revenue opportunities, and develop and sustain long-term partner relationships.

www.smithbucklin.com