Marketing Associations (US and Canada)

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Benefits of Joining a Marketing Association

List of Marketing Associations in the US

List of Marketing Associations in Canada

The Many Benefits of Joining a Professional Marketing Association

In the dynamic world of marketing, staying ahead of the curve is a challenging task. As a marketing professional, you are expected to keep up with the latest trends, understand and use the newest technologies, and navigate through an ever-evolving landscape of consumer and/or business buyer behavior. 

Professional marketing associations are organizations dedicated to advancing the field of marketing. They provide a platform for marketers to connect, share experiences and challenges, learn, and grow professionally. Joining such an association can offer numerous benefits that can significantly enhance your career trajectory.

1. Networking Opportunities

One of the most significant benefits of joining a marketing association is the opportunity to network with your fellow marketers. These associations bring together a diverse group of professionals from various sectors of the industry. By attending meetings, workshops, and conferences, you can connect with like-minded individuals, share ideas, and form valuable relationships. These connections can open doors to new opportunities, collaborations, and even job prospects.

2. Access to Educational Resources

Marketing associations often provide a wealth of educational resources. These can range from webinars and workshops to publications and research reports. By accessing these resources, you can stay updated on the latest trends, strategies, and technologies in the marketing world. This continuous learning can help you stay competitive and enhance your skills.

3. Professional Development

Associations often offer professional development programs, such as certification courses, seminars, and training sessions. These programs can help you gain new skills, improve existing ones, and even earn certifications that can boost your resume. They also often offer leadership opportunities, such as serving on committees or boards, which can further enhance your professional growth.

4. Advocacy

Marketing associations often play a crucial role in advocating for the interests of marketers. They may lobby for policies that benefit the marketing industry, represent the profession in legislative matters, and work to ensure ethical practices within the field. By being a member, you can contribute to these efforts and help shape the future of the industry.

5. Access to Industry Insights

Associations often conduct research and gather data on industry trends. As a member, you would have access to this valuable information, which can guide your marketing strategies and decisions. Understanding the current market trends and future predictions can give you a competitive edge.

6. Recognition and Credibility of Your Personal Brand

Being a member of a professional marketing association can enhance your credibility as a marketer. Many associations offer awards and recognition programs that highlight the achievements of their members. Earning such recognition can boost your professional reputation and visibility in the industry.

Joining and actively participating in a professional marketing association can be a game-changer for your career, wherever you’re at in your career path. Choosing the right marketing association can be a great career resource, provide a platform for networking, learning, professional growth, help in establishing your personal brand and can provide many opportunities that can help you stay ahead in the competitive field of marketing. We strongly recommend looking into relevant marketing associations near you and determining what kind of local presence and resources an association has before joining. We’ve provided this list to help you get started.   

A Special Note for Students

If you’re a student, the American Marketing Association has a long history of helping students prepare for the marketing profession. More recently, the ANA, especially since it has acquired the DMA and BMA, is well worth considering. We’d strongly recommend exploring joining the AMA or ANA for all college students in the United States; they are two of the most respected marketing associations in the US.

Marketing Associations – US

4 A’s (American Association of Advertising Agencies)

  • Overview: The 4A’s was established in 1917 to promote, advance, and defend the interests of member agencies, employees, and the advertising and marketing industries overall. The national trade association of advertising agencies (not for individual members). Membership requires approval by the 4A’s board of directors. Their mission is  ‘…help empower members to deliver insightful creativity that drives commerce and influences culture, all while moving the industry forward’.
  • Mission: To empower and equip members to confidently navigate the ever-changing ecosystem of the agency world
  • Who is it For: Advertising agencies
  • Major Programs: Advocacy, talent fostering, and business growth acceleration. They host a variety of events and programs such as the Talent Transformation, Multi-Currency National TV Demo-Base Ratings, and the Health Data Privacy Landscape. They also offer agency search training programs and benefits group.
  • Location of Association Headquarters: New York, NY
  • Membership / Chapters: More than 600 member agencies across 1,200 offices. Chapters include Chicago, Heartland, Michigan, Northeast Ohio, St Louis, Kansas City, Twin Cities, New England, New York State, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Carolinas, Dallas, Florida, River States, South Texas, Northern California and Southern California.

Academy of Marketing Science (AMS)

  • Overview: The Academy of Marketing Science (AMS) was founded in 1971 by a group of marketing scholars. It fosters collaboration among academics and brings their research and insights out into the business world.
  • Mission: To foster collaboration among academics and bring their research and insights out into the business world.
  • Who is it For: Marketing academics.
  • Major Programs: They host the annual conference which provides a platform for members to share their insights on the future of marketing. They also publish the AMS Review, a journal aimed at stimulating the development of marketing and consumer behavior theory.
  • Location of Headquarters: Ruston, LA
  • Membership / Chapters: More than 500 institutional subscribers in over 30 countries.

African-American Marketing Association (AAMA)

  • Overview: The African-American Marketing Association (AAMA) is a nonprofit organization that was founded in 2019 to support and empower Black marketers.
  • Number of Chapters: Not specified.
  • Mission: To galvanize and equip Black marketers with the resources and opportunities they need to grow their brands.
  • Who is it For: Black marketers.
  • Major Programs: They have a mission to galvanize and equip Black marketers with the resources and opportunities they need to grow their brands. They also host a variety of events and have a nationwide career board for marketing roles.
  • Location of  Association Headquarters: Houston, TX
  • Membership / Chapters: Not provided.

American Advertising Federation (AAF)

  • Overview: The American Advertising Federation (AAF) was founded in 1905 and is the U.S. advertising industry’s oldest and largest trade association.
  • Mission: To foster, strengthen and improve the advertising agency business; to advance the cause of advertising as a whole.
  • Who is it For: Advertisers, agencies, and media companies.
  • Major Programs: They host numerous programs and initiatives, including the Advertising Hall of Fame, the American Advertising Awards, the National Student Advertising Competition, the Mosaic Center on Multiculturalism, and summer Ad Camps for high school students.
  • Location of Headquarters: Washington, D.C.
  • Membership / Chapters: More than 40,000 advertising professional members representing 15 districts across three regions. Nearly 100 corporate members, a national network of nearly 200 local federations, and more than 200 AAF college chapters with over 6,500 student members.

American Marketing Association (AMA)

  • Overview: The American Marketing Association (AMA) is a professional association for marketing professionals. It was formed in 1937 from the merger of two predecessor organizations, the National Association of Marketing Teachers and the American Marketing Society.
  • Mission: “The American Marketing Association strives to be the most relevant force and voice shaping marketing around the world, an essential community for marketers. “
  • Who is it For: Marketing professionals, teaching professionals, and college students.
  • Major Programs: They host a variety of events that provide quality networking and programming. They also offer training programs to help marketers keep up with the shifting landscape of marketing.
  • Location of Association Headquarters: New York, NY
  • Membership / Chapters: More than 500 North American professional chapters. 370 collegiate chapters, and more than 30,000 members. 
  • (30,000) with 76 professional chapters and 250 collegiate chapters across North America. AMA professional chapters include the following locations: Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, British Columbia, Colorado, Columbus, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Detroit, Connecticut, Hampton Roads, Hawaii, Houston, Indy, Iowa, Knoxville, Las Vegas, Lincoln, Los Angeles, Madison, Memphis, Michiana, Milwaukee, Minnesota, Nashville, New Jersey, New Mexico, New Orleans, New York, New York Capital Region, Northeast Ohio, Northeast Wisconsin, Oklahoma City, Omaha, Orlando, PDX, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Puget Sound, Reno-Tahoe, Richmond, Rochester, Sacramento Valley, Saint Louis, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, South Florida, Southwest Michigan, Tampa Bay, Toronto, Tulsa, Washington DC, West Michigan, Wichita, Alaska, Birmingham, Boston, Charleston, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Columbia, Triangle, Kansas City, and Central PA.

Asian American Advertising Federation (3AF)

  • Overview: The Asian American Advertising Federation’s (3AF) founding principles were to broaden members’ knowledge, share expertise, provide networking opportunities, and to showcase the power, impact, and influence of the Asian American consumer.
  • Mission: The 3AF’s mission is to advance the Asian American marketing and advertising industry for Asian American consumers through education, advocacy, promotion, and increased collaboration of all industry stakeholders including but not limited to marketers, agencies, research partners, and media.
  • Who is it For: The 3AF is for all industry stakeholders including but not limited to marketers, agencies, research partners, and media.
  • Major Programs: The 3AF hosts the Asian Marketing Summit and the inaugural 3AF Fall Webinar series. They also organized the Asian Mosaic networking event during Advertising Week in New York.
  • Year Founded: The 3AF was founded in 1999 by executives from 15 advertising agencies.
  • Location of Association Headquarters: Los Angeles, CA
  • Membership / Chapters: Not provided.

Association of National Advertisers (ANA)

  • Overview: The Association of National Advertisers (ANA) represents the marketing community in the United States. It was founded on June 24, 1910, in Detroit, Michigan, by 45 companies. The ANA acquired and combined with the DMA (Data Marketing and Analytics, formerly the Direct Marketing Association)  in 2018.  
  • Mission: The ANA’s mission is to lead the industry. It pursues “collaborative mastery” that advances the interests of marketers and promotes and protects the well-being of the marketing community.
  • Who is it For: The ANA is for nearly 600 companies with 10,000 brands that collectively spend over $250 billion in marketing and advertising each year.
  • Major Programs: The ANA provides the advertising community with a voice before Congress, state legislatures, Federal regulatory agencies, and the courts. They host the ANA Media Conference, presented by A+E Networks, and stay at the forefront of the industry’s most critical trends. They celebrate and recognize the most powerful and creative marketing solutions, media strategies, and brand activations executed by teams representing the industry’s true growth leaders.
  • Year Founded: 1910
  • Membership / Chapters: As of March 2024, the Association of National Advertisers (ANA) membership includes more than 1,600 companies and organizations in the US and internationally with 20,000 brands that spend or support more than $400 billion in marketing and advertising annually. The ANA has local chapters in Chicago, Kansas City, New York City, and Philadelphia. 

ANA Business Marketing (Formerly the Business Marketing Association)

  • Overview: The ANA Business Marketing Association, previously known as the Business Marketing Association (BMA). It focuses on business-to-business (B2B) marketing and communications.
  • Mission: “The ANA Business Marketing Association focuses relentlessly on driving growth and shaping the future of marketing, making a difference for all marketers, their brands, and the industry.”
  • Who is it For: Business-to-business (B2B) marketing and communications professionals. The association serves more than 1,000 leading companies of every shape and size, representing 15,000 brands that collectively spend $400 billion in marketing and media annually.
  • Major Programs: The association provides a wide range of products from proprietary content and local events to the B2 Awards (the premier B2B industry awards program) and the Masters of B2B Marketing Conference. 
  • Year Founded: 1910, as the National Industrial Advertising Association. 
  • Location of Association Headquarters: San Jose, California
  • Membership / Chapters: More than 1,600 domestic and international companies as members with local chapters in Chicago, Kansas City, New York City, and Philadelphia.

Black Marketers Association of America (BMAA) 

  • Overview: The Black Marketers Association of America (BMAA) is a national organization developed to connect Black Marketers with one another. It was founded in early 2017. What started as a small group for Atlanta marketers with one annual organic networking event has evolved into a national network of over 3,000 Black marketers in various levels of their careers learning and working to change the industry. The BMMA provides resources such as career opportunities, industry tips, and insight. 
  • Mission: The BMAA’s mission is to improve the marketing industry by highlighting and supporting Black Marketers’ careers as employees, freelancers, and business owners.
  • Who is it For: The BMAA is for Black marketers who have an extensive knowledge base and years of experience while also managing to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and developments in the industry.
  • Major Programs: The BMAA provides valuable resources including career opportunities, industry tips, and insight. They also host a variety of events and thought leadership for black marketing professionals.
  • Year Founded: 2017
  • Location of Association Headquarters: Atlanta, GA
  • Membership / Chapters: Over 3,000 members. 

Branded Content Marketing Association (BCMA)

  • Overview: The Branded Content Marketing Association (BCMA) is the leading global member association promoting the value of branded content and influencer marketing.
  • Mission: The BCMA’s mission is to promote the value of branded content and influencer marketing.
  • Who is it For: The BCMA is for creators to become better marketers, and for brands to become better creators.
  • Major Programs: The BCMA hosts a variety of programs such as podcasts, blogs, and exclusive content that helps brands compete for consumer attention. They also provide articles highlighting key areas of branded content news.
  • Location of Association Headquarters: Not provided.
  • Year Founded: 2003 
  • Membership / Chapters: Not provided.

Chicago Interactive Marketing Association (CIMA)

  • Overview: CIMA is a dedicated group of digital and interactive marketing professionals working to provide the Chicago interactive marketing community with opportunities to network, learn, and share expertise.
  • Mission: CIMA’s mission is to provide a forum for digital and interactive marketing professionals to exchange ideas, network, and participate in professional development activities.
  • Major Programs: CIMA provides networking events, professional and educational development programming, the CIMA Star Awards, and a mentoring program. 
  • Year Founded: 1997.
  • Location of Association Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois
  • Membership / Chapters: More than 650 members. 

Construction Marketing Association (CMA)

  • Overview: The CMA is a professional association dedicated to marketing and business development within the construction industry.
  • Mission: To advance the marketing and business development skills of construction industry professionals.
  • Who is it For: Marketing, sales, and business development professionals working in the construction industry, including architects, engineers, contractors, and manufacturers.
  • Major Programs: CMA Annual Conference, Construction Marketing Awards, & Professional Development Webinars.
  • Year Founded: 1986
  • Location of Association Headquarters: Chicago, IL, USA
  • Membership / Chapters: Offers individual and corporate memberships. Has limited chapter activity in the United States.

Experience Marketing Association (EMA)

  • Overview: The EMA is a professional association dedicated to the strategy, practice, and measurement of customer experiences.
  • Mission: To accelerate the global adoption of experience management (XM) practices to help businesses thrive in the experience economy.
  • Who is it For: Marketing, customer experience (CX) professionals, and anyone interested in designing and delivering exceptional customer experiences.
  • Major Programs: CX Certification Programs, EMA Experience Management Summit, & Customer Experience Awards.
  • Year Founded: 2010
  • Location of Association Headquarters: Roseville, CA
  • Membership / Chapters: Offers individual and corporate memberships. Has chapters in various countries around the world.

Global CMO Growth Council

  • Overview: The Global CMO Growth Council is a platform that brings together CMOs (Chief Marketing Officers) from around the world to accelerate business growth. It is a division of the Association of National Advertisers (ANA). It is for top level marketing professionals. Its leadership team includes C-level marketing professionals from brands such as P&G, GM, InBev, Shell, American Express, Lego, Mastercard, etc.   
  • Mission: The council’s mission is to accelerate business growth by focusing on five Accelerator Priorities identified by the Global CMO Growth Council.
  • Year Founded: 2018
  • Location of Association Headquarters: ? 
  • Membership / Chapters: The council has over 1,200 Chief Marketing Officers (CMOs) from around the world.

Hispanic Marketing Council

  • Overview: The Hispanic Marketing Council champions the Hispanic consumer segment and advocates for responsible & intentional investment in Hispanic marketing. The vision of the Hispanic Marketing Council is: “To champion the Hispanic consumer segment and the importance it signifies to corporations seeking to grow their revenue and market share. To advocate for responsible & intentional investment in Hispanic marketing, commensurate with the enormous opportunity the multicultural majority presents.”
  • Mission: The council’s mission is to champion the Hispanic consumer segment and advocate for responsible & intentional investment in Hispanic marketing.
  • Year Founded: 1996.
  • Location of Association Headquarters: San Clemente, California
  • Membership / Chapters: The Hispanic Marketing Council has more than 25,000 marketing, creative, research, and media executives.

Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI)

  • Overview: HSMAI is a global organization for professionals in the hospitality industry, focusing on sales, marketing, revenue management, and distribution.
  • Mission: To elevate the business performance of our members and their organizations through networking, education, and resources.
  • Who is it For: Hospitality industry professionals including hotel sales and marketing executives, revenue managers, and distribution specialists.
  • Major Programs: HSMAI Marketing Strategy Conference, HSMAI Revenue Management Conference, & Adrian Awards.
  • Year Founded: 1969
  • Location of Association Headquarters: McLean, VA, USA
  • Membership / Chapters: Offers individual and corporate memberships. Has chapters in various regions around the world.

Incentive Marketing Association (IMA)

  • Overview: The IMA is a global association for professionals involved in the incentive industry.
  • Mission: To inspire, educate, and connect incentive professionals to create and deliver impactful incentive programs.
  • Who is it For: Anyone involved in incentive program design, execution, or management. This includes incentive house representatives, consultants, suppliers, and corporate incentive program managers.
  • Major Programs: Certified Incentive Professional (CIP) designation program, IMA Annual Conference & Expo, & Excellence Awards.
  • Year Founded: 1957
  • Location of Association Headquarters: Schaumburg, IL
  • Membership / Chapters: Offers individual and corporate memberships. Has international chapters in various countries.

International Advertising Association (IAA)

  • Overview: The International Advertising Association (IAA) is a global association that represents marketers, ad agencies, and mass media that carries advertisements.
  • Mission: IAA’s mission is to advance trusted communication and the ethical practice of public relations.
  • Year Founded: 1938.
  • Location of Association Headquarters: New York City, NY
  • Membership / Chapters:  The IAA has more than 4,000 individual and corporate members spanning marketing, advertising, media, IT communications, and academic sectors.

Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB)

  • Overview: The Internet Advertising Bureau (IAB) is an American advertising business organization that develops industry standards, conducts research, and provides legal support for the online advertising industry.
  • Mission: IAB’s mission is to empower the media and marketing industries to thrive in the digital economy.
  • Year Founded: 1996.
  • Location of Association Headquarters: New York City, NY
  • Membership / Chapters: The IAB has more than 650 leading media companies, brands, and technology firms.  

International Association of Business Communicators (IABC)

  • Overview: The IABC is a global professional association for business communicators.
  • Mission: To empower business communicators to strategically use communication to improve organizational performance.
  • Who is it For: Business communication professionals working in various sectors, including internal communications, public relations, marketing communications, and employee engagement.
  • Major Programs: Certified Business Communicator (CBC) designation program, IABC Annual Conference, & Excellence in Communication Awards.
  • Year Founded: 1970
  • Location of Association Headquarters: San Antonio, TX, USA
  • Membership / Chapters: Offers individual and corporate memberships. Has chapters in over 100 countries around the world.

International Advertising Association (IAA) 

  • Overview: The Internet Advertising Association (IAA) is a global association that represents marketers, ad agencies, and mass media that carries advertisements. 
  • Mission: The IAA’s mission is to serve as the gateway for brands and marketers seeking customers and growth across borders and to guide its members through the transformations taking place in the industry.
  • Who is it For: The IAA is for marketers, ad agencies, and mass media that carries advertisements.
  • Major Programs: The IAA organizes the biennial World Advertising Congress, a worldwide meeting of advertising professionals. The association also holds regional conferences wherein key speakers from the regional markets are invited to participate. At these events, it also honors individuals in the advertisement industry and in the mass media who have made significant positive impact on the mission and priorities of the International Advertising Association.
  • Year Founded: 1938
  • Location of Association Headquarters: New York City, NY
  • Membership / Chapters: The IAA has 4,000 individual and corporate members with chapters in 77 countries.

Internet Marketing Association (IMA) 

  • Overview: The Internet Marketing Association (IMA) is a professional organization that has accrued one of the largest databases of professional members in various fields including sales, marketing, business ownership, programming, and creative development.
  • Mission: IMA’s mission is to provide a knowledge-sharing platform for business professionals where proven Internet marketing strategies are demonstrated and shared.
  • Who Is It For: Professionals in various fields including sales, marketing, business ownership, programming, and creative development.
  • Year Founded: 2001
  • Location of Association Headquarters: San Clemente, CA 
  • Membership / Chapters: The IMA claims to have more than 1 million members.

International Public Relations Association (IPRA)

  • Overview: The International Public Relations Association (IPRA) is a global organization established to raise the standards of practice of the PR profession and improve the quality of professionals around the world.
  • Mission: IPRA’s mission is to raise the standards of practice of the PR profession and improve the quality of professionals around the world.
  • Who Is It For: Public relations (PR) professionals. 
  • Year Founded: 1955 
  • Location of Association Headquarters: London, England 
  • Membership / Chapters: More than 800 individuals from more than 60 countries. 

International Social Marketing Association (ISMA)

  • Overview: ISMA is a professional association focused on social marketing, using marketing principles to address social issues and promote positive behavior change.
  • Mission: To advance the field of social marketing worldwide through education, research, networking, and advocacy.
  • Who is it For: Social marketing practitioners, researchers, educators, and policymakers who are interested in using marketing strategies for social good.
  • Major Programs: ISMA Social Marketing Conference, Journal of Social Marketing, & ISMA Fellowship Program.
  • Year Founded: 1978
  • Location of Association Headquarters: San Diego, CA
  • Membership / Chapters: Offers individual and organizational memberships. Has chapters in various countries around the world.
  • Please note that information on chapter availability and specific locations may require further research on the respective association websites.

Legal Marketing Association (LMA) 

  • Overview: The Legal Marketing Association (LMA) is a non-profit professional organization that provides resources to attorneys and in-house law firm marketing administrators who want to develop their practices through learning the latest and most effective marketing and business development techniques1. It was founded in 19851.
  • Mission: LMA’s mission is to serve as the premier knowledge transfer agent and affinity group for chief marketers worldwide.
  • Who is it For: Members of the LMA include practicing attorneys; managing partners; partners in charge of marketing; law firm administrators; business development directors; marketing or business development managers and coordinators; marketing heads/chief marketing officers; communications directors; and service providers to law firms.
  • Major Programs: LMA produces a number of white papers and webinars on how to best leverage social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. They also host an annual conference which gives more than 1,400 legal marketing and business development professionals the opportunity to connect.
  • Location of Association Headquarters: Chicago, IL
  • Membership / Chapters: LMA has more than 3,700 members across the United States, Canada, and 15 other countries.

Mobile Marketing Association (MMA)

  • Overview: The Mobile Marketing Association (MMA) is a non-profit trade association representing all players in the mobile marketing value chain. Its primary focus is to establish mobile as an indispensable part of the marketing mix. 
  • Mission: To promote, educate, measure, guide, and protect the mobile marketing industry worldwide.
  • Who is it For: All players in the mobile marketing value chain.
  • Major Programs: Not specified.
  • Year Founded: 2000.
  • Location of Association Headquarters: New York City, NY
  • Membership / Chapters: More than 800 member companies and 14 regional offices with members from nearly fifty countries around the world. The MMA’s global headquarters are located in New York with regional operations in Asia Pacific (APAC), Europe/Middle East/Africa (EMEA), and Latin America (LATAM).

National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA)

  • Overview: The NAMA is a professional association for agribusiness marketing and communications professionals.
  • Mission: To enhance the marketing and communication practices of the agricultural and food industry.
  • Who is it For: Marketing, communications, and public relations professionals working in the agriculture and food industry. This includes representatives from agribusiness companies, farm organizations, and government agencies.
  • Major Programs: NAMA Annual Conference, Ag Marketing Awards, & Professional Development Programs.
  • Year Founded: 1980
  • Location of Association Headquarters: Overland Park, KS
  • Membership / Chapters: Offers individual and corporate memberships. Chapters in various regions across the United States.

Network Advertising Initiative (NAI)

  • Overview: The Network Advertising Initiative (NAI) is an industry trade group founded in 2000 that develops self-regulatory standards for online advertising.
  • Mission: To develop self-regulatory standards for online advertising.
  • Who is it For: Third-party digital advertising companies.
  • Major Programs: Not specified.
  • Year Founded: 2000.
  • Location of Association Headquarters: Washington D.C
  • .Membership / Chapters: 

Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)

  • Overview: The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) is a nonprofit trade association for public relations professionals. It was founded in 1947 by combining the American Council on Public Relations and the National Association of Public Relations Councils.
  • Mission: PRSA helps an organization and its publics adapt mutually to each other.
  • Who is it For: Public relations professionals.
  • Major Programs: ?
  • Year Founded: 1947.
  • Location of  Association Headquarters: New York, New York
  • Membership / Chapters: More than 400 professional and student chapters in the U.S., Argentina, Colombia, Peru and Puerto Rico.

Social Media Club (SMC)

  • Overview: The SMC is a global network of social media professionals and enthusiasts.
  • Mission: To connect, educate, and empower social media professionals to leverage the power of social media for personal and professional success.
  • Who is it For: Anyone interested in social media, including social media managers, marketers, content creators, and entrepreneurs.
  • Major Programs: Local Chapter Meetings, Social Media Workshops & Events, & Online Community Forum.
  • Year Founded: 2008
  • Location of Association Headquarters: Decentralized network with chapters worldwide. (Note: There isn’t a single headquarters location as SMC operates as a network of local chapters)
  • Membership / Chapters: Offers individual and corporate memberships (may vary by chapter). Has chapters in various cities around the world.

Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS)

  • Overview: The Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS) is a diverse community of marketing and business development professionals working together to move the architectural/engineering/consulting (A/E/C) industries forward. It was founded in 1973 by a small group of ambitious professional services firm leaders.
  • Mission: SMPS’s mission is to advocate for, educate, and connect leaders in the building industry.
  • Who is it For: SMPS is the only organization dedicated to creating business opportunities in the A/E/C industry.
  • Major Programs: Through networking, educational opportunities, and industry-leading research, SMPS members gain a competitive advantage in positioning their firms successfully in the marketplace.
  • Year Founded: 1973
  • Location of Association Headquarters: Alexandria, VA
  • Number of Chapters: Nearly 7,000 marketing and business development professionals from architectural, engineering, planning, interior design, construction, and specialty consulting firms located throughout the United States and Canada.

Sport Marketing Association (SMA)

  • Overview: The SMA is a professional association dedicated to sports marketing and sponsorship.
  • Mission: To connect, educate, and empower sports marketing professionals to create and execute successful sports marketing strategies.
  • Who is it For: Sports marketing and sponsorship professionals working in various sectors, including sports teams, leagues, brands, agencies, and media companies.
  • Major Programs: SMA Annual Conference & Exhibition, Professional Development Programs, & Industry Awards.
  • Year Founded: 2002
  • Location of Association Headquarters: Chicago, IL
  • Membership / Chapters: Offers individual and corporate memberships. Has chapters in various regions across the United States.

The CMO Council

  • Overview: The CMO (Chief Marketing Officer) Council serves as the premiere peer-powered network for senior marketing decision-makers. It claims to be the only global network of executives specifically dedicated to high-level knowledge exchange, thought leadership, and personal relationship building among senior corporate marketing leaders and brand decision-makers across a wide range of global industries. 
  • Membership/Number of Chapters: The CMO Council is made up of 16,000+ members across 120 countries and 10,000 companies.
  • Mission: The CMO Council provides an opportunity for marketers to gain insights from marketing leaders and build a network of peers. It operates as the premier knowledge transfer agent and affinity group for chief marketers worldwide.
  • Who is it For: The CMO Council is for senior executives who oversee marketing, analytics, digital, data, revenue, or customer experience.
  • Major Programs: The CMO Council strives to create programs and services designed to add to the intellectual capital of leading marketers that are members of the CMO Council. Some of these initiatives include research, advocacy for strategic agendas, intimate peer networking programs, discussion groups and invention sessions, newsletters and monthly briefings, and career opportunity referral and talent sourcing
  • Year Founded: 2001
  • Location of Association Headquarters: San Jose, CA
  • Membership / Chapters: More than 16,000 members in 110+ countries. 

The Insights Association (IA)

  • Overview: The Insights Association (IA) protects and creates demand for the evolving Insights and Analytics industry by promoting the indisputable role of insights in driving business impact.
  • Mission: To protect and create demand for the evolving consumer insights and data analytics industry by promoting the indisputable role of insights in driving business impact.
  • Who is it For: Innovators in software, data analytics, data collection, market, and social research.
  • Major Programs: Not specified.
  • Year Founded: Formed by the merger of the Council of American Survey Research Organizations (CASRO) and the Marketing Research Association (MRA) in January 2017.
  • Location of  Association Headquarters: Washington DC
  • Membership / Chapters: Six U.S. regional chapters covering all 50 states and one Canadian Chapter.

The Performance Marketing Association

  • Overview: The Performance Marketing Association (PMA) strives to raise the profile of performance marketing by demonstrating the value of this multi-billion marketing channel, which comprises more than 200,000 businesses and individuals.
  • Mission: The PMA’s mission is to champion and protect accountable performance marketing.
  • Who is it For: Performance marketing professionals, including advertisers, publishers, agencies, and technology providers.
  • Major Programs: PMA Annual Conference & Expo, PMA Pay for Performance School, & Industry Leader Awards.
  • Year Founded: 2008
  • Location of Association Headquarters: Middletown, DE
  • Membership / Chapters: Any company or organization and select individuals who are committed to improving the Performance Marketing industry are eligible to join the Performance Marketing Association. Has a limited chapter network in the United States.

Web Marketing Association (WMA)

  • Overview: The Web Marketing Association (WMA) was founded in 1997 to help set a high standard for Internet marketing and development of the best websites on the World Wide Web.
  • Mission: To help set a high standard for Internet marketing and development of the best websites on the World Wide Web.
  • Who is it For: Internet marketing, online advertising, PR, and other related professionals.
  • Major Programs: The main activity of the Web Marketing Association is the annual Web Awards for websites and mobile apps. 
  • Year Founded: 1997
  • Location of  Association Headquarters: South Wellfleet, Massachusetts
  • Membership / Chapters: Not provided.

Marketing Associations – Canada

Association of Canadian Advertisers (ACA)

  • Overview: The ACA is an advocate and thought leader for Canadian marketers.
  • Mission: The ACA’s mission is to fight for members’ interests to maximize ROI and promote positive social change in the industry.
  • Who is it For: Membership in ACA is exclusive to marketers.
  • Major Programs: Not specified.
  • Year Founded: 1914.
  • Location of Association Headquarters: Not specified.
  • Membership / Chapters: Not specified.

Association of Creative Communications Agencies (A2C)

  • Overview: A2C is the voice of nearly 100 Quebec agencies dedicated to creative communication.
  • Mission: A2C’s mission is to ensure the vitality and excellence of the creative communication industry.
  • Who is it For: A2C is for Quebec agencies dedicated to creative communication.
  • Major Programs: Quebec
  • Year Founded: A2C has its origins dating back to the early 2000s and was officially launched in 2011.
  • Location of Association Headquarters: Not specified.
  • Membership / Chapters: Not specified.

Canadian Internet Marketing Association (CIMA)

  • Overview: CIMA was formed by a group of Internet marketing professionals in Montreal. The organization covers a number of web marketing avenues, including SEO, Content Marketing, Social Media Marketing, Influencer Marketing, Online Business Marketing (B2B & B2C), Affiliate Marketing, Sponsored Search Advertising, Public Relations, Mobile Marketing, Email Marketing, Domain Names & Hosting, Advertising Networks, Web Design & Programming, Analytics, Usability and Accessibility.
  • Mission: CIMA aims to help industry members in their marketing pursuits and educate the public. It also aims to explore emerging trends and provide training and other forms of educational activity.
  • Who it’s for: CIMA is for professionals working within the range of online marketing and digital media, business owners and managers within the traditional business world, students, and private individuals with an interest in the areas covered by the association.
  • Major Programs: CIMA organizes social networking events for members, facilitates the exchange of innovative ideas, encourages understanding of current best practices, provides a means of continuing education via workshops, seminars, and other events, and highlights members’ expertise with speaking and leadership opportunities.
  • Year Founded: CIMA was officially launched in 2011.
  • Location of Headquarters: The headquarters of CIMA is located in Montreal, Canada.
  • Membership/Chapters: CIMA welcomes members from across Canada as well as internationally. Anyone with an interest in online marketing in Canada is encouraged to join CIMA. There are two types of membership: Core Membership (people who have formally joined CIMA) and Extended Network Membership (individuals who are involved with CIMA by way of its owned media). Anyone can start a local chapter.

Canadian Marketing Association (CMA)

  • Overview: The CMA is the voice of the marketing profession in Canada. Created in 1967, it serves more than 400 corporate, not-for-profit, public and post-secondary members, including Canada’s most prestigious brands.
  • Mission: The CMA’s mission is to provide consumers with enhanced transparency and control, establish and enforce responsible privacy practices across the industry for relevant digital advertising.
  • Who it’s for: CMA serves Canadian advertisers, agencies, programmatic tech-stacks, and OOH companies.
  • Major Programs: CMA conducts various initiatives throughout the year crafted to engage and inspire anyone that considers themselves a creative thinker and problem solver.
  • Year Founded: 1967.
  • Location of Headquarters: Information not available.
  • Membership/Chapters: Information not available.

Canadian Media Directors’ Council (CMDC)

  • Overview: The Canadian Media Directors’ Council (CMDC) is an independent association of media professionals representing advertising media agencies. The CMDC accounts for 96% of total annual advertising investment in Canada1. The association aims to ensure a fair and progressive marketplace on behalf of its clients, agencies, and partners.
  • Mission: The CMDC’s mission is to be a leading partner and marcom business adviser to industry stakeholders by fully leveraging its resources and sphere of influence. The organization operates as a collective, influential voice, promoting the advertising sector as a driver of growth.
  • Who it’s for: The CMDC is for media professionals, particularly those representing advertising media agencies. It serves its clients, agencies, and media partners.
  • Major Programs: Some of the major programs of the CMDC include the CMDC Media Summit, the Media Leaders Dinner, and the Future Impact Awards presented by the CMDC YA’s.
  • Year Founded: Information not available.
  • Location of Headquarters: The headquarters of the CMDC are located at 175 Bloor St E, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3R9, Canada.
  • Membership/Chapters: The CMDC is a collective of media agency CEOs and Managing Directors. However, I couldn’t find specific information about the membership structure or chapters of the CMDC.

Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS)

  • Overview: The Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS) is an organization of professionals who practice public relations in Canada and abroad. Members of CPRS work to maintain the highest standards and share a uniquely Canadian experience in public relations.
  • Mission: CPRS aims to build a national public relations and communications management community through professional development and accreditation, collaboration with thought leaders, a commitment to ethics and a code of professional standards, advocacy for the profession, and support to members at every stage of their careers.
  • Who it’s for: CPRS is for professionals who practice public relations in Canada and abroad. This includes new practitioners (1-5 years), mid-level practitioners (5-20 years), and senior practitioners (20+ years).
  • Major Programs: CPRS offers various programs such as professional development and accreditation, collaboration with thought leaders, a commitment to ethics and a code of professional standards, advocacy for the profession, and support to members at every stage of their careers.
  • Year Founded: CPRS was founded in 1948.
  • Location of Headquarters: The headquarters of CPRS is located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
  • Membership/Chapters: CPRS membership is open to individuals who devote most of their work-for-pay time to the practice of public relations, have a degree in public relations, or are a career teacher or administer engaged in public relations/communications education at an accredited post-secondary institution7. CPRS Toronto is one of the chapters of CPRS.

Canadian Out of Home Marketing and Measurement Bureau (COMMB)

  • Overview: COMMB is a national not-for-profit organization for the Canadian out-of-home (OOH) industry.
  • Mission: It is responsible for the collective marketing and measurement efforts for the OOH industry10.
  • Who it’s for: Its membership base includes advertisers, agencies, programmatic tech-stacks, and OOH companies.
  • Major Programs: Information not available.
  • Year Founded: Information not available.
  • Location of Headquarters: Information not available.
  • Membership/Chapters: Information not available.

Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA)

  • Overview: CPMA is a national not-for-profit organization that represents companies active in the marketing of fresh fruits and vegetables in Canada.
  • Mission: CPMA’s vision is to drive industry prosperity and increase consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables.
  • Who it’s for: CPMA members include major growers, shippers, packers, marketers, importer/exporters, transporters, brokers, distributor/wholesalers, retailers, fresh cut operators, foodservice distributors/operators, and processors.
  • Major Programs: CPMA conducts the “Visible & Vocal” study, the only industry study that focuses on the profile, perspectives, and experiences of Canadian BIPOC advertising and marketing professionals4.
  • Year Founded: The corporate strategy of CPMA has been driving produce sales through sound governance, planning, and strategic leadership since 1925.
  • Location of Headquarters: Ottawa, Ontario.
  • Membership/Chapters: CPMA represents international and Canadian members who are responsible for 90% of the fresh fruit and vegetable sales in Canada.

Digital Advertising Alliance of Canada (DAAC)

  • Overview: The Digital Advertising Alliance of Canada (DAAC) is an independent not-for-profit organization. It is led by the leading national advertising and marketing associations in Canada. The members of DAAC are committed to delivering a robust and credible self-regulatory program for responsible online interest-based advertising (IBA).
  • Mission: DAAC’s mission is to provide consumers with enhanced transparency and control, establish and enforce responsible privacy practices across the industry for relevant digital advertising, and build trust of consumers and other stakeholders in the marketing and advertising industry.
  • Who it’s for: The DAAC’s programs are designed for everyone in the digital advertising ecosystem. This includes consumers, who are provided with enhanced transparency and control, and industry stakeholders, who are guided to establish and enforce responsible privacy practices.
  • Major Programs: DAAC is responsible for the operations of the AdChoices self-regulatory programs and the Political Ads Program in Canada. The Canadian AdChoices program, developed by the DAAC, was designed to educate consumers about IBA and to provide notices for consumers to know when IBA is occurring.
  • Year Founded: DAAC was founded in 2013.
  • Location of Headquarters: The headquarters of DAAC is located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
  • Membership/Chapters: DAAC is a consortium of the leading national advertising and marketing trade associations in Canada1. However, specific details about its membership or chapters are not readily available.

Institute of Canadian Agencies (ICA)

  • Overview: ICA is the community of Canadian agencies embracing purpose, responsibility, and sustainability in growing stronger as people and businesses.
  • Mission: ICA’s mission is to enable the growth and success of an inclusive fresh produce industry.
  • Who it’s for: ICA serves Canadian advertising, marketing, media, and public relations agencies.
  • Major Programs: ICA organizes various initiatives throughout the year crafted to engage and inspire anyone that considers themselves a creative thinker and problem solver.
  • Year Founded: ICA was founded in 1905.
  • Location of Headquarters: Information not available.
  • Membership/Chapters: Information not available.

Interactive Advertising Bureau of Canada (IAB Canada)

  • Overview: IAB Canada was established in 1997.
  • Mission: It is the national voice and thought leader of the Canadian interactive marketing and advertising industry.
  • Who it’s for: It is the only trade association exclusively dedicated to the development and promotion of the digital marketing and advertising sector in Canada.
  • Major Programs: Information not available.
  • Year Founded: 1997.
  • Location of Headquarters: Information not available.
  • Membership/Chapters: Information not available.

Location Based Marketing Association (LBMA)

  • Overview: LBMA aims to be the global voice of the place-based marketing industry.
  • Mission: It creates opportunities for collaboration and innovation for member companies.
  • Who it’s for: It promotes the effective use of location-based marketing solutions.
  • Major Programs: Information not available.
  • Year Founded: Information not available.
  • Location of Headquarters: Information not available.
  • Membership/Chapters: Information not available.

National Advertising Benevolent Society (nabs)

  • Overview: nabs is a unique charity specifically designed to support the health and well-being of all individuals in the media, marketing, and communications industry in Canada.
  • Mission: It is a registered charity, entirely funded through the generosity of donors and media partners.
  • Who it’s for: nabs has supported the industry for over 30 years, having been founded in 1983 in Canada.
  • Major Programs: Information not available.
  • Year Founded: 1983.
  • Location of Headquarters: Information not available.
  • Membership/Chapters: Information not available.

People of Colour in Advertising & Marketing (POCAM)

  • Overview: POCAM is pleased to present the “Visible & Vocal” study, the only industry study that focuses on the profile, perspectives, and experiences of Canadian BIPOC advertising and marketing professionals.
  • Mission: POCAM’s mission is to spotlight the incredible achievements of the next generation talent and celebrate their unwavering passion for their craft.
  • Who it’s for: Information not available.
  • Major Programs: POCAM conducts the “Visible & Vocal” study.
  • Year Founded: Information not available.
  • Location of Headquarters: Information not available.
  • Membership/Chapters: Information not available.

Sponsorship Marketing Council of Canada (SMCC)

  • Overview: SMCC is a national not-for-profit organization for the Canadian advertising, marketing, media, and public relations agencies.
  • Mission: SMCC’s mission is to enable the growth and success of an inclusive fresh produce industry.
  • Who it’s for: SMCC serves Canadian advertising, marketing, media, and public relations agencies.
  • Major Programs: SMCC organizes various initiatives throughout the year crafted to engage and inspire anyone that considers themselves a creative thinker and problem solver.
  • Year Founded: SMCC was founded in 2004.
  • Location of Headquarters: 1 Eglinton Ave E, Toronto, ON M4P 3A1.
  • Membership/Chapters: Information not available.

The Advertising & Design Club of Canada (ADCC)

  • Overview: The ADCC is a non-profit organization that serves the advertising industry and all its related services, including media, creative, production, advertising, and marketing.
  • Mission: The ADCC’s mission is to encourage the highest-quality work, regardless of monetary success or politics.
  • Who it’s for: The ADCC’s sole purpose is to encourage the highest-quality work, regardless of monetary success or politics.
  • Major Programs: The ADCC organizes various initiatives throughout the year crafted to engage and inspire anyone that considers themselves a creative thinker and problem solver.
  • Year Founded: 1948.
  • Location of Headquarters: Information not available.
  • Membership/Chapters: Information not available.

The Advertising Club of Toronto (AdClub)

  • Overview: The ACA is an advocate and thought leader for Canadian marketers.
  • Mission: The ACA’s mission is to fight for members’ interests to maximize ROI and promote positive social change in the industry.
  • Who is it For: Membership in ACA is exclusive to marketers.
  • Major Programs: Not specified.
  • Year Founded: 1914.
  • Location of Association Headquarters: Not specified.
  • Membership / Chapters: Not specified.
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