Sport, Recreation, & Tourism Management

ESPA is dedicated to elevating the event and convention service profession and to preparing members, through education and networking, for their pivotal role in innovative and successful event execution. ESPA Active members hold many positions in Convention & Visitor Bureaus, Convention Centers, Conference Centers, Hotels and Resorts.

The Events Industry Council’s 33 member organizations represent over 103,500 individuals and 19,500 firms and properties involved in the meetings, conventions, and exhibitions industry. The Events Industry Council vision is to be 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) program and signature program initiatives.

Mission is to serve the membership by promoting safe operations, global development, professional growth, and commercial success of the amusement parks and attractions industry.

Meeting Professionals International (MPI) is the largest meeting and event industry association worldwide, and we’re committed to providing the best education, experiences and relationships to help you produce the best meetings and events.

From its local beginnings in New York City, NACE has grown to encompass more than 4,000 members in more than 40 chapters in North America. NACE continues to raise the standard of professionalism in the industry through education, certification, standards, ethics and professional recognition programs. NACE remains dedicated to growing and changing with the industry’s needs, providing critical resources for all its members, wherever they are in their careers and whatever their positions.

Since 1956 the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) has been dedicated to inspiring the Business Events community with senior level networking and educational opportunities globally. With just under 7,000 members and an audience of more than 50,000 individuals, PCMA is the world’s largest network of Business Events Strategists. Headquartered in Chicago, IL USA, PCMA has partners and collaborators around the globe and a footprint within North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia, with activities across 37 countries.

AHLA is the singular voice representing every segment of the hotel industry including major chains, independent hotels, management companies, REIT’s, bed and breakfasts, industry partners and more.

The IH&RA is the only international trade association exclusively devoted to promoting and defending the interests of the hotel and restaurant industry worldwide. It is a non-profit organization and is officially recognized by the United Nations. IH&RA monitors and lobbies all international agencies on behalf of the hospitality industry.

The National Restaurant Association (NRA) is the largest foodservice trade association in the world—supporting over 500,000 restaurant businesses

Managing and operating a Bed & Breakfast to provide guests with stays that are rewarding and memorable is a multi-faceted challenge requiring many skills. Finance, management, marketing, technology, cooking, decorating, cleaning, safety, customer service, staffing — the list is practically endless. Where do innkeepers turn to for the gamut of information, education and the hands-on "know-how” needed to be able to deliver these outstanding guest experiences? They turn to one another, which is the reason the Professional Association of Innkeepers International (PAII) was founded.

The American Kinesiology Association promotes and enhances kinesiology as a unified field of study and advances its many applications. AKA does this by advocating for kinesiology at national and international levels as well as by supporting its member departments by providing resource materials and leadership and educational opportunities for university administrators in kinesiology.

ICSSPE is the world’s largest network of organisations and institutions concerned with sport, sport science and physical education, accounting for millions of people. Among others, the Council belongs to the associated bodies of UNESCO and co-operates with the sport movement. By fostering sport, exercise, education and health, ICSSPE contributes to the development of human society.

SHAPE America – Society of Health and Physical Educators is the nation’s largest membership organization of health and physical education professionals.

The American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA) is an organization of distinguished practitioners and scholars committed to the advancement of the park and recreation field.

The American Recreation Coalition (ARC) is a Washington-based nonprofit organization formed in 1979. Since its inception, ARC has sought to catalyze public/private partnerships to enhance and protect outdoor recreational opportunities and the resources upon which such experiences are based.

National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) is the leading non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of public parks, recreation and conservation. Our work draws national focus to the far-reaching impact of successes generated at the local level. Leveraging their role in conservation,health and wellness, and social equity to improve their communities NRPA’s members of park and recreation professionals and advocates are 60,000 strong and represent public spaces in urban communities, rural settings and everything in between.

Founded in 1952, World Leisure Organization is a world-wide, non-governmental association of persons and organizations dedicated to discovering and fostering those conditions best permitting leisure experience as a force for human development and well-being.

The National Sporting Goods Association supports its members’ efforts to grow the business and advocates on their behalf.

The purpose of the North American Society for Sport Management is to promote, stimulate, and encourage study, research, scholarly writing, and professional development in the area of sport management - both theoretical and applied aspects.

As the leading association for sport marketers, the Sport Marketing Association is dedicated to developing mutually beneficial relationships between professionals, academicians, and students around the world through the creation, distribution, and implementation of sport marketing knowledge via networking, scholarly activities, and career opportunities.

The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting ecotourism. Founded in 1990, TIES has been on the forefront of the development of ecotourism, providing guidelines and standards, training, technical assistance, and educational resources.

Founded in 1951, the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is a not-for profit association that is internationally acclaimed for acting as a catalyst for the responsible development of travel and tourism to, from and within the Asia Pacific region.

U.S. Travel is the leading force that grows and sustains travel and protects the freedom to travel. Our efforts are focused on achieving our shared vision for the industry: Travel is understood as essential to the economy, American jobs, security, image and well-being of the United States and travelers.