2025 Annual Conference
Marriott Louisville Downtown
January 31 – February 2, 2025 Louisville, KYdays
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What is the Event Service Professionals Association?
For 30 years, ESPA (formerly ACOM) has been the only association and voice representing event service professionals from CVBs, hotels and convention centers from across North America. It is a community for CSMs, an educational resource, a network of your peers, a place and forum for event service professionals to be heard and to learn. An organization that advocates for the role and impact event service professionals have on the success of events and of destinations, hotels and convention centers. Through education and networking, members learn skills to be more effective service managers; gain a better understanding of the breadth of their role; learn about planners' expectations and build career-long connections.
Freeman and ESPA continue its long-standing partnership to support students through the annual Donald S. Freeman Jr. Conference Scholarship. The selected student receives travel and complimentary registration to the ESPA Annual Conference, an opportunity for lasting connections and education.
A poll of planners revealed that 88% say their perception of a hotel, convention center or destination is Greatly Affected by the quality of service provided by the CSM.
Stay informed, grow your skills, and join ESPA today
ESPA is a CMP Preferred Provider. Attending the ESPA Conference is typically estimated to offer up to 10 CMP credit hours. And our webinars typically offer one hour of credit which you can earn right from your own office!
Learn more about our Conference and Webinars !
ESPA took the lead to help venues and destinations become more accessible through development and publishing of its Accessibility FAQs document. This is a customizable tool which walks you through your own accessibility questions and which allows you to clearly convey information to your planner clients.
Members, gain access on My ESPA Portal
ESPA hosts its annual Executive Excellence Award program each fall, culminating in recognizing one stellar Executive who tirelessly and faithfully mentors and supports their Services team and their quest for excellence in services.
I am ESPA's 'biggest' fan. I truly enjoy my involvement and membership. I find it valuable and attending the annual meeting always re-energizes me. Love networking with the folks who team with me to make my meetings successful...and the best part, become life-long friends!
Vanessa Kane, CMP, CMM, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States
JOIN FORCES WITH ESPA TODAYESPA means to me… commitment, industry involvement, collaboration and a connection with others specifically involved in the role of Event Services. The association has been part of my life the past 13+ years and one I find invaluable to my continued learning in my current role. Being involved in the association has been key. I get back what I put in!
Paul Ruby, CMP, Sheraton Dallas
JOIN FORCES WITH ESPA TODAYEnergizing, Advocate, Resource
Elise Colson, Greater Palm Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau
JOIN FORCES WITH ESPA TODAYI have been a member of ESPA for many years. When I first started in this industry, I knew nothing. ESPA, then ACOM provided me with the resources I needed to build a very successful service department and team. Learning from my peers (many who are now close friends) has been invaluable. Had it not been for ESPA I would have never met and had the opportunity to network with service professionals from CVBs from literally all over the country.
Vikki Kelly, CMP, Visit Denver
JOIN FORCES WITH ESPA TODAYIn my eighth year of ESPA membership the organization continues to be a forward-thinking educational resource for the services end of the hospitality industry. The continuing education opportunities are an excellent source of education and knowledge sharing. Last, but certainly, not least the annual conference continues to be an ideal environment for networking with colleagues from various venues, gaining a better understanding of industry trends and honing our skills as event service professionals.
Dominique Bonds, Guest Experience Director, Pennsylvania Convention Center
JOIN FORCES WITH ESPA TODAYTop professional resource for events industry * conduit for networking and education * my peers in ESPA understand me
Julie Brakenbury, Greater Raleigh CVB
JOIN FORCES WITH ESPA TODAY
