The following are industry organizations that you will want to follow and potentially become active in:
Meeting Professionals International (MPI)
www.mpiweb.org
Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA)
www.pcma.org
American Society of Association Executives (ASAE)
www.asaecenter.org
Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI)
www.hamai.org
Global Business Travel Association (GBTA)
www.gbta.org