Renowned in the industry as a trusted source of MWR/Services information, IMCEA educates thousands of MWR/Services professionals worldwide each year about the strategies, technologies, products, and services required to successfully operate their facilities. Supporting the continued growth and success of the industry, IMCEA offers a Membership program, world-class educational events, respected publications and research, and a comprehensive online resource.

There are several aspects to IMCEA and many reasons our membership has more than doubled in the past four years. The information on this site will help you to understand who IMCEA is, what we offer our members, and where the Association is headed in the future.

Established in 1972 as an association for military club managers, the objective then was to advance and improve the operation of military clubs worldwide. The newly formed organization planned to improve the image of and promote the professionalism of military club personnel.  IMCEA intended to direct its efforts toward proper recognition of club personnel for their accomplishments.

These objectives still stand today with one major exception: IMCEA now encompasses ALL aspects of military MWR/Services.

Today, IMCEA is the only international organization targeted specifically to all managers in military MWR/Services. And the military market is unique in many ways. When IMCEA formed, there was a definite need for a professional organization just for military club managers. The organizational strengths and structure developed over the past 30 years has served military club managers well. IMCEA has evolved and now that same structure, and those same strengths, is available to all MWR/Services managers throughout the military communities of all services. IMCEA provides a vehicle for military community executives to exchange viewpoints and ideas and share information. We pride ourselves on giving our members the specific information and solutions they need to manage the challenging and ever-changing demands of their facilities.

MWR is BIG business! Over $4 billion in appropriated and non-appropriated funds is spent each year to provide viable recreation, family and leisure programs for uniformed service personnel and their families. IMCEA is very active in developing and presenting management and leadership programs to augment the training provided by the Department of Defense, protecting interests of MWR/Services professionals, and protecting and ensuring the long-term viability of the Department of Defense efforts to improve the quality of life of uniformed service personnel and their families.  IMCEA also offers a certification program, the Certified Military Community Executive (CMCE) designation, for MWR professionals who achieve the highest levels of professional experience, job knowledge, and professionalism.   

IMCEA is a private, non-profit member-based organization incorporated in the State of Georgia. Our membership is comprised of MWR/Services professionals who manage military MWR/Services programs. Our members can be found at virtually every military base and installation worldwide.  

IMCEA is unique in that its membership also includes manufacturers, manufacturers’ representatives, brokers, distributors and other companies that sell or provide goods and services to military MWR/Services.  We currently have nearly 200 manufacturers and service providers from the corporate sector who do business with the U.S. Government in MWR/Services.