The 70/30 Attendance Policy
At least 70% of the people at every CCAIA chapter meeting are practitioners. Vendors and consultants make up no more than 30%.
70%+
Practitioners
30%
Maximum Vendors & Consultants
Practitioner-led. Not vendor-free.
Why we have it
We founded the Contact Center AI Association with a simple goal: to give practitioners clear, unbiased education about AI in customer support. We hold ourselves to a high standard, modeled on the ethical principles that protect public trust in the legal profession, which prohibit circumstances that create even a perception of bias.
Our early meetings were practitioner-only. Later, we invited vendors to share their knowledge, and in some cases even paid for their travel. Vendors earned a place in the room through their reputation, not their checkbook.
As we grew into chapters across 11 U.S. cities, vendor and consultant members could attend any chapter meeting, and many found enough value to travel from chapter to chapter. But most practitioners attend their local meeting, while vendors and consultants are more likely to travel, and that changed the mix in some rooms.
We learned that support leaders share less when practitioners are not a clear majority. They become more careful about discussing what happens inside their companies, even with clear rules about keeping conversations private. When people speak less openly, everyone learns less.
That is why practitioners make up at least 70% of every chapter meeting, and vendors and consultants make up no more than 30%.
How it works
- 1
Members apply for a specific meeting
Practitioner members are guaranteed a seat. Vendor and consultant members apply to attend each meeting through the member portal. Membership is required to apply but does not guarantee a seat.
- 2
Local practitioners rank applicants on merit
The chapter's practitioner leaders rank applicants by who they believe will contribute the most to that meeting's topics of discussion. The ranking is based entirely on merit. No one can pay to influence it.
- 3
Invitations go out in ranked order
As more practitioners register, we work down the list and extend more invitations while keeping the 70/30 balance. Applicants who are not yet invited stay on the waitlist, and we email them if a spot opens.
Common questions
- How are registrations prioritized or declined?
- Chapter leaders choose the applicants they believe will bring the most insight to the topics being discussed at that meeting.
- Does an attendee's title or seniority matter?
- Yes. Practitioners consistently prefer senior executives and technical team members over salespeople.
- Who decides who attends?
- Chapter Presidents decide which topics their meeting will cover. Chapter Vice Presidents decide who will be in the room to discuss them. Both roles must be held by practitioners, and they often seek guidance from other practitioners when making these decisions.
- If I'm not selected, can I attend and just listen?
- No. Everyone in the room counts toward the 70/30 balance, including people who only listen.
- Can vendors and consultants join by Zoom?
- No. Chapter meetings are in person only. We distill each discussion into Meeting Insights, which, along with our Legal Updates, are available to all members.
Practitioners lead the discussion. Experts bring the insights the group needs. And everyone can trust what they learn.
Questions about the policy? Email john@ccaia.org.