ECA International is a very significant and influential representative body of the European catering industry. ECA International better states its mission itself, it serves "To maintain and improve sound business practice and to effectively serve its members and associates. To foster a high standard of professional conduct within the industry. To promote the art and science of catering by promoting opportunities for the exchange of ideas and experiences. To help members improve their professional performance and career advancement through educational programmes and the dissemination of job opportunities. To co-operate with worldwide organizations that share a common interest with the Association in advancing the catering industry and to create opportunities for interaction between members of the association."

ECA members are recognized hotels schools and research institutes, national food agencies and catering specialists in many European countries including Holland, France, Denmark, Bulgaria, Switzerland and Great Britain. ECA activities enhance enthusiasm, healthy competitiveness and cooperation among all its members and provide excellent platform for the exchange of experience and knowledge on professional catering. This makes ECA members think globally and act locally as they receive tons of new information and knowledge through organized meetings, conferences and competitions. An important factor is that the events can simultaneously take place in a variety of European locations: while there is a conference, seminar or study tour organized by ECA Great Britain, a similar event takes place in Sweden or in Belgium. This provides a close interaction of greater amount of people as well as an opportunity for them to choose a location in a close proximity to their home country (or even in their home country). ECA International members can study and have practice at time and place that suits them most.

The Association maintains and promotes quality education and training of the staff via international students, trainees and employees exchange programs and on-line training courses. The educational programs are designed for supervisory managers, operational managers and business managers and cover a wide range of topics including food and beverage management, sales and marketing, managing people to name but a few.

In addition to events, meetings and interactive educational programs, ECA International issues a quarterly newsletter that features news and relevant articles to keep members up to date on the happenings of our industry.

The ECA International also promotes catering as a profession for future generations. For this aim, it holds the 'Student of the Year' to highlight and perpetuate catering as a profession of choice. The competition takes place in a different member state each year.

ECA International is the major and most reliable source for statistical information on catering in all member countries and delivers its members the most up-to-date information that is available through constant studies and research of the European catering market.