Association management company

An association management company, or AMC, provides management and specialized administrative services to non-profit trade associations and professional associations using a for-profit approach.[1] Many AMCs serve as an organization's headquarters, managing day-to-day operations and becoming the public face of the organization.[2]

Services may include executive, administrative and financial management; strategic planning; membership development; public affairs and lobbying; education and professional development; statistical research; meetings management; and marketing and communication services.[3] Orienting board members is common; AMCs lay out expectations for fiduciary oversight and point out conflicts of interest.[4]

Fernley & Fernley, Inc., based in Philadelphia and founded in 1886, was the first association management company in the United States.[5] More than 600 AMCs worldwide now collectively manage associations ranging in budget size from $50,000 to $16 million and representing more than 3 million members.[6] AMCs can be found in most major U.S. cities.[7]

The Alexandria, Va.-based AMC Institute accredits AMCs under the guidance of the American National Standards Institute.[8] Current employees of AMCs are eligible to apply to become a Certified Association Executive.[9]

Chicago-based SmithBucklin is the world's largest AMC,[10] although Geneva, Switzerland-based MCI Group, a professional conference organiser that offers AMC services, has more employees: 1,900 as of 2016.[11]

  1. ^ Thomas, Willis (2013). The Basics of Achieving Professional Certification: Enhancing Your Credentials. CRC Press. p. 78. ISBN 9781466554566.
  2. ^ "What is the AMC model? - AMC Institute (AMCI)". www.amcinstitute.org. Retrieved 2016-05-22.
  3. ^ "What is the AMC model? - AMC Institute (AMCI)". www.amcinstitute.org. Retrieved 2016-05-22.
  4. ^ Dubey, Anikesh (2009). Association Management: A Distinct Field of Management. India: Global India Publications. p. 143. ISBN 9789380228587.
  5. ^ "About | Fernley and Fernley". www.fernley.com. Archived from the original on 2017-12-11. Retrieved 2017-12-26.
  6. ^ Duckworth, Holly (2014). Ctrl+Alt+Believe: Reboot Your Association For Success. Balboa Press. p. 78. ISBN 978-1-50432-525-7.
  7. ^ Cox, John B. (2015). ASAE Handbook of Professional Practices in Association Management. Jossey-Bass. p. 38. ISBN 978-1118775394.
  8. ^ "Accreditation - AMC Institute (AMCI)". www.amcinstitute.org. Retrieved 2016-05-22.
  9. ^ Harris, Philip M. (2001). The Guide to National Professional Certification Programs. HRD Press. p. 83. ISBN 978-0874256321.
  10. ^ "5 Questions for SmithBucklin President Matt Sanderson – PCMA Convene". www.pcmaconvene.org. May 2016. Retrieved 2016-05-30.
  11. ^ "About Us | MCI at a Glance". www.mci-group.com. Retrieved 2016-05-30.