What is an Association Management Company (AMC)?
Association management companies, or AMCs, are for-profit businesses that manage associations to help them grow and prosper. They offer the expertise, staffing and resources that allow professional societies, trade groups, not-for-profits and philanthropic organizations to effectively manage day-to-day operations and advance their long-term goals. AMCs deliver high levels of expertise and accountability so that associations can continue to increase their value and relevance to members.
Tailored management solutions for the non-profit community.
The AMC model allows all services to be customized to meet specific goals. Whether your nonprofit is in the market for full-service management or specific services — strategic planning, membership development, communications, and more — AMCs leverage shared resources across multiple association clients to increase means and capabilities, including membership, marketing, finance, etc.
AMCs are a valuable source of information and expertise to nonprofit organizations. AMCs provide a wealth of association management experience through proven best practices. Because they manage more than one association, their skills and knowledge base are broad and substantial.
AMCs provide their clients with unparalleled flexibility, agility, and financial advantages, which makes the AMC model a good alternative for managing many nonprofit organizations.
There are two primary models for working with AMCs:
Full Service: Many AMCs serve as an organization's headquarters, providing an experienced executive to work with a customized blend of other AMC-staff resources, managing day-to-day operations, supporting members, becoming the public face of the organization, all with staff members who are experts in the critical areas of association management and operations that are essential for success. And of special importance in this economy, retaining an AMC can lead to enhanced buying power, improved staff efficiency, and reduced overhead costs.
AMCs deliver turnkey management for all operating disciplines (ranging from membership, marketing and policy development to legal and risk management) and daily operations (including staffing, office space, equipment, contracts, technologies and member services).
Outsourced Services: Often organizations prefer an outsourced approach because AMCs offer scalability of service – staff and resources where and when they need it. Because AMC staff members are specialists in association management services, they serve as an extension of staff to help meet a client's specific needs.
Outsourced 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.

|