Accreditation History

AMC Institute and ASAE join forces on accreditation program Single industry accreditation supported by Associations and AMCs

 

Washington D.C. (May 21, 2007) - To provide clearer direction to associations interested in being managed by association management companies (AMCs), the AMC Institute and ASAE & The Center for Association Leadership have agreed to come together to fully support a single AMC accreditation program.

At the ASAE Key AMC Committee meeting in Washington D.C. earlier this month, AMC Institute president Bob Waller, CAE and John Graham, CAE, President & CEO of ASAE, signed an agreement - capping off several years of research and collaboration.

 

The AMC Institute - formerly the International Association of Association Management Companies - is a nonprofit international trade association with more than 150 AMC members throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe and Asia. ASAE & The Center serves as the professional membership society and leading voice of associations.

 

"Our two organizations share many of the same members so the creation of a single accreditation program is extremely beneficial," said Waller. "This partnership will help promote and improve the AMC industry."

AMC Institute and ASAE have maintained separate and independent accreditation programs for several years. More than 60 AMCs have achieved one accreditation or the other. About one third of these have dual accreditation. Last year, the AMC Institute submitted a proposal to ASAE & The Center detailing the benefits of a single accreditation program. A panel of ASAE & The Center’s AMC community leaders was convened, and after thorough consideration, recommended a single industry accreditation program administered by AMC Institute. The AMC Institute accreditation program is based upon their American National Standards (ANSI) approved standard for good AMC practices.

 

"We are thrilled to be partnering on such an important program and recognize the importance of working together to provide effective guidance to our members and stakeholders on high quality standards," said John Graham, CAE, President & CEO of ASAE. "This partnership combines the strength of both of our organizations and connects the focus of an industry trade association with the reach of a professional society."

 

Accreditation demonstrates a commitment and ability to deliver the highest quality service to present and potential clients. Participating AMCs must withstand a comprehensive independent audit of services and procedures to meet the stringent requirements - which focus on client relations and impeccable business operations.

 

Although the transition to a single program has already begun, the ASAE accreditation program will not be terminated for another three years. In addition, the more recently accredited AMCs can keep their ASAE Accredited AMC designation through the end of 2010. Throughout the transition, the AMC Institute will conduct educational workshops to assist any ASAE-accredited AMC interested in pursuing the new program.

 

This is not the first time the two organizations have worked together on behalf of the AMC industry. Previous partnerships include an industry marketing initiative and meeting programming.

 

"AMC Institute and ASAE & The Center for Association Leadership are committed to helping associations thrive and reach their full potential," said Sue Pine, executive vice president of the AMC Institute. "To this end, we will continue to collaborate on initiatives that advance best practices within AMCs."