We’re just four months away from coming together in Milwaukee for AMC’s Engaged 2026, taking place July 27–29 at The Pfister Hotel. We’re excited to welcome association management professionals, industry leaders, and peers for meaningful conversations around the strategies, solutions, and ideas shaping the future of our industry.
Group Federal Tax Exemptions
After 5 ½ years, the IRS has announced that it will once again accept applications for group tax exemptions (Revenue Procedure 2026-8). A group exemption is a way for local units (State chapters, e.g.) of a larger parent or “central” association to achieve 501(c) status without having to go through the normal application process. The IRS also set forth the requirements for group exemptions, including existing group exemptions. These requirements largely mirror those already in place, but there are some deviations, and AMCs with clients that have group exemptions should nevertheless ensure that those exemptions comply. If they do not, there is a grace period until January 2027. A key requirement is that the parent association have “general supervision or control” over the local units. Under the new procedure, an affiliation agreement or charter may be sufficient to satisfy that requirement. Each local unit must have its own EIN. One noteworthy new requirement is that a parent association will now be limited to only one group exemption.
Philadelphia, PA — Alta Management Services, Inc. (“Alta”), a full-service association management firm, is proud to announce that it has been selected as the new management
company for Building Owners Managers Association (BOMA) of Orlando, effective immediately.
BOMA Orlando, a leading commercial real estate association serving Central Florida, joins Alta’s growing portfolio of Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) clients. Alta
currently manages BOMA Philadelphia and BOMA New Jersey, bringing deep experience and proven operational expertise to BOMA organizations across multiple regions.
CHICAGO and WASHINGTON, D.C. – Two renowned association industry firms are joining forces to help their clients tackle what’s ahead. Market-leading professional services firm Smithbucklin has acquired McKinley Advisors, an award-winning association consultancy. The combination, further supported by Smithbucklin’s event-focused agency 360 Live Media, creates a unique solution in the marketplace to accelerate association growth, innovation and mission impact.
The acquisition of McKinley Advisors, a firm with deep roots and an exceptional track record in the association industry, brings Smithbucklin expertise in research, strategy, governance and business transformation to further expand its portfolio.
“Contemporary associations increasingly need high-capability partners to help them successfully navigate new challenges and opportunities,” said Matt Sanderson, President and CEO of Smithbucklin. “McKinley is a highly respected, trusted advisor to the world’s leading associations and a natural extension of our current capabilities. We are excited to bring their talent and expertise into the fold and tap our collective knowledge for insights that can strengthen associations.”
The combined organization of nearly 650 employees connects McKinley’s broad portfolio of research-based, strategic advisory services with Smithbucklin’s 75-year track record of association management, education and event strategy, design and execution. McKinley Advisors will continue serving clients with its current leadership team, staff and proven methodologies while leveraging new opportunities to collaborate across the Smithbucklin enterprise.
“From our initial conversations, we saw incredibly strong alignment on the most important things – mission, vision and values,” said Jay Younger, President of McKinley Advisors. “Both firms share a deep, fundamental commitment to helping associations advance mission-driven work for the benefit of humanity. Given that starting point, I'm confident that we will unlock a host of impactful new solutions for our clients that wouldn’t have been possible independently.”
McKinley Advisors will retain its name and brand and will be led by President Jay Younger and its senior leadership team.
About Smithbucklin
Smithbucklin is a professional services company that helps associations modernize, strengthen and advance to deliver better results for their members and missions. For more than 75 years, Smithbucklin has provided association management and capabilities in meetings and events, sponsorship and exhibit sales, education, marketing and technology. With nearly 650 employees in Chicago and Washington, D.C., Smithbucklin companies include 360 Live Media, The France Foundation, SDI Meetings and Incentives and now McKinley Advisors. Learn more about Smithbucklin at www.smithbucklin.com.
About McKinley Advisors
McKinley Advisors is an award-winning consulting firm dedicated to accelerating associations’ positive impact on the world. McKinley works in partnership with association executives and volunteer leaders to identify and address their most significant challenges and opportunities. McKinley provides services through four practice areas: Strategy and Innovation, Organizational Excellence, Business Transformation and Research and Insights. Learn more about McKinley Advisors at www.mckinley-advisors.com.
Media contact:
David DuVal
Director, Marketing and Business Development | McKinley Advisors
[email protected] | 202.856.7870
CHICAGO, IL –Bostrom, a leading association management company known for its Agile Association Management™ approach and people-centric culture, announced today the promotion of three Senior Strategic Directors to Vice President roles. These leadership advancements reflect Bostrom’s continued investment in accountability, innovation, and delivering exceptional value to clients while strengthening industry relationships and service excellence.
Effective immediately:
CHICAGO, IL –Bostrom proudly announces that Kellie Braband, CAE, and Sara Dethloff, CAE, have earned the Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation, the highest professional credential in the association industry.
The CAE credential, awarded by ASAE: The Center for Association Leadership, recognizes professionals who demonstrate a commitment to excellence in association management and mastery of the knowledge essential to lead mission-driven organizations.
Now is the moment to shine a spotlight on the people and organizations who elevate the AMC community every day. From rising leaders and culture‑builders to teams who deliver exceptional client impact, the Awards of Excellence celebrate those who make our industry stronger.
The 2026 AMCI Annual Meeting in Spokane delivered exactly what makes this industry so exceptional: genuine connection, shared learning, and a collective commitment to elevating the AMC model. Across social media, attendees captured the energy of the week, moments of inspiration, collaboration, and celebration that tell the story of an industry moving forward together.
The AMCs Engaged Committee is gearing up for our next big event—and we want your ideas on the program. Proposals are now open for 2026 AMCs Engaged, offering two dynamic ways to participate:
Submission Deadline: February 27, 2026
The AMCI Awards of Excellence shine a light on the individuals and firms who push our industry forward. If you’ve ever been inspired by the remarkable leaders, innovators, and culture-builders in our community, now is your chance to help elevate the next group of honorees.
AMCI is excited to announce that Association Workforce powered by AMCI is officially live and ready to support your firm’s hiring needs. Built exclusively for AMCI members, this on‑demand talent platform helps AMCs scale quickly—before teams are stretched.
Indianapolis, IN — Synergos AMC, a leading association management company with roots dating back to 1996, today announced that it has acquired Management Excellence Inc. (MEI), a respected provider of management services to professional societies and trade associations. The acquisition strengthens Synergos AMC’s national and international footprint and enhances its ability to deliver comprehensive administrative, strategic, and operational support to membership-based organizations.
Nonprofit Resources and Arden Solutions, both AMCI accredited association management companies, have merged as of January 1, 2026. The merger positions Nonprofit Resources to further expand its exceptional support and innovative solutions to national and international associations.
Now is the moment to shine a spotlight on the people and organizations who elevate the AMC community every day. From rising leaders and culture‑builders to teams who deliver exceptional client impact, the Awards of Excellence celebrate those who make our industry stronger.
Support a Local Spokane Charity — Donate Today! As we look ahead to gathering in Spokane, we’re excited to continue the AMCs Care Campaign in partnership with our Industry Partners. This year, we’re proud to support Vanessa Behan, a local nonprofit providing a safe, nurturing place for children when families face crisis or overwhelm.
Your generosity—whether online or in person—directly strengthens the wellbeing of children across Spokane and the Inland Northwest.
In case you missed it recently, we previewed the new Trusted Advisors Program that AMCI is excited to launch in the coming weeks. We are dedicated to making sure all AMCI members are aware of the program and how this work will help to support the 50% by 2050 campaign we have been working on as an association. Please take time to review the information provided in this email before the official launch of the program just after the AMCI Annual conference. We hope the session and information will give you a fresh perspective, useful tools, and confidence in how trusted advisor relationships can help your firm grow.
During the webinar session, Megan and Dan shared how you can leverage this program to:
AMCI 2025 Year-in-Review: A Year of Growth, Momentum & Member Impact
Celebrating the achievements that strengthened our community and advanced the AMC model
The AMCs Engaged Committee is gearing up for our next big event—and we want your ideas on the program. Proposals are now open for 2026 AMCs Engaged, offering two dynamic ways to participate:
Submission Deadline: February 27, 2026
LEXINGTON, KY — AMR Management Services is pleased to announce a series of executive leadership promotions, effective January 1, 2026, reflecting the firm’s continued growth and investment in exceptional talent.
Tracy Tucker has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer. In this role, Tucker will oversee AMR’s day-to-day operations, ensuring operational excellence, scalability, and consistent delivery of high-quality service to clients. Tucker has been with AMR more than 25 years and previously served as Executive Vice President.
