Spreading the Word: How AMCI's Market Development Domain Is Changing the Story of Association Management

Jeanne Sheehy, CMO at Bostrom and Marketing Advisory Board Director

It started with a bold declaration. About four years ago, Board Chair Mark Engle stood before the AMC Institute community and issued a challenge that was equal parts audacious and inspiring: by 2050, AMCs should manage 50% of the associations in our target size range. Just like that, a Big Hairy Audacious Goal or BHAG was born.

Scope Creep: The Industry Conversation We Need to Have

Sarah Timm, CAE, CMP-HC, Parthenon Management Group, AMCI Board Chair

Scope creep rarely arrives dramatically. It doesn't usually come as a sweeping demand or an overwhelming initiative. More often, it appears quietly — one additional committee call, an expanded conference deliverable, another "quick" marketing request, a last-minute board initiative added with the best of intentions.

A Decade of Growth: AMCI's Canadian Chapter Marks Ten Years of Progress

Peter Waite, CAE, Principal at Association & Events Management International and AMCI Board Director

Ten Years of Expanding Reach

2026 marks the tenth anniversary of AMCI’s first — and to date, only — Chapter. Over the past decade, the Canadian Chapter has doubled its membership to 22 firms and now has representation from coast to coast. Collectively, our members manage nearly 300 associations representing approximately 125,000 association members.

 This is one of the most valuable tools AMCI has ever put in members' hands. 

Don't leave it on the shelf.

When a client asks, “How do our costs compare?” — you need more than a gut feeling. You need data. And AMCI has invested in giving you exactly that.

The AMCI Benchmarking Tool is the only on-demand benchmarking resource built specifically for AMC members — developed and validated by renowned researcher Dr. James Gaskin. It gives you instant access to the most current income and expense data across more than 50 categories for approximately 200,000 C3 and C6 nonprofits annually. Filter it to match the exact client profiles you work with, and you’ll walk into every proposal and renewal conversation armed with real numbers that tell a compelling story.

Join us on Wednesday, June 10 at 2:00 PM (Eastern) for an insightful eduseries on the future of AI-powered email marketing for AMCs!

Email marketing is evolving -- and association management companies can't afford to fall behind. In this on-demand webinar, we'll show you how AI is reshaping the way AMCs build, send, and optimize email campaigns across their entire client portfolio.

INDIANAPOLIS – Raybourn Group International is honored to have been named one of Indiana’s Best Places to Work by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce for the sixth year in a row. The Chamber revealed nominee rankings at an awards dinner on May 13, 2026, naming Raybourn Group International (RGI) as the 22nd best small-medium company (35 – 74 employees) to work for in Indiana.

“Being named as one of the Best Places to Work in Indiana for the sixth consecutive year is such an honor, and I am so proud of what we’ve built and continue to maintain in our pursuit of serving our clients and our RGI community,” says President Leslie Murphy, CAE, FASAE. “RGI would not be who we are today without the dedication and talents of our team. We as a company are committed to helping our employees advance themselves even further by investing in education, professional development opportunities, and by creating an environment focused on collaboration.”

AMCI Charges into Q2: Celebrating Our Members,

Growing Our Community, and Advancing the Industry

Tina Wehmeir, CMP-Fellow, CAE, President & CEO, AMC Institute

As we move into Q2 of 2026, the energy across the AMC Institute is unmistakable. April brought new members, new educational milestones, exciting event momentum, and perhaps most meaningfully, a new initiative to formally recognize the remarkable firms that make AMCI what it is. The 50 by 50 Strategic Plan continues to gather strength, and every step forward is a testament to the dedication of this community.

Join us on Tuesday, May 19 at 2:00 PM (Eastern) for an upcoming EduSeries designed to help Association Management Companies move beyond experimentation and into real, strategic AI adoption. In this session, we'll explore how to turn curiosity into capability and create meaningful value for both your AMC and your clients.

Many AMCs remain stuck between basic experimentation and limited implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Now is the time to define a clear, strategic path to AI-driven value.

Architects of What’s Next: Why You Should Be at Engaged 2026 in Milwaukee

Kay Whalen, MBA, CAE, President, Executive Director, Inc. and AMCI Board Director

From July 27-29, the AMC community will gather in Milwaukee for one of the most anticipated events of the year—AMCI’s Engaged Meeting. More than a conference, Engaged has become the place where ideas are tested, relationships are strengthened, and the future of the association management industry takes shape.

40 Years Strong: IMI Association Executives Expands Impact in a Changing Nonprofit Landscape

Celebrating four decades of continuous leadership, nonprofit partnership, and a future focused on growth and expanded client impact

We're thrilled to announce that Rachel Druckenmiller will open AMCs Engaged 2026 as our keynote speaker.

From Deliverables to Direction: What’s Next for AMCs

Sarah Timm, CAE, CMP-HC, President & CEO, Parthenon Management Group, AMCI Board Chair 

Community Engagement and Development: Building AMCI as Your Professional Home 

Mike Dwyer, CAE Chief Client Officer & Partner, Association Headquarters, AMCI Board Director

We’re excited to welcome Rachel Druckenmiller as our AMCs Engaged keynote speaker. Rachel is a TEDx speaker and Certified Speaking Professional with nearly 20 years of experience helping leaders think clearly, speak confidently, and show up with stronger presence—skills that directly support the AMC business model.

Her keynote, REFLECT. REFRAME. RECALIBRATE: How to Lead Through What’s Next, is designed for the realities AMC professionals face every day.

Grow Your AMC with a Smarter Marketing Toolkit

There are just two weeks left until our upcoming webinar, Grow Your AMC with a Smarter Marketing Toolkit—a practical, hands-on session designed to help association management companies strengthen their marketing, communicate their value more clearly, and attract new clients with confidence.

Veritas Association Management Welcomes Society for the Advancement of Patient Blood Management

Healthcare association selects Veritas to strengthen governance, operational infrastructure and member engagement

As we complete the first quarter of 2026, the momentum across AMC Institute reflects a strong, engaged community committed to advancing the association management industry. From new member growth to expanded professional development and global engagement, AMCI continues to make meaningful progress toward its ambitious 50 by 50 Strategic Plan.

Growing Our Community
AMCI is proud to welcome eight new member firms in the first quarter of 2026. They are:

Grow Your AMC with a Smarter Marketing Toolkit

Join this practical webinar designed to help association management companies market themselves more effectively, communicate their value clearly, and attract new clients with confidence.

April is National Volunteer Month, and we are proud to recognize and celebrate the exceptional volunteers who make AMCI’s work possible. The AMC industry thrives because of the dedication, expertise, and generosity of individuals who give their time and energy to strengthen our community and advance the AMC model.

Across AMCI, volunteers contribute in countless ways — shaping education, elevating industry standards, supporting partners, and building the next generation of AMC leaders. We are grateful for the passionate professionals who serve on:

Menomonee Falls, WI – Karen A. Hurley, MA, CAE, has been named the Executive Director of the Automotive Fleet & Leasing Association (AFLA). AFLA is managed by Association Acumen, an award-winning accredited association management firm based in Menomonee Falls, WI.