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.{{Cite book|title=The Basics of Achieving Professional Certification: Enhancing Your Credentials|last=Thomas|first=Willis|publisher=CRC Press|year=2013|isbn=9781466554566|pages=78}} Many AMCs serve as an organization's headquarters, managing day-to-day operations and becoming the public face of the organization.{{Cite web|url=http://www.amcinstitute.org/?page=WhatisAMCmodel|title=What is the AMC model? - AMC Institute (AMCI)|website=www.amcinstitute.org|access-date=2016-05-22}}

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.{{Cite web|url=http://www.amcinstitute.org/?page=WhatisAMCmodel|title=What is the AMC model? - AMC Institute (AMCI)|website=www.amcinstitute.org|access-date=2016-05-22}} Orienting board members is common; AMCs lay out expectations for fiduciary oversight and point out conflicts of interest.{{Cite book|title=Association Management: A Distinct Field of Management|last=Dubey|first=Anikesh|publisher=Global India Publications|year=2009|isbn=9789380228587|location=India|pages=143}}

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.{{Cite book|title=Ctrl+Alt+Believe: Reboot Your Association For Success|last=Duckworth|first=Holly|publisher=Balboa Press|year=2014|isbn=978-1-50432-525-7|pages=78}} AMCs can be found in most major U.S. cities.{{Cite book|title=ASAE Handbook of Professional Practices in Association Management|last=Cox|first=John B.|publisher=Jossey-Bass|year=2015|isbn=978-1118775394|pages=38}}

The Alexandria, Va.-based AMC Institute accredits AMCs under the guidance of the American National Standards Institute.{{Cite web|url=http://www.amcinstitute.org/general/custom.asp?page=Accreditation|title=Accreditation - AMC Institute (AMCI)|website=www.amcinstitute.org|access-date=2016-05-22}} Current employees of AMCs are eligible to apply to become a Certified Association Executive.{{Cite book|title=The Guide to National Professional Certification Programs|last=Harris|first=Philip M.|publisher=HRD Press|year=2001|isbn=978-0874256321|pages=83}}