Demand for Association Management is Up-- and we know why

If your association staff is spread thin, you are not the only ones. According to results from a survey released last week, some associations have found the solution: outsourcing.

The Association Management Company Institute (AMCI), the organization representing association management companies, released results of a survey of 70 association management companies (AMCs) last week indicating an increasing trend among associations outsourcing management or project-specific services to AMCs. Of the AMCs surveyed:

● 40% reported an increase in RFPs for full-service management, while 37% reported about the same rate of inquiries and RFPs.
● 32% reported an increase in inquiries and RFPs for project work in 2010, while 30% saw about the same rate.

Of the AMCs that saw an increase in demand for outsourced management, the largest growth areas were reported to be:
● (61%) Meetings/conventions management services
● (42%) Financial management
● (32%) Membership services
● (32%) Web services

This popular demand for the many services offered by AMCs is not surprising to Association Management Group. The model allows associations to leave the administrative tasks of running an association to the professional management staff so volunteer leaders can focus on achieving their organizational mission.
But perhaps more important than this is that we provide associations with guidance and counsel to craft, implement and achieve their strategic goals. AMG, like some AMCs also provides executive searches to hire, season association experts to serve its clients.

I’m glad to see the survey of our colleagues reported an optimistic 2011. Seventy-eight percent of AMCs expect their number of full-service clients to grow in 2011.

If your organization is among those wishing to grow, or you know of an organization that wants to come out of the cold, consider drafting a request for proposal (RFP) to an AMC. We posted last month on how to create an RFP to get the services your association needs.

One AMG client, the American Association of Political Consultants (AAPC) did just that. Their partnership with AMG has enabled AAPC leaders to focus on what matters most to them-- the organization’s mission.

“It’s enabled me to spend more time doing research that’s going to better benefit our members,” says Executive Director Angela McMillen. “I can come here and do my job. It’s been twice as productive.”

Other associations managed by AMCs are happy, too. The AMCI survey reports that AMCs expect existing clients to expand their scope of work, via added programs and services. As of December 2010, 64% of responding AMCs anticipate more services for current clients in 2011, up from 2009 when 44% of AMCs predicted increased services for current clients.

This is all good news for AMCs like ours, but the ultimate winners are the members of these organizations with volunteer leaders focused on growing their associations and making a positive difference in their industries.

Is your organization managed by an AMC or perhaps you outsource projects to one? Does it help to take the burden off association staff and board volunteers?