Join us on Friday, August 14 and Saturday, August 15 for a Preconference program that is tailored to the unique needs of AMC Owners and senior staff. Whether it is in the general sessions on topics such as profitability models for professional service firms, outsourcing opportunities, and the current economy or in the customized roundtable discussions and breakout sessions, there will truly be something for everyone.

Separate registration fee applies.

View the complete schedule for Friday and Saturday.

Friday, August 14, 2009

1:00 - 1:15 p.m.     Opening and Introduction

1:15 - 2:15 p.m.     General Session: Trends in Outsourcing: Why Now More Than Ever Before
Outsourcing is emerging as a trend among all association models, both AMCs and standalones, especially in this economy.

Participants in the session will hear from a panel of AMC owners who are successfully growing their revenue by embracing the opportunities of outsourcing. Learn how to maximize your staffing, refine your marketing message, and gracefully combine full service offerings with other specific a la carte menu items.  Session topics will also include:

* The Benefits of Outsourcing – Despite anti-outsourcing backlash, benefits from outsourcing are very tangibly felt in the association community.
* Outsourcing and How is it Best Sold – Every minute association staff spends on an activity that does not directly add value and benefit to member satisfaction is a cost that can be saved.
* Outsourcing the Right Way – Positioning your company to be a great outsourcing Partner
* Customer Concerns about Outsourcing – Be the best service provider, one with integrity, honesty, efficiency and great communication skills.
* Outsourcing Ethics – Our clients can always find companies that offer services at very low costs. Putting ethical concerns first could be the costlier choice and pricing differences could be deceptive as these will only be in the initial cost.

Moderator: Lori Gordon, principal, CEO, The MandMarblestone Group LLC
John Dee, CPA, COO / CFO, Bostrom Corporation
Deidre Gish Panjada, VP, AMP Management Services
Bruce Wardle, CAE, president & CEO, Association Management Group, Inc

2:30 - 3:15 p.m.     Breakout Sessions - Pick One
Accredited Firms: How Can I Differentiate My AMC to Be More Valuable to My Clients
Join us for a session designed just for Accredited AMC owners and principals.  In a discussion facilitated by Sue Pine, CAE, representatives from small, medium and large AMCs will explore and discuss the ASAE Trends Research, how they have incorporated the trends research into their own corporate strategic planning process, as well as into their client's strategic planning process. 

Panel discussion facilitated by: Suzanne Pine, CAE, AMC-National Accounts, Philadelphia CVB

Non-Accredited Firms
Join us for an informative session that will focus on the business case for accreditation.  The case studies presented will demonstrate the bottom line value of going through the accreditation process.  Representatives from two accredited firms will focus on how the accreditation process helped improve their AMC and how they plan to use accreditation to position and market their AMC.

Panel discussion facilitated by: Jonathan Strauss, President, Strauss Event & Association Management

Associate Member Forum
Calling all industry vendors…. Whether you’re an AMC Institute Associate Member veteran, or new to AMC Institute, this is a must-attend session. You will take away ideas not only on how to maximize your Associate Membership, but how to develop profitable relationships with AMCs, both of which can positively affect your bottomline.

Panel discussion facilitated by: Richard Green, VP of Industry Relations & Association Sales, Marriott International

3:30 - 5:00 p.m.     Breakout Sessions - Pick One
General Forums by Size
Back by popular demand!  Love the idea of networking with your peers but wish you had additional time to sit one-on-one with the company representatives that face the same exact challenges as you do on a day to day basis?  This is your opportunity!   Based on consistent member feedback, we’ve slotted this time to allow you to sit in a room and have open discussions with your peers.  A facilitator will get things started by asking what is on your mind and the free-flowing exchange of information and ideas will begin.  Get ready to learn and grow!  Associate Members are welcome to join.

Smaller AMCs (10 Employees or Less)
Panel discussion facilitated by: Jonathan Strauss, President, Strauss Event & Association Management

Mid-Size AMCs (11-35 Employees)
Panel discussion facilitated by: Michael Palmer, President, Treeline Associates, Inc

Larger AMCs (More than 35 Employees)
Panel discussion facilitated by: Bob Waller, CAE, President, Association Headquarters, Inc.

5:00-6:00        Evening Reception
Networking Celebration
Join your colleagues and friends of the AMC Community for a chance to unwind and reflect on the day’s learning at an evening event sponsored by Hilton.

Transportation and Location: Hilton Toronto

Saturday, August 15, 2009

7:30 - 8:30 a.m.     Breakfast with Roundtable Discussions
Join your peers for a lively discussion over breakfast. Table captains will help facilitate the flow of conversation and each table will be asked to provide a verbal recap at the end of the session. Come participate, listen, and learn with your colleagues!

Topic 1 – 990 War Stories with Robert E. McLean, CAE, President, REM Association Services   
Topic 2 – Canadian AMCs with Wayne Glover, President & CEO, Associations First, Ltd.
Topic 3 – International issues with Nikki Walker, Managing Director, MCI
Topic 4 – Human Resources with Randy Lindner, CAE, President, Bostrom Corporation
Topic 5 – Scope Creep with David Stumph, CAE, Vice President, The Resource Center for Associations
Topic 6 – Creative Compensation; Intangible Benefits with Lori Gordon, Principal, CEO, The MandMarblestone Group LLC
Topic 7 – Social Networking / Web 2.0 with Steve Drake, President, Drake & Company
Topic 8 – Introducing Trends Research to your Boards with Sue Pine, CAE, AMC-National Accounts, Philadelphia CVB & Molly Lopez, CAE, President & Owner, Association Management, Ltd.
Topic 9 - Technology Trends with Deidre Gish-Panjada, Vice President, AMP Management Services

8:45 – 10:00 a.m.     General Session: The Business of Running a Professional Services Firm
In Managing the Professional Service Firm, David Maister says “every professional service firm in the world, regardless of size, specific profession, or country of operation, has the same mission statement:  outstanding service to clients, satisfying careers for its people, and financial success for its owners.” The panelists in this session are managing partners from professional service firms in other industries.  What they can teach us will improve our management of our own AMCs.  Topics will include profitability, business development, human resources issues, client matters, partner or shareholder relations, company structure, and asset management.

Panel Discussion facilitated by: Jay Hauck, J.D.,CAE, VP, Hauck & Associates, Inc.

10:15 – 11:30 a.m.     General Session: Front Line, Up-To-The-Minute Snapshot of Owner Response to an Evolving Economic Landscape
Join use for a panel presentation with experienced owners, as well as some new to the industry for a first-hand look how AMCs are responding to the evolving economic landscape.  The content for this session will be developed through our AMC Institute LinkedIn Group so that we have current information on the AMC industry's response to these economic times.

11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.         Luncheon sponsored by Hinton + Grusich

1:00 – 2:00 p.m.        General Session: Create New Opportunities for Your AMC
Under the umbrella of Web 2.0, we’ll explore social media as an effective way to get the word out in the current economic climate, and walk through AMC Institute’s new customer-focused Web site including opportunities to enhance your AMC’s exposure, tap into new resources, generate referrals and boost business.  In this panel discussion, three AMC owners/principals will discuss strategies and tactics to grow the market for AMCs, specific ways you can leverage these opportunities for your AMC, and marketing tools available to members.

Panel Discussion facilitated by: Vince Powers, partner, Devine + Powers
Panel:
Steve Drake, president, Drake & Company
John Ruffin, CAE, president & CEO, AMR Management Services
Betsy Wintringer, senior marketing manager, Association Management Center

2:15 – 3:30 p.m.        General Session: The AMC: Economic Stress Relief for Association Execs
Recent conversations and experience with association leadership suggest more associations are considering association management companies for full service management, outsourced services, back office support, strategic partnerships, or possibly for a professional employment organization solution.  The goal of this session is to engage panelists and attendees in a dialogue about the questions and possible opportunities for association/ AMC collaboration. A panel of industry experts will lead a discussion on the current economic climate, anticipated changes in the association landscape, and opportunities for associations and AMC partnership to more effectively manage and deliver association success.

For free registration to "The AMC: Economic Stress Relief for Association Execs" session, advance distribution of online resources, and the chance to win a $200 ASAE Bookstore gift certificate, please go to http://member.amcinstitute.org/meetings/2009TorontoDrawing.cfm.

Panel Discussion facilitated by: David Baumann, CEO, Executive Director, Inc.
Panel:
Bill Grusich, CMP, president, Hinton + Grusich
Vicki Loise, CAE, executive director, Association of University Technology Managers
Bill Barnes, CPA, partner, Givens & Barnes
Hugh Webster, Esq., partner, Webster, Chamberlain & Bean

2010 ASAE & The Center Annual Meeting & Exposition

Los Angeles Convention Center   |   1201 South Figueroa Street   |   Los Angeles, CA 90015   |   (213) 741-1151   |   Map It