This year AMCI has transitioned to a renewed focus on promoting the value of the AMC model to the benefit of all members. This effort really started in late 2013 and throughout 2014 as AMCI ‘redefined’ its strategic plan under the leadership of Past Chair Dede Gish-Panjada. This year has seen much of the hard work Dede, CEO Tina Wehmeir, the AMCI Board and many, many volunteers come to fruition.

The end of the calendar year and membership year are upon us. Don't forget to renew your membership dues if you haven't already done so. Just log in to your company's account and select the "Renew Membership Now" link. Renewals may be mailed in or completed online.   

Lapsed renewals paid after January 31, 2016 will incur a $250 reinstatement fee. Please also note that membership is a requirement for attendance at the Annual Meeting. If you have any questions, contact Member Services at 571-527-3108 (ext. 114).

Recently Association Forum of Chicagoland and USAE presented their 2015 Forty under 40 Awards recipients for associations and non-profit professionals.

AMCI would like to congratulate the winners from AMCs and AMCI members.

• Amanda Belknap, Senior Manager, Marketing and Membership Development, Association Management Center
• Rebecca Brandt, CAE, Executive Director, Executive Director, Inc.
• Jenny Faucher, President & Founder, Managing Matters Inc.
• Liz Giannini, Operations Manager, Association Management Center
• Brian Mandrier, Senior Vice President – Account Executive, Hauck & Associates, Inc.
• Stephanie Mercado, CAE, Account Executive, Association Management Center
• Emily Muse, CAE, Communities and Programs Manager, Association Management Center
• Jean O’Brien, Director of Marketing and Communications, Sentergroup, Inc.
• Rachel Walsh, CMP, Senior Director of Meetings and Education, Sentergroup, Inc.
• Jordan Wildermuth, Health Policy and Advocacy Manager, Association Management Center

Taylor Fernley, CEO of Fernley & Fernley, a Philadelphia association management company, has been named to the advisory board of St. Joseph's University's Initiative for Family Business and Entrepreneurship in the Haub School of Business.

Read more by clicking here 

Virtual, Inc. has recently added staff to its client program management area and its professional events and marketing teams. New staffers within Virtual's client services teams will work to deliver comprehensive, high-quality support for clients' existing program offerings and to assist with the development and roll-out of new initiatives. Meanwhile, an additional three employees will work with their cross-client professional teams focused on planning and executing client events and marketing initiatives.

New staff members include: Allison Bubanas, Megan Cannon, Lindsay Costa, Hadley Coulter, Clare Leathersich,  Laura MacKenzie, Danielle O'Dea, and Allie Poikonen. Virtual Inc. is located in Wakefield, Massachusetts.

The International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) has selected Drohan Management Group (DMG) as the organization’s new service and support team.

IACET (www.iacet.org) accredits education providers that meet strict, continuing education guidelines originally created in 1968 and recently updated by the IACET Council for Standards Development (ICSD). IACET accreditation is the standard learners seek for quality when they choose a provider. IACET's Standard is the core of thousands of educational programs worldwide. DMG President Bill Drohan, MBA, CAE, FASAE, said. "We welcome the opportunity to help strengthen IACET’s accreditation program and expand its reach."

The new Accreditation Workbook - Sample Policies, Worksheets and Tips for Accreditation and Re-accreditation is now available in the Members Only section of AMCI's website.

This workbook contains valuable worksheets, sample policies and tips on the audit process and was donated to AMCI to benefit members who are accrediting or re-accrediting.

Visit www.amcinstitute.org and log in as a member to download this document. It can be found under the Members Only tab under Accreditation Sample Policies.

Find out the companies that received AMCI Accreditation and Re-accreditation this year. In addition, find out about updates pertaining to accreditation and standards that occurred this year.

The AMCI Standards and Accreditation Task Force presented an auditor webinar at the beginning of the month. This webinar was targeted at reviewers, AMC owners and staff who are responsible for accreditation within their companies. It presented the review process from the reviewer's perspective. View the webinar: Setting the Standard....Efficiency in Delivering Accreditation Reviews online at your leisure.

The AMC Institute Annual Meeting is fast approaching and will be held February 10-12, 2016 in Anaheim, California.

Register NOW for the Early Bird rate which ends January 8, 2016.

Great education and networking in a wonderful location – why not extend your visit while staying at the host hotel, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa?

Book your hotel accommodations NOW under the AMCI room block before it closes on January 15, 2016.

For programming information, visit our website or go to www.amcinstitute.org and click on Upcoming Events under the Meetings & Events tab.

Don't forget that you can receive CAE credits for attending the meeting, so register now!

For questions, contact the Meetings Department at 571-527-3108 ext. 115 or at info@amcinstitute.org.

*Note: Membership dues must be current in order to attend the Annual Meeting!