We are people people.

Boston, Massachusetts – Nearly 9,000 participants from leading organizations in Europe, North America and other regions of the world convened to share, discuss and advance research in multiple sclerosis (MS) at a meeting managed by Association Management Partners & Executive Directors (AMPED) in September.

AMPED is the association management company for America’s Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ACTRIMS). ACTRIMS hosted the triennial joint meeting with Europe’s Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS) in Boston, Massachusetts. The joint meeting, MSBoston2014, was the largest gathering of its kind for multiple sclerosis researchers and clinicians.

“Our team, led by Marechiel Santos-Lang, did a tremendous job of choreographing the many facets of a meeting of this size,” said Lynda J. Patterson, FASAE, CAE, owner and president of AMPED. “Every step – from choosing the venue to the final accounting – takes careful planning and attention to detail. The ACTRIMS board of directors was very pleased with the success of MSBoston.”

The meeting was a financial success, as well. Sponsorship sales were double the goal set. Net revenue for the event was $4 million.

The next triennial meeting will be hosted by ECTRIMS in Paris, France in 2017.

MSBoston by the numbers

Meeting

• 8,806 participants from 92 countries
• 59 sessions
• 206 speakers and chairs
• 50 exhibitors
• $10 million revenue

Posters

• 981 posters
• 22 late breaking e-posters

Media

• 146 reporters from 22 countries
• 60 original articles
• 85 video and TV interviews
• 1,000+ Tweets reaching 1 million timelines

 Lynda J. Patterson, FASAE, CAE, president and owner of AMPED has been elected chair of the board of the Association Societies Alliance (ASA), a national federation of societies of association executives. Patterson serves as president and CEO of the Wisconsin Society of Association Executives (WSAE), a client of AMPED.

As chair of ASA, Patterson will represent the Alliance on issues of common interest to associations and lead the organization’s strategic initiatives.

“ASA provides an invaluable forum to share ideas and innovation in association management. I’m honored to serve as its chair,” says Patterson.

ASA is a voluntary membership organization comprised of local, regional, multi-state, independent, autonomous society association executives. The purpose of the Alliance is to be the knowledge leader of the profession of association management, preparing society association executive-CEOs for future success.

The National Association of Professional Allstate Agents, Inc. (NAPAA) has retained AMPED to provide all association management services, effective July 1, according to Lynda J. Patterson, FASAE, CAE, president and owner of AMPED. Nancy Fish will continue to serve as the association’s executive director.

NAPAA, founded in 1990, is dedicated to the success of Allstate exclusive agency owners and to advance the independence and entrepreneurial spirit of its members. NAPAA offers a variety of resources for members, including an annual conference, education, an online forum, member-to-member referrals, and a quarterly magazine distributed to more than 9,000 Allstate insurance agents.

The association’s current headquarters will move from Gulfport, Miss., to Madison, Wis.

A new online community where association members connect with prospective clients recently was launched by Association Management Partners & Executive Directors (AMPED) on behalf of its client, the Control System Integrators Association (CSIA).

CSIA, a global trade association for companies that design and implement sophisticated control systems for manufacturing and industrial facilities, created a website two years ago that features content for members and prospective members, plus information directed to members’ prospective clients. The website included a link to an online buyers guide.

While the CSIA website enjoys high search engine rankings, members wanted to take their joint marketing effort to a higher level.

“Our members told us they wanted more dynamic ways to tell their stories and make connections with industry partners and prospective clients,” said Lynda J. Patterson, FASAE, CAE, owner and president of AMPED and president of CSIA. “The Industrial Automation Exchange offers many more features than an online buyers guide, including the ability to display areas of expertise, supplier affiliations and key contact people.”

AMPED conducted an extensive search for a developer to build and host a site that would meet all of the requirements specified by a member task force. A perfect match was found with Diamax, a Washington, D.C.-based software engineering studio and interactive agency that combines creative and technical expertise to produce multichannel communications products and digital solutions for associations and other clients.

“Our technology allows us to create specialized digital communities that connect people who need solutions to people who can provide them through content that answers their questions. When a customer finds the right person, they also find the right company, in this case a control system integrator,” said Derek Rector, president of Diamax. “Ultimately, all B2B commerce is really P2P, or people to people.”

Four levels of profiles
The Exchange displays four levels of profiles – basic, bronze, silver and gold. Nonmembers’ names and addresses will be included in the basic listing. Nonmembers will be able to purchase one of the higher level profiles, however, pricing is structured to motivate nonmembers to join CSIA.

“The Exchange might be a system integrator’s introduction to CSIA, but we will encourage them to join and enjoy all of the association’s benefits, which include best practices for managing a system integration business, a certification program, an annual conference and a members-only social media site,” said Patterson.

The site is integrated with CSIA’s association management software, Avectra netForum, so members’ profiles are prepopulated with demographic information. Members can log in, expand their company profile, add on optional features, preview and check out, using PayPal. Advertising, in the form of tower ads, featured companies and category ads in search results, may be purchased by contacting CSIA.

All current members will receive a bronze-level profile free for the first year. “Having a robust site with many companies featured is critical to the site’s success. We want visitors to bookmark the Exchange and come back frequently,” said Patterson.

Information storehouse serves dual purposes
The Find an Answer section of the site allows Exchange members to present videos, slides, whitepapers and case studies. Plus, visitors and members can ask and answer questions in an online forum.

“Even if a company doesn’t have a lot of whitepapers or case studies, they still have an opportunity to show their expertise by answering questions,” said Eric Huemmer, who joined the AMPED staff in January as exchange community manager.

Furthermore, a large repository of frequently updated information will improve search engine optimization and boost rankings in search results. Amassing a lot of information about control system integration in one location creates a “large footprint” that can actually be found on the web, according to Rector.

“By aggregating our resources as an association, we are going to garner more attention than any one of us can alone,” said PC Romano, president of Avid Solutions and chairman of the CSIA board of directors. “The Exchange has the potential to change the way we market ourselves by creating a dynamic hub where integrators, suppliers and end users meet.”

View the Industrial Automation Exchange or contact AMPED for more information.

Lynda J. Patterson, FASAE, CAE, owner of AMPED and president/CEO of the Wisconsin Society of Association Executives (WSAE), will represent WSAE as one of 20 state societies who will host the American Society of Association Executives' inaugural American Associations Day, March 25-26, 2014 in Washington DC. From Nevada to New York, state societies have joined together with the common goal of supporting the community, and promoting the importance of advocacy on Capitol Hill.

A joint letter states, “As leaders of state associations from across the country, ASAE volunteers, and members of the American Associations Day Host Committee, we have come together with the common goal of advocating for our community.”

Over 100 association professionals from almost 30 states have registered to attend thus far. The main issues to be discussed with congressional offices include government attendance at association meetings, tax reform, and The Power of A. 

Lynda Patterson, FASAE, CAE, president and owner of Association Management Partners & Executive Directors (AMPED) has been named a Guiding Light advisor to the Association Transformation Organizers (ATO). Patterson is one of an esteemed group of sector advisors who deliver energy, wisdom and affirmation to the principal visionaries of ATO, who are themselves leaders in private, public and association sectors. The group strives to guide transformative change that is actionable and builds sustainable success.

ATO is convening a thought leadership think tank of association leaders to develop the agenda for succeeding in the next 5-10 years. The focus will be on the CEO/ED role and what it will take to successfully lead their organization through the changing landscape.

Their research to date has identified several priority issues including:

• Membership – creating more viable models and benefits
• Businification – the adoption of private sector practices
• Talent – the identification, recruiting and development of staff
• Member business disruptions – members themselves are experiencing challenges
• Value generation – understanding how value is created and received in the new market

Read more about Association Transformation Organizers.

Notice anything different? We recently changed our name from Association Management Partners to Association Management Partners & Executive Directors (AMPED).

"It's the same great staff and service," said Owner/President Lynda J. Patterson, FASAE, CAE, “The addition of ‘and Executive Directors’ further distinguishes our firm from other association management companies and reflects the leadership and governance services we provide to our clients."

The firm also introduced a new logo and other corporate identity to reflect the change. AMPED provides association leadership, event planning and management, member communications, public relations, financial management and other management services to multiple national and international trade associations and professional societies from its headquarters in Madison, Wis. Founded in 2008, the firm employs 11 people.

AMPED team member, Jeanne Rosen, was featured in a Wisconsin State Journal article about the development of Lean In Circles in the Madison area. 

Madison women forming 'Lean In' circles to offer career support

Association Management Partners (AMP) announces that Laura (Ritchie) Portz has earned the Certified Association Executive (CAE®) credential from the American Society of Association Executives CAE Commission.

Portz helps associations with membership development and retention, technology tools, meeting planning, and outreach. A Madison, Wis., native, she holds a bachelor’s degree and Masters of Business Administration degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

“Laura provides impeccable member service, creative ideas and leadership to several professional associations,” said Lynda J. Patterson, FASAE, CAE, owner of AMP. “We are very proud of her latest accomplishment!”

The CAE program serves to elevate professional standards, enhance individual performance, and designate those who demonstrate knowledge essential to the practice of association management.

To earn the CAE credential, candidates must first submit an application satisfying professional experience and education requirements. Successful applicants must then pass a challenging examination on all aspects of association management. Candidates undertake rigorous study sessions in preparation for the exam, and only those who are able to achieve the passing score earn the CAE credential. Once earned, the certification must be renewed every three years through additional studies and leadership activities.

About AMP: Association Management Partners provides association leadership, strategic planning, meeting planning and management, member communications, financial management, and public relations services to a variety of trade and professional associations. AMP is located at 22 N. Carroll St., Madison, Wis., 53703, phone (608) 251-5940.

Lynda Patterson featured in InBusiness Madison magazine

The Great Recession and the tepid economy that followed left many companies and organizations looking for any financial edge they could find. That’s no less true among nonprofits and professional and trade associations, which often need to leverage small budgets while staying focused on big missions.

While it’s tempting to say that the recent recession sunk all boats, some associations hoped to gain an edge by calling on association management companies (AMCs) to handle their day-to-day operations.
Indeed, according to a study conducted by LoBlue & Majdalany Management Group, standalone organizations (industry speak for associations that manage their own operations) fared significantly worse than AMC-managed organizations during the recession. According to the study, 66% of AMC-managed organizations operated in the black during 2008, at the height of the recession, while only 47% of standalone organizations did.

Association Management Partners, LLC announces that the firm recently became accredited by the AMC Institute. The accreditation was granted following an in-depth, third-party audit of the firm’s management and operations.

AMP, owned by Lynda J. Patterson, FASAE, CAE, provides association leadership, event planning and management, member communications, public relations, financial management and other management services to multiple national and international trade associations and professional societies from its headquarters in Madison, Wis. Founded in 2008, the firm employs 10 people.

Of the more than 500 association management companies (AMCs) worldwide, AMP is one of just 70 firms that have achieved this prestigious accreditation, demonstrating that they operate with the highest level of professionalism and responsibility, and consistently meet or exceed industry standards.

Lynda Patterson and AMP featured in Wisconsin State Journal business column

Lynda Patterson runs her home the same way she runs her businesses. “We have a household manual,” said Patterson, executive director of the Wisconsin Society of Association Executives and owner of Association Management Partners. “We’ve had au pairs living with us up until last fall, so the household manual goes over the philosophy of our family: what things are important to us, what things aren’t as important to us, the values we live by.”

She and her husband, TJ, have four young children. “There are a few things that are very important to us: reading every night, getting enough sleep, eating a relatively healthy diet, going to church, being respectful of one another.”

Lynda J. Patterson, MS, CAE, president and owner of Association Management Partners, LLC, has been named a 2010 Fellow to the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) and The Center for Association Leadership. Patterson is one of only five association executives nationwide to be honored in 2010.

"Fellows are identified by their demonstration of continual leadership, emotional intelligence and visionary and strategic thinking, as well as having earned certification in our industry. The selection committee agrees that these new Fellows exemplify these attributes," said R. Norris Orms, FACHE, CAE, chair of ASAE and The Center's Fellows Selection Committee.