We are people people.

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.