ASCENT Meetings

		Administrative & Association Management ASCENT Meetings & Management is a consulting firm that provides customized project, administrative and event management services for corporations, small businesses, trade associations and professional organizations. We are experienced association and administrative managers who know what it takes to achieve results. Our specialists can handle every aspect of your project from start to finish. With more than 20 years of experience in managing associations, we know how to maximize your resources to provide the best possible service for your members and customers. Our attention to detail and thoughtful planning system will make sure your projects are managed smoothly and professionally -- on time and on budget. Let ASCENT put its expertise to work for you. Our services are available on an à la carte, hourly or project basis. We will guide you through the process to determine exactly what you need and will implement our services to complement your efforts. We are flexible and can tailor our services to suit your specific requirements. Learn how our services can complement your programs. For a free consultation, please contact Steffani Blackstock, CMP by email or call 720.940.4880.
		*What is an Association Management Company* ? AMCs are for-profit entities that specialize in operating your not-for-profit trade association or professional society like a business. AMCs have established relationships, experienced professionals and qualified suppliers that can be applied to help your organization grow and thrive. AMCs are dedicated to serving their association clients with the best possible service tailored to meet the administrative and budgetary requirements of your organization. When the organization’s needs change, the AMC often has established relationships and resources in place to adjust and flex to suit the organization. AMCs typically require a service agreement that will detail the services to be performed on a monthly, annual or project basis. Some companies may broker multi-year agreements and consider incentive options as an alternative or in addition to the negotiated service fee.
		*Perceptions and Misconceptions* Members who participate in their associations could be considered as the “cream of the crop” within their respective industries or professions – they are leaders who are actively involved in their careers and equally engaged with personal activities. While committed to their professions, these volunteers often do not have the time nor the range of expertise to do what it takes to handle the day-to-day tasks of running an association. The common misconception about association work is the amount of time required to perform the general functions of running an organization. Seemingly simple functions such as responding to communications or updating a database often require an established system, careful thought and advance planning to achieve the intended result with the minimal investment of resources.
		*Association Service Centers* Your AMC may operate as a service center for the following functions: Communications center – headquarters for primary and consistent communications such as mail, telephone, fax, email and web site Leadership center – advise and guide association leaders to establish and achieve long and short-term goals for the organization Financial service center – collecting, tracking and monitoring funds for association activities, memberships; managing financial accounts, etc. Operations center – coordinates essential functions required by the association on a daily, weekly, monthly and annual basis such as member benefit programs, committee liaison, member recruitment and retention, newsletters, etc. Data center – maintain the organization’s database of members and other constituents to ensure data accuracy and frequent updates Conference management center – provides professional expertise to manage association conferences, exhibitions, fundraising and other special events Education center – develops and manages education and training programs for association members Registration center – tracks and manages event registration, membership and certification functions Advocacy center – provides expertise and resources for regulatory affairs and governmental relations
		*About Meetings* Never underestimate the consequences of a poorly organized meeting. Associations are important for helping your members to gain their professional identity. Education programs and conferences are also a vital source of non-dues revenue. Therefore it is important that these meetings, conferences and other functions be well coordinated and managed to ensure the best possible impact for your current and potential members. AMCs can assist by providing a variety of event management services – from program development, marketing and promotion, registration and on-site management, to post-event wrap-up. These services may be provided as part of the service agreement or contracted on a project basis. In many case, the costs for AMC services can be built into the event budget or registration fees to ensure cost coverage.
		About Ascent Meetings & Management ASCENT Meetings & Management provides customized services for trade associations, professional societies, corporations and small businesses. We can provide anything and everything your organization needs to operate successfully – and offer competitive prices to ensure your association doesn’t go broke in the process. Considering an AMC for your organization? Ask if your organization and members can benefit from: Centralized association office and communications center Centralized database management Centralized bookkeeping support Centralized registration for association events Consistent communications through phone, fax, email and web Leadership support, advice and consultation Professional coordination of association meetings and conference Membership development campaigns Career center and job opportunities Benchmarking and statistical surveys A resource for connecting with other qualified professionals that serve associations These services may not cost as much as you think. Let us know more about your organization.
		ASCENT Meetings & Management P.O. Box 632167, Highlands Ranch, Colorado 80163-2167 U.S.A. © 2003-2007, Blackstock Consulting, Inc. All rights reserved.