Forging Strategic Partnerships to Build Healthy Organizations

Founded on the philosophy that management expertise drives growth for organizations and helps build sustained success, AMG has been delivering business and management solutions to a diverse group of clients for more than 23 years. Our relationships, rather than merely client and vendor, represent partnerships formed in strategic alliance with organizations and with a dedication to achieve and exceed expectations.

AMG is one of the top five association management companies in the country because of the clients we serve, the people we deliver, and the reputation and relationships we have built on superior management service. Businesses, particularly in the service industry, experience a regular ebb and flow in clients. This year with the addition of several new partners and the departure of others, AMG is no exception.

Faces may change but our commitment to excellence remains the same as AMG proudly welcomes the Tortilla Industry Association (TIA) and the American Association of Woodturners. I also am particularly pleased to announce our renewed partnership with the American Ambulance Association as AMG continues to serve the organization as a trusted management provider and advisor for another four years. We anticipate the addition of more partners in the coming months and I look forward to welcoming them and introducing them in upcoming issues.

Fall is the season of change and at AMG that means new partners. Clients will reap the rewards of an exciting new technology with the introduction of our Euclid ClearVantage AMS solution. AMG also has a new look with the re-design of our Web site and branding materials and the re-launch of our communications marketing group. It is also a busy time for our partner clients with many conferences, educational programs and exhibitions planned at this time of year.

It has been exciting for me to travel to most of our clients’ events, meeting with members and leaders, reconfirming the priorities and goals you have set for your organizations and participating in the growth of your industries. I look forward to a busy end to a wonderful year with our clients and appreciate the opportunity to serve you. [contents]

When it comes to philanthropic involvement, the staff at AMG (Association Management Group, Inc.) is first in line. We have always been ready to support a deserving cause.

AMG’s staff again rose to the occasion last month after Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast States. Donations of clothing and toiletries poured in from staffers generously giving what they could. Staff members donated money for the privilege of foregoing AMG’s standard dress code and wearing jeans into the office on a Friday in September.

Not only did individual AMG staff members help in the Katrina Relief efforts, but AMG’s client associations have also taken steps to assist where they could.

THE AMERICAN AMBULANCE ASSOCIATION (AAA) assisted FEMA with a national response for ambulances and personnel. AAA helped mobilize over 450 ambulances to assist in support of the decimated region. They also included a page on their website (www.the-aaa.org) with information for those wishing to contribute to the Katrina relief efforts.

THE BOARD OF POLYSOMNOGRAPHIC TECHNOLOGISTS (BRPT) announced several initiatives in the wake of Hurricane Katrina to aid those in the sleep community who have been affected by the hurricane.

BRPT is joining with the American Sleep Medicine Foundation (ASMF) in supporting their Hurricane Disaster Relief Fund. This fund will offer assistance to sleep centers in the affected areas in rebuilding efforts, which will ultimately assist all workers and patients in those centers. The fund will also support other ongoing disaster relief efforts in the region. 100% of the contributions to the ASMF will go directly to offering support for colleagues as well as other relief and rebuilding efforts. More information about the Hurricane Disaster Relief Fund can be found on the BRPT website, www.brpt.org.

Though not affiliated directly with BRPT, many certificates and other sleep techs will also want to know of "Operation Sleep Community Katrina Relief," at www.sleeptech.info, an informal, forum-based support group. The secure web site will facilitate communications about missing persons, how and where to send assistance directly to those negatively affected, as well as job opportunities for those displaced.

THE CONVENTION INDUSTRY COUNCIL (CIC) is working with its members to assist the destinations affected by Hurricane Katrina and their meeting, convention, and exhibition customers. CIC has established a page on their website (www.conventionindustry.org) with links and information regarding rescheduling or relocating events which were set in venues within the devastated areas. This page includes links to CVBs in the impacted area and links to other Industry organizations’ websites for access to information regarding their efforts.

HOSPITALITY SALES AND MARKETING INTERNATIONAL (HSMAI) announced major initiatives that will position HSMAI as a leader in providing information and education, membership relevance and, for the first time, direct funding to assist with the relief efforts.

• In-Depth Hurricane/Disaster Recovery Resource Center on the HSMAI Foundation eConnect Web site.
• Extension of membership to all Gulf South HSMAI chapter members.
• Creation of the HSMAI Foundation Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund. HSMAI will conduct fundraisers at all 13 events taking place between September and December – this began with a fundraiser at Affordable Meetings National in Washington, DC, on September 6 and 7. HSMAI will match all donations up to $25,000, with donations going to the American Red Cross, earmarked for 2005 Hurricane Relief. Information on individual donations will be available shortly.

This plan has also been reviewed with the HSMAI Foundation chair, Richard Chambers. The Foundation will channel the fundraising effort so that individual donations may be tax deductible.

THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MORTGAGE BROKERS (NAMB) has established The NAMB Hurricane Relief Fund to provide financial assistance to NAMB members who have experienced extreme loss from the devastating impact of Hurricane Katrina. NAMB Board Member, Marc Savitt, made a trip to Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana carrying boxes and bags of donated clothing brought in by AMG staff members

THE RETAIL BAKERS OF AMERICA (RBA) had a number of their members impacted by Hurricane Katrina, which struck the Deep South Retail Bakers Association (DSRBA). Bernard Reynolds, RBA Executive Vice President, said DSRBA reported at least 44 bakeries in Louisiana and Mississippi sustained heavy damage. Information and updates on the status of members who have been hit by Katrina on the RBA website (www.rbanet.com). RBA is also in the process of establishing an “equipment exchange,” where members impacted by Katrina can match needs with donated equipment.

RBA provided the addresses and telephone number for all bakeries in Louisiana and Mississippi to Industry suppliers, who sent trucks of ingredients direct from regional warehouses. [contents]

AMG is pleased to welcome the following new employees:

• Michelle Bell, Account Director, Communications Marketing Group
• Bob Conrad, Senior Media Relations Director, Communications Marketing Group
• Laura Hampton, Account Executive, Communications Marketing Group
• Jamie Bishop, Account Coordinator, Communications Marketing Group
• Erika Lewis, Graphic Designer, Association Management Group
• Mary Higgins, Manager of Member Services, Retail Bakers of America
• Larry Peacock, Membership Services Coordinator, American Ambulance Association
• Mark Cornish, Manager, Membership Development & Special Projects, HSMAI
• Stella Parra, General Administrative Support, Association Management Group
• Jolie Patterson, Receptionist, Association Management Group

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AMG Forms Community Outreach Team
Did you know AMG has formed a Community Outreach Team? The purpose of the team is to find ways AMG and its employees can get involved and make an impact in our local community. In addition, the team will strive to strengthen community within AMG by planning team-oriented events, fundraisers, and hands-on activities.

Our first project was a great success. As a staff we donated approximately 20 large bags and boxes of supplies to hurricane victims. In addition, AMG staffers contributed over $800 to the Hurricane Katrina Red Cross Relief Fund by wearing jeans to work on Friday, September 9. This was generously matched by AMG for a total contribution of $1,600.

AMG’s Creative Design Team Wins Two Standard of Excellence Website Awards!

Teresa Gutsick of AMG's Creative Design department, along with CMG, was recently awarded two Standard of Excellence WebAwards in the 2005 WebAward Competition for the Deafness Research Foundation's website and for the Hearing Health magazine site. The WebAward Competition is conducted annually by the Web Marketing Association. More than 2,100 sites from 33 countries were adjudicated in 95 industry categories during this year's competition. Entries were judged on design, copy writing, innovation, content, interactivity, navigation and use of technology. A complete list of the winning sites can be found at the WebAward Web site at www.WebAward.org

HSMAI & AMG Make World Quest Second to None
International meetings and conferences are among the fastest growing segments in the meetings industry, but they can be challenging to meeting planners and require a new set of management tools to prepare planners for success. Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) and Association Management Group (AMG) partnered in creating a series of one-day education programs specifically designed for planners of meetings outside continental U.S. More than 230 meeting planners attended one of the three-city tour programs July 22-29, 2005, in Washington, DC, New York and Chicago where meeting planners were provided insight into topics from proper protocol and worldwide shipping and customs regulations to limiting U.S. Dollar fluctuation and the reimbursement of Value Added Tax.

“We are once again very pleased at both the turnout and the professionalism displayed by participants that gathered in each of the three cities in this second annual World Quest event,” said Fran Brasseux, Executive Vice President of HSMAI, who moderated all three events. “The attendees were thoroughly engaged throughout the program with the excellent speakers and the interactive roundtable discussions. Many said they enjoyed being part of a network of planners involved in this expanding corner of meeting planning.”

“In general, we are seeing an increase in the number of overall meetings held in 2005,” said Betsy Bair, Editorial Director, The Meetings Group, Primedia Business & Media. “Surveys point to a second year of sustained growth of international meetings with U.S. planners taking 23% of all ‘05 meetings outside the U.S., up one percent from 2004,” she added. Ms. Blair is the director of a publishing company, which produces multiple magazine titles in the field of meeting planning.

“AMG intends to continue to support our client, HSMAI, in producing these unique and valuable programs in 2006,” said W. Bruce Wardle, CAE, President of AMG. “In fact, World Quest will be delivered in five cities in 2006 as part of our expansion of this valuable international planning learning event.” [contents]

President, World Airline Entertainment Association (WAEA)
Maver Mayuga, Philippine Airlines
Maver Mayuga was elected to the World Airline Entertainment Association Board of Directors in 2003. She does product research and development for Philippine Airlines.

1. What do you find most rewarding about serving as a leader of an international association?
As the newly elected President of the World Airline Entertainment Association (WAEA), I have a personal mandate to effectively implement the plans and programs of the association through the collective efforts of the WAEA Executive Committee, Directors, Committees and professional staff. As the former chair of the Member Needs Assessment Task Force, I’ve ensured that the board, the committees, and the staff are aware of what the members expect of us. The challenge and the reward is to deliver!

2. How does WAEA achieve its strategic goals?
The WAEA is the repository of everything about in-flight entertainment and communications. Our strategic plan, goals and objectives are aimed at providing initiatives, managing costs, and defining the issues that affect the industry as a whole. The association attempts to provide the best solutions to resolve these issues with the ultimate aim being delivery of the best in-flight entertainment and communications programs to the traveling public.

3. How do you think your role is helped by working with AMG?
AMG provides dedicated and shared staff to ensure that our plans are carried out properly and successfully implemented in collaboration with the various committees formed by the association. We view AMG as a full partner in achieving the goals and objectives that we have set for the association.

4. If you could offer other association leaders one piece of advice, what would it be?
An association, I believe, is founded by and composed of people who have a great love for their craft. They gather together to discuss the issues and align activities to strengthen the value of their product. Most of the leaders of an association have the same dedication as the founding members and they are the next ‘generation’ that continues to attain the vision and mission of the organization, fine-tuning it when necessary. An association without dedicated leaders and members will find it difficult to move its mission and vision forward. Openness and understanding between leaders and members are major factors to attain the success for each and every endeavor that an association is aiming to achieve. This is the culture that we are setting at the WAEA. We are fortunate, as well, that the members share with the elected and volunteer leadership the same strong beliefs. [contents]