AMCI 2025 Year-in-Review: A Year of Growth, Momentum & Member Impact

Celebrating the achievements that strengthened our community and advanced the AMC model

We have closed out 2025 and are looking ahead to an exciting 2026, AMCI is proud to reflect on a year marked by growth, innovation, and meaningful progress across every part of the Institute. From record‑setting membership engagement to significant advances in professional development, accreditation, and marketing, 2025 demonstrated the strength and momentum of the AMC community. None of this would have been possible without the passion and dedication of our member volunteers, whose partnership with the AMCI team continues to propel us toward our 50 x 50 strategic goal. We are deeply grateful for all you do to support AMCI and our community.

Below are the standout achievements that shaped our year.

Operations & Financial Strength

• Month after month, AMCI reported stable, healthy financials, keeping the Institute well‑positioned for strategic investment to amplify our visibility to associations.
• Investments and budget performance exceeded expectations, positioning AMCI for continued strategic growth in 2026.

Membership Growth & Retention

2025 was a standout year for membership:

• 24 new AMCs joined in 2025.
• Renewals outpaced previous years, with early renewal revenue significantly exceeding 2025 benchmarks.
• Several former members renewed, underscoring the ongoing value and relevance of AMCI membership.
• The year closed with strong momentum heading into 2026, including three new members already secured for the new year.

Accreditation Milestones

Accreditation achieved major progress in 2025:

• Four member firms earned accreditation, demonstrating their drive to elevate industry’s best practices and deliver exceptional value to their association clients.
• Five new firms entered the accreditation pipeline, with several expected to complete reviews in early 2026.
• The Accreditation Review Board completed its first‑ever formal complaint review, marking a significant milestone that strengthens our processes and further elevates the integrity of AMCI’s standards.

Professional Advancement & Credentialing

2025 marked significant advancement in AMC career development:

• Strong participation across EduSeries sessions, roundtables, and virtual AMCs by Size, with many sessions drawing 60 attendees on average.
• The AMC‑P Credential micro‑committee made substantial progress, finalizing guidebooks, eLearning modules, and exam components in preparation for a soft launch at the 2026 Annual Meeting.
• The AMC Career Pathways strategy gained traction, supported by new marketing assets and active committee engagement.

Meetings & Events: High Engagement Across the AMC Community

AMCI events flourished in 2025:

• The Annual Meeting in Tampa welcomed 261 attendees, while AMCs Engaged drew 167 participants, surpassing goals and delivering some of the highest‑rated sessions of the year.
• The Regional Meeting in Indianapolis brought together 62 AMC executives and professionals from 22 AMCs. These attendance results demonstrate AMCs’ dedication to deepening team development as their client portfolios continue to grow.

• AMCI’s impact at IMEX Frankfurt and IMEX America surged this year, drawing 40 hosted buyers, filling education sessions to standing‑room‑only capacity, and significantly boosting visibility for the AMC community.
• Planning for the 2026 Annual Meeting in Spokane wrapped up with robust content development, strong partner support, a dynamic new EOS workshop, and standout social programming—including the Roaring 20s celebration at the Fox Theater.

Marketing & Industry Visibility

AMCI’s marketing and visibility efforts delivered exceptional results:

• Digital marketing campaigns surged in 2025, with BeautifulBeast campaigns outperforming benchmarks—nearly 74,000 page views (up 33%) and 126,000+ new users (up 38%). Interest from associations exploring the AMC model continues to grow showing a heightened interest in the AMC model.
• Eight new case studies strengthened AMCI’s storytelling, supported by new videos, integrated ads, and strong member participation.
• Navigate Strategies advanced key internal initiatives, including the Trusted Advisor campaign, Strategic Plan communications, and Annual Meeting creative.
• AMCI’s presence at ASAE events, industry forums, and participation in the Community Impact Coalition reinforced the Institute’s leadership and visibility across the association sector.

Community Engagement & Volunteerism

• Committee applications surged again this year, with 80 applicants showcasing exceptional commitment, energy, and passion for elevating the AMCI experience.
• Committees and task forces—from Professional Advancement to Content Curation to Accreditation—produced high‑impact results that are advancing AMCI’s 50 x 50 strategic vision and highlighting the exceptional passion and engagement of our members.

Looking Ahead to 2026

As we move into 2026, AMCI’s Board, committees, and staff are focused on delivering even greater value to our members. Several major initiatives are already underway:

• Updated Benchmark Report: A refreshed and expanded benchmarking study will provide AMCs with critical data to guide decision‑making, growth strategies, and operational excellence.
• Expanded Social Media Strategy: New campaigns will help educate associations about the value of partnering with AMCs, strengthening awareness of the model across the broader nonprofit sector.
• Awards & Recognition Program: This year marks the launch of an enhanced recognition program celebrating outstanding AMC professionals, culminating at the Awards of Excellence celebration in Milwaukee during AMCs Engaged this summer.
• Strategic Plan Communications: Members will see more frequent and transparent updates on progress toward AMCI’s strategic priorities, ensuring alignment and shared momentum.
• Regional Meeting Expansion: Planning is underway for another regional meeting designed to bring high‑impact education and networking closer to members across the country.
• The debut of the AMC‑P Credential will elevate professional standards across the industry.

Together, these initiatives underscore our deep commitment to strengthening the AMC model, supporting our members, and advancing the profession. With the foundation built in 2025 and ambitious work ahead in 2026, AMCI is well‑positioned for another year of significant progress and impact. Thank you again to everyone whose dedication made these achievements possible.

Tina Wehmeir, CMP-Fellow, CAE

President & CEO

AMC Institute