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SmithBucklin Adds 24 New Client Organizations in 2005
Expanded Resources and Programs Drive Growth and Help Client Organizations — and Company — Reach New Milestones
CHICAGO - January 19, 2006 – SmithBucklin, the world's largest association management company with offices in Chicago, Washington, DC, St. Louis and Durham, NC, announced today that the company added 24 new client organizations in 2005. Of these new clients, which represent a wide range of business trade, health care and technology organizations, 10 selected SmithBucklin for full-service management. In addition, SmithBucklin's subsidiary Courtesy Associates added 17 new government, association, academic and corporate clients.
"The success of our clients is, of course, one of the most significant catalysts behind our own growth," said SmithBucklin Chairman and CEO Henry S. Givray. "In turn, this dynamic enables us to reinvest in industry-leading programs, resources and technologies that help our clients - and our people - continue to grow and reach new levels."
Of the 24 new client organizations that joined the company in 2005, the following selected SmithBucklin for full-service management:
- Academy of Dispensing Audiologists® (ADA)
- Class Ring Marketing Council (CRC)
- Digital Solutions Cooperative (Dscoop)
- Health Industry Group Purchasing Association (HIGPA)
- International Society for the Study of Xenobiotics (ISSX)
- National Association Medical Staff Services (NAMSS)
- National Child Care Association (NCCA)
- National Fastener Distributors Association (NFDA)
- National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC)
- SSA Global Users-North America (SSAU)
Milestones & Awards
In June 2005, SmithBucklin achieved its most important milestone - the establishment of an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) and transfer of ownership from financial investors to SmithBucklin employees. As a result of this transaction, SmithBucklin employees today own 100 percent of the company's stock.
According to Givray, SmithBucklin's management team strongly felt that employees should control the destiny of the company and, as importantly, have the opportunity to experience the fulfillment of ownership. "The ESOP represents the realization of a dream for our people that is directly in line with the goals of our client organizations," said Givray. "After all, SmithBucklin's success can only be achieved through the success of our client organizations. Their continued faith in, and partnership with, SmithBucklin truly made our ESOP possible."
Spirit of Hospitality Award
In addition, SmithBucklin was selected in 2005 by the Destination Marketing Association International Foundation to receive its prestigious 2006 Spirit of Hospitality Award, one of the highest honors in the hospitality industry. In February, the company will formally receive the award, which recognizes SmithBucklin's significant contributions to the travel, tourism and meetings industry, as well as exemplary commitment to the growth of the hospitality industry and its influence.
Volunteer-Leader Educational Programs
SmithBucklin's popular volunteer-leader educational programs were expanded and enhanced in 2005. The company's Partners in Leadership Workshop, Technology Leadership Forum and Health Care Leadership Forum were each held in both Chicago and Washington, DC. In response to client requests, SmithBucklin also held its first-ever Business Trade Leadership Forum.
As a result of increased client interest and demand, these educational programs reached several milestones in 2005. The Partners in Leadership Workshops marked the participation of the 100th incoming client chief elected officer, and the Leadership Forums were attended by a record 60 client leaders from the health care, technology and business trade industries. In addition, 24 business industry leaders attended the company's first-ever Business Trade Leadership Forum.
New Executives Join SmithBucklin
SmithBucklin also announced the addition of a number of key executives in 2005:
- Kaye Englebrecht, CAE, joined SmithBucklin as the executive director of the National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses, a non-profit, volunteer-governed organization with a membership of more than 7,000 registered and licensed practical and vocational nurses, student nurses and associate members worldwide.
- Stephen Hartley joined SmithBucklin as the executive director of the National Association Medical Staff Services, an international organization for the career development of medical staff services and provider credentialing specialists in the health care industry.
- Dawn Hatzer joined SmithBucklin as the executive director of the National Child Care Association, the only national association serving the private, licensed childhood care and education community.
- Kelly Hensen rejoined the SmithBucklin team as director of client strategy in the company's Information Technology Services unit. She partners with SmithBucklin client organizations - particularly Americas' SAP Users' Group - to develop technology strategies that will support their goals and help drive growth.
- Ellen Moore joined SmithBucklin as vice president of Education & Program Services and is responsible for developing education strategies for SmithBucklin's client organizations. She also oversees the operational aspects of all client educational initiatives, including credentialing/certification, on demand and eLearning, and convention- and event-based programs.
- Michael Smith joined SmithBucklin as vice president of finance. He is responsible for oversight of the company's financial management, accounting, treasury and banking relations.
- Don Wallner joined SmithBucklin as a director in human resources and is responsible for staffing, employee relations and performance management at the company.
- Toni Wirtz joined SmithBucklin as senior vice president of human resources. She provides strategic and operational leadership for all human resources functions at the company.
The William E. Smith Institute for Association Research
In January, the William E. Smith Institute unveiled the final report of its first research project selected for funding. Titled Generations and the Future of Association Participation, the research project led by Dr. Arthur C. Brooks examined the question of whether or not Generation X and Y workers represent a danger for the future membership ranks of trade associations, professional societies and other business-volunteer-governed organizations. The report is available free-of-charge to all members of the association community and can be obtained at www.smithinstitute.org. Additional key developments in 2005 include:
- New Research Director Appointed
Dr. Arthur C. Brooks assumed the position of research director of the William E. Smith Institute, as well that of ex-officio member of the William E. Smith Institute's Leadership Council. As research director, Dr. Brooks is responsible for overseeing all William E. Smith Institute projects and for ensuring the integrity of the underlying research processes. Dr. Brooks will also continue in his current position as associate professor of Public Administration and director of the Nonprofit Studies Program at Syracuse University's Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.
- Strategic Partnership Formed
The Institute created a partnership with the Nonprofit Studies Program at Syracuse University's Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. Ranked the number one graduate school for public affairs by U.S. News & World Report in 2004, the Maxwell School has topped all four U.S. News public affairs listings that have been published to date. The Maxwell School's Nonprofit Studies Program will assist the Institute by sponsoring research, partnering with other academic institutions to complete research and helping to facilitate the process of getting other schools to take on independent projects.
- New Leadership Council Member Appointed
Sherry Keramidas, Ph.D., CAE, joined the William E. Smith Institute's Leadership Council. Dr. Keramidas is currently the executive director of the Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society (RAPS), the foremost worldwide member organization creating and upholding standards of ethics, credentialing and education for the regulatory affairs profession within the health product sector. Prior to joining RAPS in 1996, Dr. Keramidas served as executive director of the American College of Dentists and associate executive vice president of the American Physical Therapy Association.
"This was a tremendous year for our clients and our people, and we plan to further drive growth and deliver increased value to our clients in 2006," said Givray. "By working hard to provide superior service and guidance, and remaining dedicated to the development and enhancement of cutting-edge programs and resources, we hope to again exceed our clients' goals, as well as our own."
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About SmithBucklin
SmithBucklin is the world's largest association management and professional services company providing flexible, tailored full-service management and function/project-specific services to more than 210 trade associations, professional societies, technology user groups and government institutes/agencies. SmithBucklin's mission is to drive growth and build sustained competitiveness for client organizations. Founded in 1949, the company employs 630 professionals specializing in all phases of association activity, including executive management, member and chapter administration, convention and trade show management, marketing and branding, Web services, education and programs, government relations and financial management. SmithBucklin manages more than $200 million in annual client budgets from offices in Chicago, Washington, DC, St. Louis and Durham, NC. For more information, please visit www.smithbucklin.com or call 1.800.539.9740.
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