Innovation, Connection, and Growth: Highlights from the 2025 AMCI Annual Meeting

Each year, the AMC Institute Annual Meeting serves as a key touchpoint for leaders in association management to connect, reflect, and recharge. AMC Source Co-Presidents, Debra S. Nolan, CAE, IOM, and Gregory Brooks, attended the 2025 AMCI Annual Meeting in Tampa, Florida, where they engaged in vital conversations shaping the future of the industry.

The event offered a full slate of educational sessions, roundtable discussions, and legal forums that touched on timely themes such as:

• Strategic foresight vs. tactical execution

• Harnessing AI and managing disruption for sustainable growth

• Client success and revenue strategies through philanthropy, grants, and creative staffing models

• Leadership development through inclusive and adaptive styles

• Tax reform implications for AMCs

Brooks and Nolan also participated in accreditation committee meetings and subcommittees, supporting the development of resources like the upcoming Accreditation Preparation Video and helping guide prospective AMCs through the peer-led accreditation process.

Beyond the formal sessions, a standout value of the conference was peer connection—both reconnecting with established AMC leaders and forming new relationships. Thoughtful discussions around scope creep, staffing, and client relationships highlighted the shared challenges and creative solutions that define today’s AMC environment.

Legal topics took center stage in the AMCI Legal Forum, where sessions covered everything from independent contractor guidelines and client contracts to AI, DEI, and records management. These insights directly impact how AMCs like ours evolve with regulatory shifts and strengthen operational integrity.

During business development workshops and HIIT sessions, attendees explored benchmarks, growth goals, and marketing strategies like the AIDA model (Awareness, Interest, Desire, Action). A key takeaway? Success during the prospecting process isn’t just about strategy—it’s about fit, listening well, and building trust with prospective clients.

“The AMCI Annual Meeting underscores the collective strength of our organizations,” emphasized Brooks. “We are a community of visionary strategists and problem solvers collaborating to elevate the entire AMC model. Our collective efforts empower our association clients to attain their mission, vision, and objectives. We are honored to be an integral component of this endeavor.”

At AMC Source, we’re committed to applying what we learn to empower our clients—helping associations grow stronger, smarter, and more sustainable.