ASSOCIATION MANAGEMENT IS OUR PASSION

Founded in 2006, Association Acumen is an association management company that offers a full range of professional services for state, national and international associations. We are committed to advancing our clients’ missions by maximizing purpose, people and processes.

Since 2006:

• Acumen has managed over twenty clients: national, international, state – medical and trade.
• Acumen has doubled our staff more than 8 times.
• Acumen has guided client growth and explored new directions.
• We’ve retained knowledgeable, professional staff. Momentum is created when a team of talented people work toward a common goal.
• We moved to a larger suite of offices that features two levels, with private offices, a library and large conference rooms suitable for board and committee meetings. Client growth and acquisition were the primary reasons behind the move.

Since 2009, Association Acumen has been accredited and continuously re-accredited by the prestigious Association Management Company Institute. Accreditation signifies the use of best practices and the ability for an association management company to consistently deliver service excellence. Of the 500 plus association management companies, only 17% have been accredited and Association Acumen is very proud of this special distinction.

Association Acumen was named to the 2015 Future 50 company list by the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC). The program recognizes companies in the Milwaukee area that have shown strong and consistent growth.

Gail Bast, Founder

Gail Bast, MBA, CAE, Founder of Association Acumen, received the 2017 Hall of Fame award from the Wisconsin Society of Association Executives.

“Associations contribute greatly to their professions, industries, health care, the economy and society!” Gail Bast, Association Acumen’s Founder, said. “We host board meetings, CEO/leader summits and strategic planning sessions that strengthens our client partnerships. We invite all of our boards to visit their headquarters office and we know they’ll be proud of what they see. As an accredited AMC, we are committed to best practices and a continued investment in growth, strong technology systems, service excellence and innovation. We are proud to serve the association community for many more years to come,” Bast said.

Betsy Smith, President

Betsy Smith, CPA, MST was appointed President of Association Acumen in 2017 and continues to lead the team.

“I strive to promote the company’s values and partner with client boards to advance their missions and guide their organizational evolution to the next level. We’re well positioned for strong Acumen and client strategic growth and I’m enthusiastic about the opportunities ahead,” Smith said.

Acumen & team members have also received awards from:

• Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce
• Meeting Professionals International
• Public Relations Society of America
• National Auctioneer’s Association
• Automotive Fleet and Leasing Association
• Convention Industry Council
• Wisconsin Society of Association Executives
• APEX Communications Concepts for Publishing Excellence
• Association Management Company Institute for Best Screenplay, Day in the Life Video

Let us help you grow your organization and guide its evolution. We invite you to contact us to request more information about how to select an association management company.