Build lifelong partnerships that advance your mission and increase your membership.

You didn’t join your association’s leadership to worry about database glitches, hotel contracts or tax filings. You stepped up to advance a mission.

But the “business” of running an association often gets in the way of that mission. You feel the strain of headaches that hold your organization back: stalled growth, burnout, operational drag. 

CM Services changes the game. For nearly 50 years, we’ve believed an association management company (AMC) shouldn’t be just an administrator who checks boxes. We should be a partner who shares your vision and helps achieve your mission. 

That’s why our mission is to advance yours.

You gain more than staff when you partner with us. We provide industry expertise, guidance, stability and resources so your volunteer leaders can stop worrying and start leading the industry.

Why Associations Nationwide Trust Us

Associations partner with us because we combine the personal touch of a family-owned business with a full-service firm’s professional capacity.

The Head Coach Approach

We don’t just take orders; we provide direction. Like a head coach, we help your board see the field, anticipate challenges and execute a winning strategy using our proven processes.

Generational Stability

Founded in 1977 by Dick and Jeri Church, we offer decades of institutional memory. In an industry where staff turnover is a constant risk, we provide a stable, long-term foundation for your association.

Flexible Engagement Models

Whether you need a holistic headquarters or contracted support for a single project, we adapt to you. We fit your budget, not the other way around.

AMC Institute Accreditation

We are Charter Accredited by the AMC Institute, ensuring you get verified and reliable association management services.

We Help Associations Solve Real Problems

Leading an association is complex. Technology moves fast, and member expectations move faster. CM Services removes the operational hurdles that slow you down.

No matter your industry, the same problems arise:

  • Rising costs. Overhead eats into your budget.
  • Distracted leaders. Volunteers get pulled into the weeds.
  • Fragility. Key-person risk threatens operations.
  • Financial risk. Oversight feels overwhelming.
  • Stagnation. Membership growth stalls.

Challenges for Trade Associations and Industry Groups

Your members need a unified voice, but roadblocks get in the way:

  • Consensus building. We help you manage the diverse needs of industry giants and small businesses alike so your organization achieves consensus on all issues.
  • Proven ROI. We measure the results of implementing your strategic plan, then report them clearly to the board and members.
  • Advocacy. We digest complex legislation and regulations fast and distribute that info quicker than a volunteer board can alone.
  • Certification and standards. We handle the logistics of exam management and accreditation. This keeps your industry standards high.
  • Volunteer burnout. We stop administrative scope creep. Your president-elect shouldn’t be reconciling QuickBooks at midnight.

Volunteer leaders are exactly that: passionate volunteers. CM Services handles HR, admin, management, programming and more. You focus on strategy.

The Association Management Services We Offer

We offer a full suite of services designed to professionalize your operations and enhance member value:

We’re with you every step of the way. When we speak with and learn what your association needs, we implement it alongside you.

Who We Serve: Association Types and Roles

We partner with organizations ready to embrace best practices, and we support the specific people who lead them.

These are the organization types we manage:

  • Trade associations. We create long-term partnerships with national and international trade associations of manufacturers, distributors or contractors.
  • Industry groups and coalitions. We manage alliances focused on industry-wide advocacy, legislative action and regulatory standards.

Your role in your association gets the support you need:

  • Board directors. We provide the SMART goals and financial dashboards you need to govern effectively without getting lost in the noise.
  • Committee chairs. We own agendas, minutes and scheduling so you can zero in on the committee’s content and output.
  • Executive directors. We provide the back-office team you need to execute your vision without the overhead and liability of full-time hires.

We pride ourselves on our flexibility. Let us know your role, your industry and your association type, and we’ll help your team work efficiently and effectively.

What Makes CM Services Different?

Our approach is rooted in a proven methodology that transforms survival mode into strategic growth.

The 7-Step Partnership Process

From the initial proposal to the annual evaluation, we use a structured roadmap to align our operations with your strategic goals. We don’t guess; we plan.

Our 90-Day Satisfaction Guarantee

If you aren’t satisfied within the first 90 days, we’ll assist you in finding the right fit and assist in your transition. We’re confident in our value.

AMC Institute Accreditation

As an AMCI-Charter Accredited AMC, our internal controls and financial processes are independently audited. You get the assurance that comes with industry-standard compliance.

Shared Resources Efficiency

We share office space, technology and specialized staff (like marketing and finance experts) across multiple client partners. You get C-suite talent for a fraction of the cost of hiring full-time.

CM Services at a Glance

  • Founded: 1977 by Dick and Jerri Church
  • Leadership: Family-owned and operated
  • Headquarters: Glen Ellyn, Illinois, serving clients globally
  • Accreditation: AMC Institute Charter Accredited
  • Mission: To advance yours

Key Considerations When Choosing an AMC

  • Transition plan: Do they have a documented onboarding process?
  • Exit clauses: Do they offer a satisfaction guarantee?
  • Staff depth: Do they have backups for their backups?
  • Culture fit: Do they view themselves as vendors or partners?
  • Technology: Are they up to date with the latest association systems and software?

“They [CM Services] monitor projects and priorities and follow through with execution based on the board’s direction… They manage meeting notes, follow ups… They also plan and execute two off site member conferences per year… Wonderful, they are very responsive and have a deep understanding of the association’s needs, priorities, etc.” —Beth Guinn, National Sales Director for OxyChem, PPFA Board Member

The Value You Can Expect

Partnering with CM Services delivers measurable ROI. We protect your bottom line and your board’s peace of mind.

Operational Excellence

  • Reduced overhead costs and liability.
  • Continuity of staff and institutional memory
  • Access to best-in-class technology and software

Strategic Growth

We learn your distinct challenges, and we tailor our services and resources around them.

A 2020 AMC Institute study noted associations see a 90% gross revenue increase when working with AMCs compared to stand-alone models.

How Our Partnership Process Works

We believe in transparency, and we practice it through a seven-step process. Here’s how we align our team with yours:

  1. Potential client proposal. We learn your industry needs deeply.
  2. Client partner transition. We securely acquire your materials and data.
  3. Strategic planning. We facilitate a session to establish your mission and strategies.
  4. Operational plan. We create a 1-year plan with SMART goals and a budget.
  5. Board focus. We provide leadership training to keep the board focused on the plan.
  6. Annual evaluation. We measure progress and adjust the plan as necessary.
  7. Reporting. We report results to leadership and restart the cycle.

Together, we’ll help your association achieve its full potential.

“I can’t imagine having a better coach than Rick Church, and his support staff have been excellent for me personally, but also for our association.” —Larry Tompkins, VP Sales & Marketing, SE Region for Ergon Asphalt and Emulsions

Client Success Stories

From expos to trade shows to websites, we’ve helped associations of all sizes support their missions. Here are just a few examples of the initiatives we’ve helped facilitate. 

CONEXPO is a massive global event, and the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) needed to juggle a complex itinerary of live machinery demos, exhibits and high-stakes meetings. We managed the logistics for this multitrack presence, ensuring a seamless brand experience from the trade show’s busy floor to the boardroom’s quiet focus.

When the Association of Independent Manufacturers Representatives, Inc. (AIM/R) partnered with us in 2014, they had a single conference and limited member engagement. We worked with their volunteers to expand their scope: launching monthly e-learnings, revitalizing their brand and forging industry press partnerships. Annual conference attendance more than doubled, and sponsorship revenue multiplied tenfold.

Co-hosted by NASA, the 29th Space Cryogenics Workshop faced a major issue: moving a technical workshop entirely online. The challenge was replicating vital in-person networking. We facilitated a seamless virtual environment for 31 complex presentations. The result was a resounding success, with more than 80 engaged attendees connecting remotely.

Water and Sewer Distributors of America (WASDA) partnered with us in 2020, needing a strong strategic voice during global uncertainty. We built a comprehensive advocacy program from scratch, coordinating lobbyists, videographers and social media experts. The result is a powerful government relations foundation engaging Capitol Hill.

The Floor Covering Installation Contractors Association (FCICA) needed a digital home to serve its diverse membership. We built a centralized website that streamlines its critical Certified Installation Manager (CIM) program and educational resources. The site is now the industry’s premier hub, driving enrollment and connecting contractors nationwide. 

Move Your Mission Forward With CM Services

Don’t let the complexities of management hold your association back. We’ll handle the heavy lifting, from strategic planning to daily execution, so you can power forward. In fact, we customize our services to fuel that momentum.

Whether you need comprehensive management or a partner for a particular project, CM Services is ready to help you excel.

CM Services FAQ

If your association has never worked with an AMC, you may have questions about partnering with one. Here are answers to what you want to know.

Absolutely. You never lose control of your association. Your board of directors sets the vision, policy and strategy; our job is to execute that vision. Think of us as your operational partners; we handle the “how” so you can focus on the “why.”

No. Many of our client partners rely on us for entire operations, but we often partner with associations on a project basis. Whether you need help with a specific conference, certification program or new website, we can step in.

Hiring an AMC is more cost-effective than employing in-house staff. We share overhead costs (office space, software, technology, etc.) across multiple partners. That means you get enterprise-level resources at a fraction of the cost.

You’ll have an executive director and support team who learn your industry inside and out. Unlike freelancers, you also get our entire staff’s backup. You never have to worry about sick days, vacations or staff turnover disrupting operations.

We’re growth partners, not just administrators. We actively work with you to identify new revenue streams, increase member engagement and refine your strategic plan. We measure our success by your association’s advancement.