Association Management Company in England, Management Association, International - ASL, Administration Services Ltd, United Kingdom.

News Archive

• The US and us (2007)

• CECE congress (2008)

• Projects in China and India (2007)

STANDARDS

As members of ASL associations realise, standards make an enormous and positive contribution to most aspects of our lives. When products and services meet our expectations, we tend to take this for granted. However, when standards are absent, we soon care when products turn out to be of poor quality, do not fit, are incompatible with equipment that we already have, are unreliable or dangerous.

When products, systems, machinery and devices work well and safely, it is often because they meet standards. The organization responsible for many thousands of the standards is the International Standards Organisation, ISO.

Company representatives from many organisations in ASL associations, contribute to standards work for their respective industries. ASL’s Pam Hyde is Secretary of an ISO Technical Sub Committee: TC127 SC1, which concerns test methods for safety and performance of earthmoving machinery. Pam recently spent a week at the ISO HQ in Geneva to ensure that she services the Sub Committee’s work in the most effective way

New Website provides better access to all

ASL announces the launch of a new website www.epsa.eu.com for their clients, the European Platform and Stairlift Association (EPSA). The new user-friendly website is designed to assist EPSA members to promote safe, high quality access solutions at affordable prices to people with impaired mobility, architects and planners throughout Europe.

Record attendance for Congress of the Committee for European Construction Equipment (CECE)

The October 2008 congress, held in York. drew an attendance of nearly 250 industry leaders, experts and guests. These included a record participation of UK based companies – and delegates from 16 countries worldwide, including Russia, Korea and Brazil. The event, organised by ASL for the Construction Equipment Association, earned a whopping 89% "good or better" approval rating in a post event delegates' survey. Amongst the highest rated speakers were KHL Inaugural Lecturer Matthew Taylor (CEO, JCB), industry trends analysts David Phillips (Off-Highway Research) and Scott Hazelton (Global Insight). Top marks too for British Cycling team psychiatrist Dr Steve Peters who proved to be an informative and inspirational closing speaker – a suitable tonic after three days of economic and technical analysis. The Congress included two networking dinners; at the National Railway Museum and Castle Howard.

Scientific and Technical Communicators Sign On

ASL is pleased to announce the agreement of a contract with the Institute of Scientific and Technical Communicators (ISTC) for the provision of secretariat services.

Established for more than 50 years, the ISTC is the largest UK body representing professional communicators and information designers. It has nearly 1,000 members and associates who work within a wide variety of backgrounds and fields. The results of their work can be seen in user guides, manuals, online information, the internet and product design.

ASL's Elaine Cole comments; "The Institute has a wide range of involvements from conferences to education provision. As the organisation has grown, it was important for them to have a more in depth and flexible resource to look after their administration. This is why they chose the Association Management Company (AMC) option. Working with them to confirm and implement their longer term strategy will also become an important part of our mission".

For further information about ISTC, see www.istc.org.uk.

ASL – Projects in China and India

ASL’s Joanna Oliver made her 7th client trip to China in October 2007. Her mission was to build on existing contacts in the Republic – and find new opportunities for the sponsoring client industry. This year her visit comprised the organization of a trade show exhibit in Beijing – and a series of technology seminars in Jinan (Shandong Province).

Directly from her China assignment, Joanna visited India. This time the purpose was to hold a series of research meetings with companies, government and international agencies. Her trip was sponsored by UK Trade & Investment (a British government body) and was part of a 3-stage strategy to bring together British and Indian trading partners. She held meetings in Chennai, Pune, Bangalore and New Delhi.

Joanna commented; “It is noticeable that many national and international trade associations are seeking to establish links and memberships in both China and India. Both countries are seen to be the economic powerhouses of the future and they are just too big to ignore. We are planning further visits and can arrange some on the spot research for any clients that need it. It is good now that we are developing an extensive network of contacts in both countries.”

The visits have already led to membership enquiries from both countries.

Pictured: Mr Wang Zhi Zhong, Chairman of the Board of the Shandong Construction Machinery Group and member of National Party Congress meeting with Joanna Oliver.

The U.S. and Us

The autumn of 2007 was a busy time for ASL in the USA. ASL MD Rob Oliver made one of his regular client visits for the annual meetings of one of our international clients based in Washington State.

Returning home via Chicago provided Rob with the opportunity to meet with a representative of the British Consulate and other client contacts. In particular it was a chance to catch up with first hand accounts on prospects for the US economy – something of particular interest to many European clients.

In addition, Rob was pleased to meet some of his AMC Institute member counterparts; Rob Patterson from the Centre for Association Resources Inc. (in Schaumberg) and Karen Renk from Association Enterprise Inc. (in Naperville). ASL firmly believes in establishing sound links between association management companies around the globe. Sharing experiences and best practice across continents can provide invaluable assets to both AMCs and their clients.

We are looking forward to the opportunities of working with our U.S. colleagues in the future - both on behalf of clients and in terms of general business development. Rob plans at least three visits to the US in 2008 – including the AMC Institute Annual Meeting in New Orleans (February). This trip will provide ASL more opportunities to forge links with other AMC Institute members worldwide and any potential new clients looking for European representation.

ASL has over 20 years experience in supporting exhibition groups in North America and is once again organizing a British group of companies at the major international trade show, Conexpo, in Las Vegas (March) - A triennial event regularly attracts over 100,000 industry professionals.