News, Events and Articles

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SOUND DECISION fOR NOISE CONSULTANTS

The Association of Noise Consultants (ANC) has just become ASL’s newest client. Representing over 110 firms providing consultancy services in noise and acoustics, the Association has grown significantly in the last few years. Much of that growth is linked to the testing of sound insulation in domestic properties where the ANC Registration Scheme is recognised by government as providing one of the routes to achieve compliance under Building Regulations.

ANC chose an association management company as they require wide ranging support from servicing meetings, to membership administration and website maintenance. Having reviewed a number of options the Association decided that ASL was best placed to provide the full secretariat service required and offered the value for money which they sought.

For further information about ANC, see www.theanc.co.uk

ASL TO TAKE OVER BMHF

ASL has recently been chosen to provide the secretariat for the British Materials Handling Federation (BMHF) which is the representative association for the UK materials handling industry. Members include the British Industrial Truck Association (BITA), the Automated Materials Handling Systems Association (AMHSA), the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF), the Storage Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA) and the Association of Loading and Elevating Equipment Manufacturers (ALEM). Handover from the current secretariat is scheduled to be complete by 30th October 2010.

NEW SECURITY ASSOCIATION

ASL has successfully formed a new association on behalf of suppliers of anti-terrorist products - designed to stop vehicle borne attacks. The Perimeter Security Suppliers Association (PSSA) formally became a company limited by guarantee on 1st August 2009 with founding members from a cross section of leading suppliers of specialist fencing, gates, bollards etc. The objective of the new grouping is to promote the independent certification of products and installations in the market. The PSSA is already represented on a key European standards working group and has the active encouragement of the UK government agency charged with the protection of the national infrastructure.

ASL Director, Rob Oliver, comments, "We are pleased to be working with the PSSA - particularly as they have such clear and beneficial goals. Their members supply products which are all too sadly needed in the modern world, protecting both lives and livelihoods. They had the option to go with an existing trade association but were keen to be independent so that they could retain their focus and flexibility. Fortunately we have experience in starting new associations, so we have been able to pull things together relatively quickly for them."

QUICK CHANGE IN VENUE BRINGS SUCCESS

It is every organisers nightmare to find that your chosen conference venue has to be changed. However, with a few months notice, this need not be a problem. Yet if you only have two weeks to find alternative meeting and overnight accommodation for 150 delegates it becomes a major issue! That was the situation facing an ASL client in September when the conference centre that had accepted the event booking a year before suddenly reneged on the deal.

ASL Director Rob Oliver takes up the story; "When we heard the news we jumped in the car and had a possible alternative available within 24 hours, when this one eventually fell short on a couple of key areas we were able to come up with another venue within 20 miles of the original one and the deal was done by the close of the second day after the news broke. The conference itself went off without any major hitches and in fact was marked out as a big success! However, it is not an experience we would want to repeat".

The head of the client's organising team paid thanks to his volunteer helpers and praised his paid helpers for the “focussed and diligent work by the ISTC admin team from ASL ….”

ASL ACHIEVES AMC INSTITUTE ACCREDITATION

ASL has recently been awarded accreditation by AMC Institute, the global trade association representing the Association Management industry.

Among 500-plus Association Management Companies (AMC) worldwide, fewer than 50 have achieved AMC Institute Accreditation, demonstrating the commitment and the ability to deliver the highest level of professional management services to association and not-for-profit clients. These AMCs are the recognized choice of association and not-for-profit organizations.

“We congratulate ASL for achieving AMC Institute Accreditation,” stated AMC Institute Board President, John Francis. “The accreditation evaluation is the most demanding and comprehensive in our industry. Clients of accredited AMCs should feel assured that this exclusive group operates with the highest level of professionalism and responsibility, and consistently meets or exceeds all industry requirements.”

Administered by AMC Institute, AMC Institute Accreditation is recognized and supported by ASAE & The Center for Association Leadership and is based on the ANSI Standard of Good Practices for the AMC Industry.  ANSI requires that the standard be reviewed and updated regularly to remain an approved standard. Measurable performance practices include contracts and service delivery; employee recruitment, training and professional development; and financial management and internal controls, among others. AMCs must earn re-accreditation every four years, demonstrating to an independent outside auditor that they continue to meet the standard.

ASL Managing Director, Rob Oliver, welcomed the news; "We are the first independent British AMC to achieve AMCI accreditation which underlines our commitment to excellence. As the global economic uncertainty takes hold, it seems that more trade and professional bodies are turning to AMCs to give them the flexibility and professionalism that they need."

Association Management Companies specialize in managing associations and not-for-profit organizations, providing leadership and professional management services through experienced staff, best practices and shared resources. Because AMCs manage multiple association and not-for-profit clients, their experience and knowledge base are broad and substantial, positioning AMCs as the preferred choice for full-service and specialized management services.

For more about AMC Institute accreditation, visit www.AMCInstitute.org/accreditation.

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.

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.