After a thorough review of the strategic options, the USA Board of Directors of the Association For Creative Industries have decided to partner the SmithBucklin, an association management company. SmithBucklin will assume the full operational activities of the AFCI, New Jersey USA, effective April 1, 2019.
“We would like to recognise our current staff team for all their contributions to the association and thank them for their contribution to the Association. We are working with them individually on thoughtful transition plans. While the Board has decided to make a management change, throughout the transition, I assure you that we remain focused on hosting a successful Creativation event in January 2019. Our current team will be working in tandem with new staff members from SmithBucklin and many of the new team members will be at Creativation.” Jim Thielen, Chairman, AFCI Board of Directors
SmithBucklin is a professional services company, established in 1949 based in Chicago USA, manages over 100 other associations from healthcare, scientific, technology, business and trade. They have a wealth of experience in supporting trade associations, including some that complement and have synergies within AFCI. The USA board sees this strategic partnership as the best option the association to continue to strengthen member experience and value proposition.
“SmithBucklin is the association management and services company more organizations turn to than any other. Our mission is to achieve the missions of the client organizations we serve. We serve trade associations, professional societies, technology communities, charitable organizations, and corporations. SmithBucklin is 100 percent employee-owned.” Janet Rapp, interim Executive Director
AFCI.UK will continue to have a base within the UK, providing the important connections between the UK, Europe and USA
“Any changes in business brings new challenges, new ways of working and new ideas. AFCI.UK is fully committed in its continued affiliation with AFCI. Craig De Souza will work closely with the U.S. organization and SmithBucklin through this transition period and beyond. The AFCI.UK Board and I are focus on making AFCI.UK stronger for its members in 2019 with strategic plans of each membership type to be launched throughout 2019 there. Exciting times ahead.” Tony Sheridan, AFCI UK Board Chair
