What CM Services does

CM Services, Inc. is a privately-held, family-owned association management company (AMC) headquartered in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, founded in 1977 by Dick and Jeri Church. The company provides full-service and contracted association management to trade associations and professional societies across diverse verticals including flooring installation, government finance, cryogenics, geospatial, powered access, water and sewer distribution, church goods, and modified asphalt. Its service portfolio spans four interconnected lines: Member Services (membership management, affinity programs, certification/accreditation), Executive Leadership Services (board and committee management, strategic and operational planning, project management, financial and accounting), Marketing and Event Services (marketing campaigns, event coordination for meetings/conferences/trade shows, sponsorship and advertising), and Communication and Web Services (graphic design, website and database management with AMS and LMS support, and communications/publications). Underlying technology is centered on third-party association management systems, learning management systems, and database/website platforms rather than proprietary infrastructure, with differentiated value delivered through CM Services' structured 7-step partnership methodology and AMC Institute Charter Accreditation (held by only ~75 of 500+ AMCs).

The company operates a sales-led, relationship-driven go-to-market initiated through Request for Proposal submissions, direct outreach to leadership (Head Coach Rick Church), industry referrals, and conference presence. Revenue is generated through recurring subscription-style management fees tailored to each client partner's annual budget, with client budgets ranging from under $250K to over $2M; pricing is not publicly disclosed. Target customers are national and international trade associations and professional societies seeking to offload operational complexity from volunteer leaders. CM Services distinguishes itself on continuity (multi-generational Church family leadership), accreditation status, and a 90-day satisfaction guarantee offering 50% fee refund and transition support, while competing against roughly 500 other AMCs in a fragmented market.

Name

CM Services

Legal name

CM Services, Inc.

Website

https://cmservices.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1977

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

CM Services is a family-owned association management company founded in 1977 that provides full-service and contracted management for trade associations and professional societies, generating revenue through recurring management fees tied to client budgets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Association Management Services

NAICS

Management Consulting Services (54161), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192)

SIC

Services-Management Services (8741)

akta.pro primary industry

Association & Society Conference Management (Nonprofit, Professional Bodies) (THAHACAA)

Keywords

• Association management services
• Trade association management
• Professional society management
• Nonprofit association operations
• AMC management company

Headquarters

HQ city

Glen Ellyn

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Association Management Services: Full-service and contracted association management providing shared resources and proven practices for trade associations and professional societies. Revenue is generated through recurring management fees based on client partner budgets and service scope.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

CM Services is an Association Management Company (AMC) that provides full-service and contracted management for trade associations and professional societies. Its offerings cover membership management, board and committee governance, strategic and operational planning, financial and accounting services, event coordination, marketing campaigns, sponsorship programs, graphic design, website/database hosting, and communications/publications. Services are delivered through a structured 7-step partnership process with a 90-day satisfaction guarantee.

Product overview

CM Services is an Association Management Company (AMC) offering a comprehensive suite of professional services for trade associations and professional societies. The company operates as a unified service offering with multiple interconnected service lines that work together to manage all aspects of association operations. Core services include Membership Management (covering recruitment, retention, dues invoicing, and benefits), Affinity Programs (partner-provided member discounts), and Certification & Accreditation programs. Executive Leadership Services encompass Board & Committee Management, Strategic Planning, Project Management, and Financial & Accounting. Marketing & Event Services include Marketing Campaigns, Event Coordination (meetings, conferences, trade shows), and Sponsorship/Advertising. Communication & Web Services provide Graphic Design, Website & Database management with AMS/LMS support, and Communications (writing, editing, printing, digital distribution). All services are delivered through a structured 7-step partnership process with a 90-day satisfaction guarantee.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Membership Services Comprehensive membership management covering recruitment, retention, dues invoicing, benefits management, and member engagement for trade associations and professional societies.
• Affinity Program Services Partnership-based program delivering members exclusive discounts on credit card processing, health insurance, HR solutions, and other business services.
• Certification and Accreditation Services Program management covering curriculum and exam development, program marketing, and recertification services for association credentials.
• Board and Committee Management Services Full-service board governance support including leadership guidance, consensus development, agenda creation, meeting coordination, antitrust compliance, and minute-taking.
• Strategic and Operational Planning Services Planning services including survey creation, leadership meeting management, mission development, and operational budget planning with SMART goals methodology.
• Project Management Services Project management including milestone identification, task planning, SMART goals development, and timeline management for association initiatives.
• Financial and Accounting Services Full-service financial management with accredited accounting procedures, budgeting, reporting, forecasting, and annual audit services.
• Marketing Services Creative campaign development, association branding, and marketing plan creation to engage current and prospective association members.
• Event Services Comprehensive event coordination including meetings, conferences, trade shows with virtual and in-person planning, venue contracting, on-site production, and post-event follow-up.
• Sponsorship and Advertising Services Sponsorship program development and implementation, advertising program management, and non-dues revenue generation assistance.
• Graphic Design Services In-house graphic design including imagery consultation, palette and typography creation, graphic and flyer design, and logo creation.
• Website and Database Services Website management, database management, AMS and LMS implementation and support for association digital operations.
• Communications Services Technical and creative writing, editing, proofreading, professional printing, and digital distribution services for association publications.

Named customers9 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• AMC InstitutecoreOthersAMC Institute is the industry governing body that provides AMC accreditation. CM Services is Charter Accredited by AMC Institute, ensuring clients receive verified and reliable association management services. Only about 75 out of 500-plus AMCs hold this accreditation.
• Database and Website Technology PartnerssupportingTechnology or IntegrationEstablished partnerships with database and website providers tailored to each client association's needs. CM Services provides access to association management systems (AMS), learning management systems (LMS), and website management services.
• Affinity Program Service ProviderssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnerships with product and service providers offering exclusive benefits to association members including credit card processing, health insurance, and HR solutions. These partnerships create win-win opportunities for associations and their members.
• International Powered Access Federation (IPAF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerManages IPAF's CONEXPO presence including exhibit booth coordination, machinery demonstrations, industry meetings, and educational events. IPAF promotes safe and effective use of powered access equipment worldwide.
• AIM/R (Association of Independent Manufacturers/Representatives)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership since 2014 to expand AIM/R deliverables including social media, monthly e-learnings, press partnerships, councils, and website. Annual conference attendance more than doubled and sponsorships multiplied 10-fold.
• Water and Sewer Distributors of America (WASDA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership since 2020 to build comprehensive advocacy program coordinating lobbyists, videographers, and social media experts for government relations engagement with Capitol Hill.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves1 record

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Association Management Center (AMC): Association Management Center is a Schaumburg, IL-based AMC serving trade and professional associations across multiple industries. It is geographically and competitively comparable to CM Services, offering similar full-service association management.
• Kellen Company: Kellen Company is a national association management firm that provides full-service AMC support including meetings, marketing, membership, and government relations. It is a direct peer of CM Services with overlapping service lines and similar association client profiles.
• Civitas Strategies: Civitas Strategies provides association management, government affairs, and strategic consulting to trade and professional associations. It is comparable to CM Services because of overlapping AMC services and shared focus on advocacy and government-relations work for associations.
• Association Headquarters, Inc. (AHI): Association Headquarters (AHI) is a full-service AMC providing management, meeting planning, and financial services to trade and professional associations. It is a direct competitor to CM Services with a comparable service portfolio and client profile.
• Mariner Management: Mariner Management is an association management company serving trade and professional associations with services spanning administration, events, communications, and member services. It directly competes with CM Services for AMC contracts in similar industry verticals.
• Management Solutions Plus: Management Solutions Plus is an AMC that provides full-service management to trade and professional associations, including events, publications, and member services. It is a direct competitor to CM Services in the same mid-market AMC segment.
• Virtual Inc. Virtual Inc. is an established AMC focused on technology, healthcare, and standards-based associations, providing full-service management including events, membership, and strategic planning. It directly competes with CM Services for the same trade and professional society client base.
• Association Management & Consulting Services (AMCS): AMCS is an established AMC providing full-service association management to trade associations and professional societies. It is a direct competitor to CM Services with overlapping service offerings including membership, meetings, and communications.
• Association Management Group (AMG): Association Management Group (AMG) is an AMC that provides full-service management, including event planning, membership, and strategic services to industry associations. It directly competes with CM Services for similar AMC contracts.

Broad incumbents

• SmithBucklin: SmithBucklin is the largest association management company in the U.S., serving more than 200 client organizations across a broad range of industries. It is a comparable direct competitor to CM Services in the full-service AMC space but operates at much greater scale with deeper specialization.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cm-services-inc.-the-association-partnership-company

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CM Services