Membership
Membership Benefits
Participation in the General Assembly, the members’ meeting for policy and decision-making
Attendance at the Annual Meeting, a 2½-day conference for education and networking
Access to the member area of the website for member-only content
Participate in educational events, including workshops, webinars, campfires & collaborative learning experiences
Access to the member communication platform – an unparalleled resource where members share information and expertise
Join in thought leadership and research projects, as well as educational events, with third party collaborators
The most highly valued benefit of membership is the honest and open exchange between members.
It is immeasurably beneficial for associations to learn from each other, and truly rare that they feel at ease sharing proprietary information, which makes it all the more remarkable that our member organisations are comfortable and secure in the confidential environment of AC Forum.
Criteria for Membership
Membership is open to organisations legally registered as a non-profit association according to the laws of the country in which it is constituted. The organisation must be a supranational association representing a particular profession or professional field.
Membership is open to organisations meeting the following criteria:
the organisation shall be a supranational, non-profit association representing a particular profession or professional field
the organisation shall commit to fully participate in AC Forum activities in Europe through its educational offerings and General Assembly
the organisation shall not contract a third-party entity to manage its organisation unless this entity has been established by the non-profit organisation with the exclusive purpose to serve the aims and objectives of the non-profit organisation according to its articles of association. The organisation must have overall responsibility for, and control of, all aspects of the management of the association, including financial, and must be responsible for all decision-making relating to the association
the organisation shall organise a supranational conference on a regular basis, with at most two years between conferences, and the conference must have at least 2,000 participants
the organisation shall have ownership of, and be the initiator of, the conference
the organisation shall not contract a third-party entity to manage its conference and events unless this entity has been established by the non-profit organisation with the exclusive purpose to serve the aims and objectives of the non-profit organisation according to its articles of association. The programme structure must be under the executive responsibility of a senior member of staff having substantial responsibility for the day-to-day management of the organisation’s conference. The organisation must have overall responsibility for, and control of, all aspects of the conference or events, including financial, and must be responsible for all decision-making relating to its conference or events
the organisation shall not contract any individual to manage, or work for, any part of the association or its conference or events who represents or who has a financial, or employment, interest in any third party in the associations and meetings industry or related industry that is not a member of AC Forum
Rights & Duties Of Members
Members are entitled to attend all meetings of AC Forum and to make use of its facilities.
Activities of AC Forum are open exclusively to salaried and contracted staff working directly for the association who are able to speak on its behalf. All staff of a member organisation may participate in AC Forum activities.
Full member organisations in good standing may:
participate in all activities of AC Forum
present proposals for discussion at General Assemblies
have voting rights via a designated voting delegate who is a staff member
In order to be in good standing, member organisations must:
further the interests of AC Forum to the best of their abilities and shall refrain from any action which could damage the reputation and the aims and objectives of AC Forum
attend the General Assembly annually
comply with the articles of the Statutes of AC Forum and respect the resolutions of its General Assembly
pay an annual membership fee determined by the General Assembly and make payment on time
continue to comply with the membership criteria
appoint one current staff member as the primary contact for AC Forum; this person will be the person to receive all communications from AC Forum and ensure information is shared within the organisation, and must ensure that the member organisation responds to communication/ requests from AC Forum
maintain an active membership by means of the regular participation in, and contribution to, activities of AC Forum by multiple staff members with diverse roles
respect that all discussions within AC Forum are confidential and may not be shared outside of the AC Forum members’ circle
Membership Fee
The annual membership fee is €1,500
Application For Membership
Organisations applying for full or provisional membership must provide AC Forum with:
The completed application form signed by the President or a individual legally authorised to sign
Association governing document, e.g. Articles of association, constitution or by-laws
Proof of registration as a non-profit organisation (preferably in English)
Organisational chart showing structure and staffing
Latest strategic plan (if the association does not have a strategic plan, please advise) & last Annual Report
Constitution of the Association’s commercial entity (if applicable)
Copy of Association’s Foundation governing document (if applicable)
Applications are reviewed and assessed by the Membership Sub-committee (MSC). Upon invitation, applicant associations present their organisation to the MSC and respond to questions.
Once the Board has reviewed the applications and the MSC’s recommendations, applicant associations may be invited to be present during the next General Assembly.
Decisions on membership are made by the General Assembly on recommendation by the Board.
Interested in joining us? More information may be found here.
To apply for membership, please complete the application form.
Closing date: 1 September 2023
If you have any questions, or if you would like more information on membership of AC Forum, please contact us at secretariat@acforum.net.
