It is no longer a question of if, but when your association should consider the implications of managing an international presence. An association management company can help establish that presence.

With the Internet and Web sites, people from around the world can find your association. You do not have to go looking for them. But, once they have found you, how do you service them? The skills and experience of an association management company may often be the best solution.

There is an impressive list of issues that organizations confront when becoming truly international. These include the following:

• Legal registration, tax, bank accounts, form of organization: Each country has a different set of rules, regulations and customs.
• Staff recruitment: How do you recruit from a distance?
• Acquiring premises, equipment, and infrastructure: What are the normal conventions with regard to property rental? What is included (or not included)? How can you identify reputable suppliers?
• Determining the amount of investment required and the ability to repatriate income: How much is this really going to cost and in what currency?

• Developing a viable business case and determining a timeline for achieving it: How does an international presence fit with the organization's overall strategy?
• Supporting a sustainable membership and volunteer base: What is the market potential in the area, and is there a pool of potential volunteers?
• Conducting a competitive analysis of local associations or non-association competitors: Which organizations — not-for-profit or otherwise — compete with your organization for members, sponsorship and recognition? Should you collaborate or compete?
• Exit strategy: What is a viable exit strategy if you need to retreat from the market? How do you limit liabilities and expenses?

Using an association management company to establish a presence abroad and to organize your meetings could be the most cost-efficient and effective option.