Executive Management Success Story

Client

The Academy of Osseointegration (AO) is the premier association for professionals interested in implant dentistry and is at the forefront of scientific advances in dental implant and tissue replacement therapy. AO membership is international with members from more than 70 countries.

Challenge

Over the past eight years, AO experienced tremendous growth in membership, revenue and annual meeting attendance. As a result, the association Board wanted to look at existing staffing needs, plan where to allocate additional resources and assess the current management staff.

Action

The AO Board retained an independent management consulting firm to appraise the performance of AO's programs and its EAI management staff. Officers, directors, volunteers and staff were interviewed. The consultant reviewed governance and management documents and compared management staffing and management fees with industry benchmarks.

Results

The consultant praised EAI management services very highly and recommended areas where additional staff would be needed to meet strategic goals. The report to the Board summarized EAI strengths as follows: "produces an excellent annual meeting, the best in the profession, competent, good follow-up and good at getting corporate support." The Board authorized the Executive Director to develop and implement a progressive staffing plan, adding full- and part-time employees over a period of time.

Over the past 10 years under EAI management, AO membership has increased 58% and net assets have grown by 1,150%. The annual meeting attendance, educational courses, exhibits and revenues have also expanded. Due to the success of this growth and the increase of non-dues funding sources, membership dues have not increased in 10 years and EAI management fees remain considerably lower than the industry benchmark.