CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The American Association of Sleep Technologists (AAST) has selected SmithBucklin, the association management and services company more organizations turn to than any other, to provide full-service association management. Abigail Lynn will serve as AAST’s chief executive, and its headquarters will move to SmithBucklin’s Chicago office on July 1.
Established in 1978, the American Association of Sleep Technologists is the premier allied health membership association for professionals dedicated to improving the quality of sleep and wakefulness in all people. AAST is committed to promoting and advancing the sleep technology profession while meeting the professional and educational needs of more than 4,200 members. The association’s mission is to promote sleep wellness and to lead the sleep technology profession through education, resources and advocacy.
In choosing SmithBucklin to provide association management, the AAST Board of Directors noted SmithBucklin’s 68 years of proven experience in serving professional associations and its ability to meet the needs of AAST’s membership amid rapid changes occurring in sleep medicine and the healthcare market overall.
“The board is excited about our partnership with SmithBucklin,” said Laura Linley, AAST Board President. “We were impressed with SmithBucklin’s depth and breadth of resources, proven practices and respected thought leadership. And, importantly, the board feels SmithBucklin’s culture surrounding volunteerism and leadership development aligns closely to AAST’s values of service to others and continuous improvement, which will allow us to serve our current and future members at the highest level possible.”
“We are honored by the opportunity to serve AAST,” said David Schmahl, Executive Vice President & Chief Executive, SmithBucklin’s Healthcare + Scientific Industry Practice. “We are committed to helping AAST achieve its objectives by enhancing membership value and relevance, delivering efficient operations, and engaging volunteers and new members.”
SmithBucklin will provide AAST with a complete management solution. In her role as executive director, Lynn will work with the AAST Board of Directors to establish strategic objectives and be accountable for developing and executing plans that achieve results. She also will lead a team of professionals who will be responsible for all aspects of the association’s operations, membership recruitment and engagement, financial management, marketing, communications and publications, technology, and conference management. The SmithBucklin team also will support AAST’s education initiatives, including its Continuing Education Credit (CEC) offerings.
“The field of sleep technology is evolving so quickly as more advancements are being made every day. I am thrilled to serve this dynamic organization that is really making a difference in helping people to sleep better so they can lead more productive and healthful lives,” Lynn said.
Lynn, a 12-year veteran of SmithBucklin, has overseen all aspects of association management, including membership services, annual conference management, educational programs, governmental affairs initiatives and marketing. Lynn holds a bachelor’s degree from DePauw University in Greencastle, Ind. She is also a graduate of the SmithBucklin Leadership Learning Forum, an intensive 12-month program that inspires the individual learning, self-discovery and personal growth of 15-20 SmithBucklin employees each year by exposing them to leadership concepts and principles.
SmithBucklin is the only association management company with dedicated industry practices. The company's Healthcare + Scientific Industry Practice supports the missions and objectives of healthcare and scientific organizations serving a broad spectrum of physician, nursing, dental, clinical research, academic and multidisciplinary groups. SmithBucklin offers these client organizations access to a team of professionals with unmatched healthcare association expertise and specific knowledge of the issues, challenges and actions distinctive to the changing healthcare environment.
About SmithBucklin
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 and provide uncompromised stewardship for their long-term prosperity. SmithBucklin offers full-service management and outsourced services to trade associations, professional societies, technology user communities, industry consortia, charitable organizations, corporations and government institutes. Founded in 1949, SmithBucklin has offices in Chicago, Washington D.C., Old Lyme, Conn., St. Louis, Bethesda, Md., and San Ramon, Calif., and delivers seamless association and event management services worldwide. The company is 100 percent employee-owned. For more information, please visit www.smithbucklin.com or call 1-800-539-9740.
