September 11, 2026
Canopy Management Group has once again been awarded accreditation by the AMC Institute, the global trade association representing the association management industry. We’re proud to have held this credential continuously since 2014, meeting the standard through four consecutive independent reviews.
This distinction matters to our clients; of more than 500 associations management companies worldwide, only 80 have achieved AMC Institute Accreditation. For Canopy, a company with nearly four decades of history, this credential reflects our ongoing commitment to delivering thoughtful, high-quality management services to associations and not-for-profit clients.
Read our full press release:
SPRINGFIELD, Mass., September 14, 2026 — Canopy Management Group, headquartered in downtown Springfield, MA, has once again earned accreditation by AMC Institute, the global trade association representing the association management industry. The firm has held the accreditation continuously since 2014, meeting the standard through four consecutive independent reviews.
The accreditation carries forward under a new name. Canopy Management Group is the evolution of The Markens Group, founded in Springfield in 1988. Nearly four decades of work sit behind the credential, and the standards the firm is measured against have not changed with the brand.
Among 500-plus association management companies (AMCs) worldwide, only 80 have achieved AMC Institute Accreditation, demonstrating the commitment and the ability Canopy has to deliver the highest level of professional management services to association and not-for-profit clients. These 80 AMCs are the recognized choice of association and not-for-profit organizations.
“We applaud Canopy Management Group on this significant achievement,” AMC Institute Chair Sarah Timm said.
“AMC Institute accreditation requires that association management firms demonstrate adherence to operational and ethical best practices, as outlined in the AMC Institute Standard. Accreditation distinguishes Canopy Management Group’s ongoing commitment to leadership in association management.”
“Every client relationship begins with trust,” said Emily Leonczyk, MBA, CAE, President & CEO of Canopy Management Group.
“Our clients entrust us with their finances, their operations, and work that matters. Accreditation examines the systems behind that responsibility, from the financial controls protecting client resources to how we develop our people and consistently deliver on our commitments. Our name has changed, but the high standards guiding how we care for our clients and their missions remain unchanged.”
Administered by AMC Institute, the AMC Institute Accreditation is recognized and supported by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) & The Center for Association Leadership and is based on the ANSI Standard of Good Practices for the AMC Industry. ANSI requires that the standard be reviewed and updated regularly to remain an approved standard. Measurable performance practices include contracts and service delivery; employee recruitment, training, and professional development; and financial management and internal controls, among others. AMCs must earn re-accreditation every four years, demonstrating to an independent outside auditor that they continue to meet the standard.
“Our clients trust us with organizations, members, and missions they are passionate about,” said Irene Costello, CAE, Director of Operations at Canopy Management Group, who led the firm’s reaccreditation process.
“Accreditation gives their boards and leaders confidence that the financial controls, people practices, and operational systems they rely on meet a recognized industry standard, allowing them to spend more of their time leading their organization and advancing its mission.”
Canopy partners with trade and manufacturing associations, professional societies, and nonprofit organizations that depend on strong governance, complex programming, and consistent operational execution. For those organizations, accreditation is an assurance. It means the financial controls, staffing practices, and service commitments behind their operations have been reviewed by someone with no stake in the outcome, which allows their boards and volunteer leaders to invest their time on strategy, advocacy, education, and workforce development, the work that moves industries forward, rather than on oversight of the management function itself.
Association Management Companies specialize in managing associations and non-profit organizations, providing leadership and professional management services through experienced staff, best practices, and shared resources. As AMCs manage multiple association and non-profit clients, their experience and knowledge base are broad and substantial, positioning AMCs as the preferred choice for full-service and specialized management services.
For more about AMC Institute accreditation, visit AMCInstitute.org/accreditation