Welcome to Institute!

Welcome to Institute for Organization Management, a professional development program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Since 1921, Institute has been educating thousands of association, chamber, and nonprofit professionals like you, and providing them with practical solutions to everyday challenges.

Every year hundreds of association and chamber professionals come to any of the five Institute sites searching for education, industry credibility, and networking opportunities—and are in pursuit of the industry's best practices and trends. Nonprofit executives are coming to Institute to find answers-both through the resources we provide and through sharing ideas with you, their peer.

Here at Institute, we're dedicated to making sure you find those answers. With a diverse core curriculum and choice of electives to choose from, Institute provides education on all facets of running a nonprofit organization.

From membership recruitment and retention to legal issues to budgeting and marketing, Institute's curriculum focuses on the unique challenges facing associations and chambers today. Institute is designed to help you find ways to overcome any difficult situation affecting your organization. Additionally, the curriculum is also tied to the CAE and CCE bodies of knowledge, allowing you and your staff to earn credit for industry certification in one simple step.

Graduates of the four-year Institute for Organization Management program receive the IOM recognition, signifying 96 hours of course instruction in nonprofit management. Known nationwide as the standard for association and chamber training, the IOM recognition signifies educational achievement and indicates active participation in the nonprofit industry and their individual communities. Graduates use the letters "IOM" after their names in public mention, as well as in professional correspondence.

Prospective Students

New! If you are interested in attending Institute for the first time, download our Prospective Student Toolkit (pdf) to help you gain insight into the program. In just six pages, learn the real benefits that Institute has to offer.

The toolkit includes:

* The Top 10 Reasons to Attend Institute (pdf)
   Click here to discover the benefits of attending Institute.

* Institute Curriculum Overview (pdf)
   Click here to see all the courses Institute offers.

* Institute Site Week at a Glance (pdf)
   Click here to see what the general schedule is onsite at Institute.
 
* Enrollment Incentives for First-Year Students (pdf)
   Looking for ways to save? Click here and discover what savings Institute has to offer.

* Important Institute Dates in 2010 (pdf)
   Click here for this year's Institute site dates and important deadlines.

* Attendee Testimonials from 2009-2010 (pdf)
   Want to hear what your industry peers are saying? Click here to find out.

Testimonials

No one sums up the value of Institute better than someone who's experienced the program first hand. Here's what a few of our attendees are saying about the Institute experience:

"During my four-year tenure, I've taken the things taught at Institute and literally turned this chamber around. Membership has increased over 100%, and our chamber finished the year in the black for the first time in over 20 years. The knowledge I've gained has prepared me and this chamber for a significant leadership role in the community and for the future."
Wayne Harris, IOM, Executive Director, Crestview (FL) Area Chamber of Commerce

"Institute has been the most valuable learning experience of my association career."
Mark Biel, IOM, CAE, Executive Director, Chemical Industry Council of Illinois

"When I returned, I was asked for the one 'a-ha' moment I had. I replied that I had so many 'a-ha' moments every day it would be impossible to name just one."
Lori Higgins, Manager of Administration, MetroNorth (MN) Chamber of Commerce

"Without Institute, I would not have gained the skills needed to enjoy a successful, 50 year career in Organization Management."
Dick Upton, IOM, CCE, President, American Lighting Association
Recipient – 2008 American Chamber of Commerce Executive "Life Award"

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