Denise McGinn, CAE, is the co-founder and co-owner of Association Guidance, a multi-client association management firm. The firm was founded in 1993. Her services have been retained for the past 21 years by the 501 (c) 3 non-profit, Michigan Safety Conference, that hosts 2,500 attendees over 2 days, and includes 200 exhibiting firms annually, along with a planning committee of over 170 individuals.
Association Guidance is also the contracted event planner for the Michigan Municipal Risk Management Authority, located in Livonia MI, as well as well as the association managers for the Property Management Association of Michigan (PMAM). The firm also provides registration services for groups like the Great Lakes Ice Cream & Fast Food Association, planning services for the HALT Golf Outing, and more.
Denise is a 1995 graduate of the six year Institute for Organizational Management, Notre Dame University, where course study focused on management of non-profit organizations. She received the status of Certified Association Executive (CAE) from the American Society of Association Executives in 1997, and was re-certified in 2004, 2007, 2010 and 2013 . Denise has served as Executive Director for the Associated Builders and Contractors-Central Michigan Chapter, the American Planning Association-Michigan Chapter, the Michigan Forestry and Park Association, and currently the Michigan Safety Conference.
Her background includes over 30 years in the non-profit trade association field, including employment with the Michigan Plumbing and Mechanical Contractors Association and the Michigan Dental Association.
She has been a member of the Michigan Society of Association Executives since 1989, and has served on and chaired many committees and task forces. She currently serves on the MSAE membership committee, is a proctor for the CAE exam, and has been a volunteer instructor for MSAE's Academy of Association Management. She was the 2010 Chairperson for ORGPRO. She is also a member of the Michigan Non Profit Association, and the Society of Government Meeting Professionals Michigan Chapter.
Denise was named the 2014 Strategic Association Leader by the Michigan Society of Association Executives. Association Guidance was named "Best Meeting Planning Company" by readers of Michigan Meetings & Events Magazine in 2013 and 2014.
Denise is a public speaker and author in the areas of leadership development, strategic planning, event registration, conference and meeting planning, goal setting, and personal organizational skills.
