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The Association of Proposal Management Professionals or APMP® is a 501(c)(6) non-profit membership organization. APMP was founded on August 14, 1989. APMP’s mission is to "advance the arts, sciences, and technology of new business acquisition and to promote the professionalism of those engaged in those pursuits." Also, to serve the needs and professional interests of members and improve public understanding of the profession and its contributions.

Overview
The core of the APMP association and organization is proposal-related, including the entire new business acquisition cycle, while maintaining proposals as the cycle core. New business acquisition encompasses marketing, business development and acquisition activities from early marketing positioning through negotiations and contract award. APMP members are dedicated primarily to the successful execution of one or more of the diverse activities involved with proposal execution.

APMP publishes a quarterly newsletter called The Perspective, and twice yearly a journal called The Journal of The Association of Proposal Management Professionals.

APMP is headquartered in Dana Point, California, USA.

History
APMP was founded on August 14, 1989. On August 16, 1989, an announced planning meeting was held at the Irvine Hilton and Towers with 28 attendees who became the original Charter Members. November 17, 1989, APMP was officially named and formed.

In March 1990, the initial steering committee was held in Laguna Beach, CA.

In March 1990, the first issue of The Perspective was published. May 10-11, 1990, the first APMP National Conference was held at the Hyatt Islandia in San Diego, CA.

May 1990, the First Association Job Survey was completed by the Education Committee.

July 1991, the first local area chapter, Valley of the Sun, was formed.

In 2005 APMP began offering the world’s first professional accreditation program for those working in a bid and proposal environment.

In 2008 APMP, in collaboration with the BD-Institute International, went live with BD-KnowledgeBase™. BD-KnowledgeBase™ identifies practices, process elements, and tools that are generally recognized as key practices and hallmarks of the business development discipline.

In April 2008 APMP published its first of a series of five “Proposal Guide” podcasts on its website.

Membership
APMP currently has about 3,400 active members as of early 2009. APMP membership includes proposal and business development professionals who are engaged in a wide range of activities including business development and acquisition, proposal and program management, strategic planning, and proposal consulting and production.

APMP professionals come from a cross section of industries and employers that include:


 * Aerospace/Defense/Federal Contractors
 * Business/Industry/Commercial
 * Academia
 * Government
 * Non-Profit

Chapters
APMP chapters are in four regions, the Eastern US Region, the Central US Region, and the Western US Region, and the International Region. There are currently 25 chapters worldwide.

Most APMP members affiliate with one of APMP’s chapters, located in and outside the United States. The choice to affiliate is voluntarily, and is not restricted to geographic proximity. Any member may affiliate with any chapter. The largest chapter outside the United States is in the United Kingdom.

Annual International Conference and Chapter Symposia
In May or June of each year, APMP holds the Annual APMP International Conference & Exhibits, the largest conference for proposal professionals in the world. Some local APMP Chapters hold Spring and Fall Symposia. International Conferences have been or will be held in the following locations:


 * 1990: San Diego
 * 1991: Las Vegas
 * 1992: Monterey
 * 1993: Scottsdale
 * 1994: Washington
 * 1995: Dallas
 * 1996: San Francisco
 * 1997: Orlando
 * 1998: Colorado Springs
 * 1999: San Diego
 * 2000: Orlando
 * 2001: Albuquerque
 * 2002: Salt Lake City
 * 2003: New Orleans
 * 2004: Hollywood
 * 2005: Phoenix
 * 2006: New Orleans
 * 2007: Savannah
 * 2008: Rancho Mirage
 * 2009: Phoenix
 * 2010: Orlando
 * 2011: Denver
 * 2012: Dallas
 * 2013: Atlanta

APMP Fellows
APMP recognizes outstanding members for their contributions to the proposal profession by inducting Fellows, and extending lifetime APMP membership to them. APMP Fellows also have the opportunity to mentor other proposal professionals, and participate in the peer review process for artifacts submitted to the APMP Body of Knowledge.

APMP Accreditation
APMP offers the world’s first professional accreditation program for those working in a bid and proposal environment. Started in 2005, the Program uses a process of examination and competency-based assessment, which is consistent and measured against world best practice standards.

There are three levels of accreditation, each tested in a different way, and each requiring a minimum level of experience. Over 700 APMP members are certified at the APMP-Foundation™ Level.

To maintain accreditation, individuals are required to participate in a continuing professional development program, earning CEU (continuing education unit) credits in accordance with defined standards. The number of units required depends on the level of accreditation.

The APMP has worked with industry to define a comprehensive competency for bid and proposal professionals. This has included working with the BD-Institute International to define the competency standards required to achieve best practice in business development.