The Research Chefs Association has selected SmithBucklin, an association management and services company, to provide full-service association management. RCA’s headquarters will move to Chicago in mid-August.

Founded in 1996 by a group of research chefs dedicated to overcoming challenges facing the food product development professional, RCA has grown to more than 2,000 members. Today, RCA is the premier source of culinary and technical information for the food industry, with a professionally diverse membership including chefs, food scientists and other industry professionals who are shaping the future of food research and development. RCA is a forward-thinking, vibrant, energized organization whose members benefit by being part of a dynamic community of food professionals who work toward a common goal: to create the future of food.

“SmithBucklin was selected based on their proven ability to bring fresh thinking and innovative ideas to its client organizations,” said Catherine Proper, CEC, RCA President. “RCA membership will benefit from SmithBucklin helping us to reach our full potential as practitioners of Culinology®. Additionally, we are excited to move our headquarters to Chicago where food is at the heart of the city.”

“We are honored to serve RCA and help the organization achieve its mission and exciting vision for the future, particularly as it celebrates its 20th anniversary serving this dynamic and passionate profession,” said Jim McNeil, Executive Vice President & Chief Executive, Business + Trade Industry Practice. “We are excited to help RCA enter a new period of innovation, impact and growth that will shape the next 20 years and beyond.”

SmithBucklin will provide RCA with a complete management solution. This will include a chief staff executive who will both work alongside the RCA board of directors to establish strategic objectives and be accountable for developing and executing plans that achieve results. The chief staff executive will also lead a team of professionals who will be responsible for all aspects of the association’s operations, including community oversight, membership recruitment and engagement, the RCA Annual Conference, RCA’s regional events, certification, marketing and communications, technology and financial management. The SmithBucklin team also will manage RCA’s Culinology® Education Foundation.

SmithBucklin's Business + Trade Industry Practice helps a wide range of trade and professional associations achieve their missions, create value for their stakeholders and advance their industry professions. The practice's unmatched team of association professionals applies leading practices across a wide spectrum of association management services.