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Corporate sponsors often tell me they feel like they are taken for granted by associations. But, when I check in with the associations staff, they say, Really? We LOVE our sponsors! This disconnect often comes down to communications and engagement. Here are a few common frustrations I hear from sponsors: The association doesnt make a point of understanding the companys business objectives and marketing goals The association changed the companys booth location and didnt inform the company in adva
The ground is shifting beneath us. Technology is accelerating. Member expectations are rising. Revenue models are evolving. And the pace of change isnt slowing down. In this environment, reacting to disruption isnt enough. Associations need to be built for resilience, relevance, and reinvention. That level of performance doesnt happen by chance. Long-term excellencethe kind that positions your organization to lead through uncertainty and opportunityis built on intentional infrastructure.
The weekly list of free educational events and resources for the association community Association Brain Food wont be in your inbox next Friday (May 16) because next week Im in New Mexico and Texas for a family hiking vacation. Youll get the next edition on Friday , May 23. In the meantime, brace yourself, its a long one today. If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.
When I say “brand,” what do you think of? Your colors, logo, font, use of images? Your style guide (hopefully your association has one)? Nope. Those things are your brand IMAGE, but they aren’t your brand. Your brand is an idea…a feeling…an experience. To quote David Ogilvy : brand is “the intangible sum of a product’s attributes: its name, packaging, and price, its history, its reputation, and the way it’s advertised.” Think about that: inta
Is your current AMS is creating more problems than it solves? You can lead the change. This eBook shares a customizable letter designed to help you clearly communicate your organization’s challenges, highlight the benefits of a modern system, and make a strong case for exploring a new AMS. Whether it’s outdated reporting, clunky workflows, or member frustration, this resource will help you start the conversation with clarity and position yourself as the advocate your organization needs.
Is it fair to say were living in uncertain times? I definitely think it is. And when times are uncertain, I believe the best advice is: Follow Your North Star. The North Star (also known as Polaris if youre a trivia junkie), is a star located in the Northern Hemisphere that is almost directly aligned with Earths rotational axis. This makes it appear stationary in the sky while other stars appear to rotate around it.
From refining strategy to reimagining leadership and member engagement, todays association leaders are tackling complex challengesand theyre finding insight and inspiration in the right books. We asked ten association executives and thought leaderseach of whom appeared on the Association Adviser podcastto share one book thats shaped their leadership, problem-solving, and change-driven approach.
From refining strategy to reimagining leadership and member engagement, todays association leaders are tackling complex challengesand theyre finding insight and inspiration in the right books. We asked ten association executives and thought leaderseach of whom appeared on the Association Adviser podcastto share one book thats shaped their leadership, problem-solving, and change-driven approach.
The report from Fuse, JDC Events, and Bear Analytics finds events professionals looking beyond conference mainstays in favor of deeper engagement. Meeting attendees are looking to engage and build communities with peers in ways that may prompt associations to rethink how they structure their events portfolio, according to a new report. Future-Ready Events: A Blueprint for Connection, Growth, and Innovation , was produced by Fuse, JDC Events, and Bear Analytics, and released May 6.
Glownet, a global leader in event technology and cashless payments solutions, has announced an extraordinary622% revenue growth over the past two years, largely fueled by launches of innovative products and features. This milestone reflects Glownets ongoing success in revolutionizing ticketing, payments, and operations for festivals, attractions, and venues worldwide.
Across the country, food security organizations are facing a perfect storm of rising demand, plummeting donations, and cascading cuts to federal nutrition programs. Food banks, pantries, and community food networks have long been overextended but are now navigating a new era of scarcity. At the same time, their role as lifelines for communities has never been more critical.
Why content strategynot just content creationholds the key to audience engagement, revenue, and long-term relevance. Associations are fighting a quiet battle: theyre creating more content than ever, but often seeing less return. Newsletters go unopened. Webinars underperform. Social posts fade quickly into the algorithms abyss. Its not a lack of effort.
Unlock the Power of Historical Data A Data Revolution: Why Your AMS/CRM Needs a Native Data Warehouse Today’s association leaders need more than real-time snapshots—they need the full story. MemberSuite: A Data Revolution reveals how a native data warehouse transforms your AMS into a strategic decision-making engine. In this free eBook, you’ll discover: The difference between a database and a data warehouse—and why it matters How to gain historical visibility into membership, engagement, events,
If members are an associations lifeblood, then data is its pulsea vital health indicator revealing well-being, needs, and potential. As a pulse guides a doctor in treating a patient, data helps associations understand their members, events, and engagement to make informed decisions. In this article, well break down how clean data enables actionable insights and foresight across these three essential categories.
Budget planning season is more than a financial checkpoint: Its a chance to align your associations mission with its resources. A well-structured budget helps your team prioritize, communicate with your board, and make confident decisions throughout the year. In this post, well walk through how to build a solid annual budget, from historical analysis to flexible forecasting, tailored to the unique revenue streams and expenses of associations. 1.
Lets be honest, association marketing can feel like a lot. Youre trying to reach new members, engage current ones, promote events, share resources, and showcase impact all while staying on-brand and on budget. Social media is one of the best tools associations have to do all of that, but it only works if its done… The post 4 Social Media Marketing Tips Every Association Should Be Using in 2025 first appeared on AMR Management Services.
The conversation around AI has shifted from speculation to reality almost overnight. What was once seen as a distant innovation is now reshaping the way we work, connect, and create. For associations organizations built on trust, expertise, and community the rise of AI isn’t just a question of adaptation. It’s a challenge of relevance.
Speaker: Gareth Webb & Phil Selley, Founding Partners at Intouch Business
For many nonprofit organizations and NGOs, managing grants and monitoring projects with spreadsheets and manual processes feels familiar—but is it holding your organization back? As funding requirements become more complex and stakeholder expectations for transparency grow, relying on outdated methods can lead to inefficiencies, missed opportunities, and compliance risks.
Author: Debbie Willis Gen Z is more connected, tech-savvy, and driven by purpose than generations before theirs. As they enter the workforce, theyre looking for organizations that reflect their values, offer flexibility, and create opportunities for growth. These individuals have high expectations for their memberships. They want meaningful engagement opportunities and a sense of belonging within the communities they join.
AI helps people save time and find information more quickly, and its changing the way we use the internet. Now, seeking information can be more like having a conversation with an expert. Instead of Googling something, you can ask ChatGPT a question, get an answer, and ask follow-up questions to drill down deeper. While its exciting that this technology allows us to conversationally get answers without sorting through search results, it also presents a problem for associations.
Its a question weve heard more than once: Why do we need a partner if the vendor says theyll handle the implementation ? Its a fair question, and one worth unpacking, especially when leadership is watching every dollar. Heres the truth: Most AMS vendors (and similar platforms) focus solely on their part of the build. For example, if the vendor provides only a minimal setup (like configuring one membership type) and hands over the rest, your team is responsible for completing the remaining tasks
LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 15, 2025) AMR Management Services, a Kentucky-based association management firm, is pleased to welcome the Womens Dermatologic Society (WDS) as its newest client. WDS joins a growing roster of more than 25 national and international associations that have chosen AMR as their trusted management partner. Founded in 1973, WDS empowers women… The post AMR Management Services Welcomes the Womens Dermatologic Society as a New Client first appeared on AMR Management Services.
Struggling to generate revenue beyond membership dues? You're not alone. Our free guide, The Ultimate Guide to Non-Dues Revenue for Associations , offers practical strategies to help your organization boost financial health. Inside, you'll explore creative ways to generate income, including: Educational offerings tailored to your audience Event-based revenue opportunities Job boards that drive engagement and income Corporate sponsorship ideas A checklist to evaluate and strengthen your current a
Do we have an AI policy yet? If that question sparked a flurry of emailsor worse, got added to someones already overflowing to-do listyoure not alone. Across the association landscape, leaders are feeling the pressure to keep up with AI. Draft a policy. Hold a quick training. Show the board youre on it. Check the box. But lets be clear: treating AI like a compliance task instead of a strategic priority is a recipe for confusion, risk, and missed opportunity.
Author: Kristen Wall Between funding member benefits, new programs, and various marketing initiatives, it takes a significant investment to further your associations offerings. You can only hope this investment will yield higher member engagement but how can you know for sure? Your associations return on investment (ROI) demonstrates the value derived from each of its expenses.
“Do or do not. There is no try.” – Yoda As a proud Star Wars nerd, I cant resist channeling Master Yodas wisdom as we chart the course for building a truly stellar association career center.
The push to do more with data leads many organizations to re-examine their key systems. An AMS implementation is an associations largest change management project/disruptor. Your organization should budget accordingly by thinking outside the traditional earmarked funds. To help, weve listed some other costs to include when budgeting for your AMS. Time : Dont lowball the cost of your time in your budget.
Traditional budgeting and forecasting methods can no longer keep pace with today’s rapidly evolving business environment. Static budgets, rigid annual forecasts, and outdated financial models limit an organization’s ability to adapt to market shifts and economic uncertainty. To stay ahead, finance leaders must leverage a future-forward approach—one that leverages real-time data, predictive analytics, and continuous planning to drive smarter financial decisions.
As concerns around mental health, digital safety and online abuse reach a critical point, Giant iTab stepped up to help drive one of the most striking and meaningful public installations in recent memory.
Top 10 Best Quotes about my new book, Mastering Association Corporate Sponsorships: How to Create Strategic Partnerships that Add Revenue and Member Value 1 IMPORTANCE Bruces book is a game-changer for association leaders. 2 PLAN Bruce charts a path for modern partnerships. 3 TRUST If you care about trust, community, and building something that truly matters for your members and sponsors, this book is your playbook. 4 CLARITY Bruce masterfully lays out clear steps for associations to grow
WASHINGTON D.C. (May 12, 2025) XYZ University LLC, a next-gen research and growth strategy firm, today announces the selection of Forj, the single solution for community and learning, for the development and launch of a dynamic community and curriculum tailored specifically for membership professionals.
Our nation is facing the greatest housing affordability challenge in generations. With a shortage of seven million affordable homes for the lowest-income families , cratering supply is leading to escalating housing costs, dampening economic prospects for people in urban, rural, Tribal, and suburban communities in every state and territory. Critical to building and preserving more affordable homes are nonprofit and mission-driven housing providers.
Speaker: Tim Sarrantonio, Director of Corporate Brand
Do you really know your donors? Not just what they give, but who they are? 👥 In this interactive session, we’ll break down how nonprofits can use behavioral indicators (affinity, recency, frequency, and monetary value) to build prospecting segments that go beyond wealth screening and actually align with donor identity. You’ll walk away with practical strategies to move beyond basic demographics and cultivate supporters based on how they already engage with you!
A new study has revealed that two-thirds (65%) of event industry suppliers say international and overseas markets are the biggest growth opportunity for their business.
Youve noticed it attendance at events is dwindling, member feedback is scarce, and the once-vibrant conversations in your community are fading. What if we told you the problem isnt your members but the way you engage with them? In this age of constant digital innovation, its easy for associations to fall behind by using tools and strategies that no longer resonate with todays members.
With the possibility of tax regulations changing in 2025, associations face growing complexity when managing taxes. From navigating the nuances of Unrelated Business Income Tax (UBIT) to accurately reporting across multiple revenue streams, staying compliant can easily become time consuming and overwhelming. However, with Nimble AMS, built on Salesforce, your association can leverage robust automation and reporting tools to take the stress out of tax preparation.
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