Trending Articles

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What’s “Normal” For You?

Spark Consulting

An association colleague recently called me because her membership director is “freaking out” about their association’s retention rate. The rate? 65%. Which, if you look at data like that from Marketing General’s 2024 Membership Marketing Benchmarking Report above, is low, even for individual membership associations. Average retention rate for IMOs = 79% Median retention rate for IMOs = 82% So 65% is bad, right?

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33 Meaningful Gift Ideas to Thank Volunteers Without Breaking the Bank

Wild Apricot

April is National Volunteer Appreciation Month! Are you looking for thoughtful yet affordable ways to thank your volunteers? Check out our top 33 volunteer gift ideas that show appreciation for every occasion.

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Try Before You Buy

Spark Consulting

Free samples are a time-honored tradition at bakeries. You walk in and there, on the counter, are bite-sized samples of some of the wares available for sale. You might have come in for a loaf of bread or a cup of coffee, but that taste of a croissant or a bear claw or a palmier prompts you to add a few treats to your order. Associations can do the same thing.

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Maximizing impact: aligning PR with advocacy

The Association 100

In this recent video , I share how associations can align PR efforts with advocacy goals to strengthen their influence and visibility. A strategic, coordinated approach ensures your messaging resonates with policymakers, media and members alike. Start by identifying the overlap between advocacy priorities and stakeholder interests. Craft clear, consistent messaging that highlights how your efforts drive real impact.

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The Everyday Donor: Unlocking Prospecting Segments Through Behavior Analysis

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!

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Weathering the Storm: How the Event Industry Can Adapt and Innovate through better Collaboration

Event Industry News

By Adam Parry, Event Industry News and Kashif Din, One World Rental By its very nature, the events industry is fast-paced and constantly evolving. The unpredictability of what the next day, week, or event might bring is part of what makes working in this industry so exciting and dynamic.

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Association 4.0™: Achieving Organizational Excellence in 2025 

.orgSource

Innovating for the Future of Associations As we step into 2025, associations are facing a pivotal moment. The acceleration of digital transformation, changing workforce expectations, and new competitive forces have reshaped the landscape. Organizations that embrace Association 4.0 a concept introduced in 2018are those that will thrive by prioritizing innovation, agility, and strategic execution.

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Crisis communications: lessons for associations

The Association 100

In this Association Insights video , I explore what associations can learn from corporate crisis communication strategies. Preparation, transparency and control over the narrative are essential to maintaining trust in difficult moments. Associations should have a crisis plan in place, ensuring clear steps for messaging and stakeholder outreach. Transparency builds credibility.

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The Power of Consistency: Top 5 Ways Standardized Processes Drive Efficiency for Associations

AMR Management Services

In the world of association management, efficiency isnt a buzzwordits a necessity. Whether managing membership renewals, event planning, or financial reporting, a well-run association thrives on streamlined operations. What is one of the most effective ways to boost efficiency? Consistency. As a professional services company, charter accredited by the AMC Institute, AMR Management Services has… The post The Power of Consistency: Top 5 Ways Standardized Processes Drive Efficiency for Associ

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Beyond Member Engagement: Drive Revenue Through Your Career Center

Association Adviser

Career centers are often an overlooked yet powerful tool for driving non-dues revenue within associations. Despite the low implementation barriers, many associations dont fully capitalize on their career centers as a core revenue driver.

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Turn Messy Data into a Strategic Asset with This Essential Guide

Is messy, outdated, or duplicate data making it harder to track engagement, revenue, and performance? Poor data quality can slow your organization down and prevent you from making informed decisions. With The Dirty Data Guide , you'll discover: Practical steps to clean your data and maintain accuracy over time. A checklist to help your team implement data hygiene best practices.

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Melton Mowbray Town Estate expands outdoor event offering with new pop festival

Event Industry News

Melton Mowbray Town Estate has announced the launch of The Melton Pop Festival, a one-day live music event taking place on 21st June 2025 featuring top-tier tribute acts to Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, and Ed Sheeran.

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Reports: Workers Concerned about Tech, Workplace Changes

Associations Now

The TalentSmartEQ report recommends leaders do more peer-based training around an ever-shifting work environment. Workers are expressing anxiety around their capacity to respond to technological change, economic uncertainty, and data security, according to a new report. The 2025 State of EQ Report , published last week by the HR consulting firm TalentSmartEQ, is based on a survey of more than 600 workers, mostly based in North America and conducted in late 2024.

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Leading with purpose: lessons in strategy, innovation & member engagement

The Association 100

On The Association Insights Podcast , our March Leadership Series kicks off with a deep dive into association leadership, strategy and innovation. Brandie Thacker, AAP, CAE, MBA, president & CEO of EPCOR, shares her journey from communications leader to CEO, offering insights on navigating change, building trust and driving member engagement. Thacker discusses the significant shift from departmental focus to leading big-picture strategy, the role of AI and data in shaping the future of assoc

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7 Questions to Ask When Planning Your Next Association Event

AMR Management Services

Planning an association event is an exciting opportunity to bring your members together, provide valuable experiences, and advance your organizations mission. However, successful events dont happen by chancethey require careful thought and a clear understanding of your goals. Whether youre organizing a small networking gathering or a large annual conference, asking the right questions at… The post 7 Questions to Ask When Planning Your Next Association Event first appeared on AMR Management

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2025 Association Survey Results Report

GrowthZone’s 11th annual survey highlights trends, challenges, and strategies shaping the membership industry through insights from U.S. and Canadian association professionals. Get your copy of the 2025 Association Survey Results Report to see how your organization measures up: The biggest challenges associations are facing Membership retention trends and non-renewal insights Strategies for automatic renewals and reinstatements Shifts in member engagement tactics Why members are joining (and sta

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4 Essential Tools for Effective Nonprofit Prospect Research

Achieve

If youre a seasoned nonprofit fundraiser, you know that prospect research is critical for securing high-impact donations. Whether youre launching a capital campaign, soliciting annual fund contributions, or expanding your nonprofits planned giving program , youll need to gather lots of information about individual prospective donors to cultivate their support and make requests theyll be receptive to.

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UK Event Supplier Network Partners with Major Events International to Boost Global Opportunities

Event Industry News

The Event Supplier Network (ESN) has formed a strategic partnership with Major Events International (MEI) to provide UK event suppliers with enhanced access to global markets. The collaboration aims to strengthen competitive advantage for British event businesses seeking international opportunities.

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What nonprofits want: Support for capacity building and collective impact

Candid

During my first year as CEO of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, our biggest priority was listening. Since late 2023, weve been talking with community members about how, together, we could make Kansas City a national model for equitable economic mobility. Two significant gaps became evident that we saw as two sides of the same coin: Nonprofits dont often have space to truly think about their strengths and sustainability.

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5 Factors to Consider When Choosing the Location of Your Next Meeting

ISAE

There are a lot of factors to consider when choosing a location for your meeting, so to make your job a little easier, we've rounded up five things to consider when deciding on the location of your next meeting. From easy access to industry experts in the local community to the welcoming and vibrant atmosphere, the location of your meeting directly impacts the satisfaction of your attendees.

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Navigating Payroll Compliance: Future-Proofing Payroll in an Evolving Regulatory Landscape

Speaker: Jennifer Hill

Payroll compliance is a cornerstone of business success, yet for small and midsize businesses, it’s becoming increasingly challenging to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of federal, state, and local regulations. Mistakes can lead to costly penalties and operational disruptions, making it essential to adopt advanced solutions that ensure accuracy and efficiency.

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The Importance of a Strategic Plan: The Path to Success

Ngage Management

A strategic plan serves as a roadmap for your associations success, providing long-term direction and guiding your organization with clearly defined goals and strategies. Without a strategic plan, an association risks inefficiency, misalignment, and a lack of impact on its mission and members. A well-developed strategic plan ensures that every program, project, and committee contribute to the overall mission, aligning all stakeholders with a shared vision and serving as a powerful tool for decis

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What do you believe are the most critical areas for improvement to achieve your mission?

Blue Avocado

The strongest nonprofits are always looking for ways to improve their mission, ways to serve more effectively, ways to reach more people, and more. When we recently asked the Blue Avocado community: “What do you believe are the most critical areas for improvement to achieve your mission?” and, once again, nonprofit leaders came through!

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UKEVENTS announces new Executive Committee to strengthen industry advocacy

Event Industry News

UKEVENTS has confirmed its new Executive Committee following the February Full Partners Meeting, with a clear focus on strengthening engagement with policymakers and capitalising on new relationships forged at the recent Houses of Parliament exhibition. The newly appointed committee will lead UKEVENTS efforts to drive recognition of the UK events industrys 61.

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The 3 types of capital nonprofits need to succeed in 2025

Candid

To navigate the ongoing disruptions in the social sector, nonprofits need more than financial capital alone. In this article, Ill share why nonprofits need three types of capitalfinancial, social, and psychologicalto survive and thrive in todays turbulent context, as well as how to cultivate each of them. Financial capital: the money for the mission When we think about what nonprofits need to survive, money often comes to mind first.

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How To Build an Exceptional Member Experience | Weds, Dec 11th, 3PM EDT

Speaker: Jessica Bonney from VICA and Jeff Horne from Wicket

What does delivering an exceptional member experience mean in today's world? With the right insights, tools, and strategies, you can identify what truly matters to your members, drive meaningful engagement at scale, and continue to meet the ever-evolving needs of your members. Join association experts Jessica Bonney from VICA and Jeff Horne from Wicket who will share practical insights on how to build an exceptional member-driven experience by gaining a deeper understanding of your members and d

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Protected: Association Strategy Planning Worksheet

Association TRENDS

There is no excerpt because this is a protected post. The post Protected: Association Strategy Planning Worksheet appeared first on AssociationTRENDS.

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Do you really need all that historical data?

Effective Database

Do you really need all that historical data? A question I'll often get from my clients as they're making the transition from one AMS to another is "How much historical data do we need to convert?" My preferred answer is always "None." The easiest data conversions are those with the least amount of data.

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Breaking Barriers, Building Futures: Reflections on Winning the AWTC Badass Award

MatrixG

Listen to this article Your browser does not support the audio element. A couple of months ago, I received a late night phone call from my friend Gretchen Steenstra, who is also a Director at DelCor Technology Solutions and Board member of the Association Women Technology Champions (AWTC). Gretchen couldnt contain herself. She said that the AWTC Board had decided to create a one-time Badass Awards and award it to four women founders and CEOS in the industry.

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{10 – 11} Carlton House Terrace and Searcys to host The Business of Events Westminster Dinner

Event Industry News

{10 11} Carlton House Terrace, home to The British Academy and its hospitality partnerSearcys,have been named as the official hosts for The Business of Events (TBOE) Westminster Dinner.

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2024 State of Customer Education Report

Customer education has become a key driver for growth, retention, and product adoption. Our latest 2024 State of Customer Education Report uncovers critical data and insights from a survey of over 200 industry leaders, offering a look at the evolving role of education in driving business success. Inside, you'll find data on key trends and strategies, including: Strategies for Scaling & Customization: Find out which investments in learning technology deliver the biggest ROI and scalability.

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Nonprofit survival strategies: Strengthening mutual support, ruthless prioritization

Candid

U.S. nonprofits are struggling to navigate this period of uncertainty and instability, facing heightened federal scrutiny to threats to their funding. Some organizations may go offline unexpectedlybecause theyve lost staff, data, funding, or other resources. How can the sector work to create stability and continuity? Based on my 25+ years working in nonprofit technology and consulting, here are some ideas on nonprofit survival strategies.

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How to Plan a Convention: A Guide for Event Professionals

A2Z Events

Conventions showcase your brand and what you have to offer your industry. If you’ve ever tried to plan a convention, however, you know the many challenges you can face. From juggling logistics to making sure your audience stays engaged and interested, you have a number of components you have to track. We will break down for you how to plan a convention that successfully promotes your business and drives audience engagement.

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Building influence: advocacy & policy strategies from CTA’s Gary Shapiro

The Association 100

On The Association Insights Podcast , our advocacy series wraps up with Gary Shapiro, CEO and vice chair of the Consumer Technology Association, as he shares insights on navigating Washington, advocating for innovation and tackling pressing policy challenges. Strong advocacy starts with solid strategy. With decades of experience, Shapiro discusses engaging with the Trump administration, the economic impact of tariffs and how AI and global trade policies are shaping the future.

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