Planning for 2021? Use 2020 Lessons to Prioritize New Strategies

There are a number of words and phrases used throughout 2020 that we all want to forget: pivot, new normal, flexibility and change. While...

Access to Industry Information Tops List of Association Benefits

Successful business owners know that information is key to growing and sustaining a business. The value of access to industry research and best practices...

Legislative Activities Resume Center Stage

January and February mark the start of state legislative sessions throughout the country and with a few exceptions, most legislatures began meeting as...

2021 Resolutions Look Very Different from Previous Years’ Plans

What a difference a year makes. New Year resolutions, especially for organizations, are rarely ground-breaking or completely different from previous years’ goals, resolutions or...

Increase Association Visibility with Online News Center

Online newsrooms are a staple of most corporate websites and include everything from press releases to contact information for media relations staff to background...

Help Members in Transition to Ensure Retention

When evaluating benefits to members, it makes sense to look carefully at career stages. Early-career members value training, networking, career advancement opportunities, and certifications...

Job Boards and Career Centers Increase in Importance

Career centers have been a “nice-to-have” feature for many associations, especially if they are charging fees for companies to list openings. During 2020, however,...

How Associations Can Turn Disruption in Opportunity

Association leaders are continually looking for ways to better serve members with enhanced events, new services, expanded networking opportunities, and professional education, but 2020...

Is Anyone Listening?

It’s tough enough to be a speaker or event planner when a meeting or conference is live and in-person, but how do you know...

Provide a Forum for Members to Share Info

One of the greatest benefits of association membership is the ability to reach out to similar types of businesses for advice on operational issues,...

Retain Key Staff to Ensure Association Success

It does not matter how many programs your association offers, how many discounts are in your vendor referral program, or how well produced your...

Ban the “Grip ‘N Grin” to Enhance Magazine Readership

Association publication editors have a tough job. Their bosses and their members want an engaging, attractive magazine that highlights issues of concern as well...

6 Tips to Become a Virtual Event Superstar

Over 50% of association executives surveyed by Association Laboratory in March 2020 predicted that they would invest more in producing virtual conferences and educational...

Advocacy: A Key Benefit of Association Membership

“One of the most overlooked benefits of a trade association is the advocacy.” This quote from a Forbes article that is over six years...

Use Member Profiles to Create Connections

One of the most popular sections in a college alumni magazine is the update on alumni achievements, faculty accomplishments and classmates’ personal news. Fifty-six...

Strategies to Address Economic Reasons for Non-Renewals

Retention is important for all types of organizations. Retailers want to retain loyal customers, universities want to retain students beyond freshman year, employers want...

Historical Data Shows Memberships Will Grow Again

Member retention is usually one of the top concerns for all association executives, but 2020 has exacerbated the challenge of renewing memberships. In a recent...

Not Just a Pretty Picture: Infographics Convey Complex Data Effectively

A few years ago, infographics dominated social media, publication content, marketing tools, and classroom handouts. Although infographics are not the trendy “go-to” that they...

4 Essential Behaviors for Leading in Times of Crisis

Good leaders are prepared to manage crises when necessary, but all leaders faced challenges that no one foresaw when a pandemic completely changed business...

A 2020 Winner: Organizations Benefit from Virtual Meetings

There is a saying that every cloud has a silver lining – something positive that comes from a negative situation. One person who has...