Blog

When planning events, associations often focus on the big-picture elements: venue, programming, and speakers. But it's the smaller details that quietly shape the attendee experience and can leave a lasting impression. These five often-overlooked touches can elevate your next event from good to exceptional.

AH congratulates Karyn Lockshine, CAE, on being named Chief Executive Officer of the American Association of Heart Failure Nurses (AAHFN). Karyn has played a key role in supporting AAHFN through her work with AH, helping the association strengthen its member engagement, streamline operations, and advance its mission to improve patient outcomes through education and advocacy.

Strategic planning for nonprofits often relies on incremental updates, revisiting goals every few years, adjusting timelines, and expecting meaningful results. But with rising member expectations, rapid shifts in technology, and a tighter funding landscape, incrementalism can lead to stagnation.

Association Headquarters is pleased to announce that Account Executive Gabrielle Copperwheat has graduated from the Institute for Organization Management and has received the recognition of IOM.

To begin using AI for your organization, you must build a foundation of readiness. Explore the four non-negotiable pillars for success: Leadership Alignment, Staff Literacy, Data Confidence, and Strategic Fit. Learn how to stop wasting investment and start using AI to truly advance your mission with practical first steps like launching low-risk pilots and creating a one-page privacy guide. Strong preparation ensures your AI adoption is intentional, sustainable, and delivers real mission impact.

A recent change to federal law expands the use of 529 Career Savings Plans, allowing individuals to apply these funds toward training as well as credentialing programs. This is a huge win for organizations providing training/credentialing to their industry/profession.

“AI-powered” has quickly become shorthand for innovation. For many association leaders, distinguishing true value from hype can be challenging, and that uncertainty has created space for questionable sales practices to thrive. Learn how nonprofits and associations can cut through AI hype. Build AI literacy, avoid costly missteps, and adopt tools that truly support your mission.

While every industry scrambles to respond to the opportunities and threats fueled by AI, nonprofits, associations and certifying bodies have a unique opportunity to provide leadership in this process. Discover how nonprofits can lead with clarity in the age of AI. Learn how to gather member input, build informed strategy, and apply AI tools that align with your mission.

At this year’s AH Leadership Forum in May, association leaders came together to share the member engagement strategies that are moving the needle on member retention and growth. Across diverse industries and professions, from healthcare to manufacturing, the message was clear: today’s members want more than benefits. They want connection, clarity, and value they can act on.

At Association Headquarters (AH), social responsibility is more than a core value, it’s part of our identity. Each year, our Day of Service provides an opportunity for AH employees to step outside the office, connect with their colleagues, and make a tangible difference in the communities where we live and work.

Membership growth is a top priority for non-profits. However, many non-profits focus on a long list of services rather than highlighting the benefits of membership. To reboot membership efforts, organizations should mine current information to position themselves as a resource for solutions. Read more to learn how to get started.

What Is a Value Proposition, And Why Should Associations Care? At its core, a value proposition is your association’s “why.” It’s the reason someone joins, stays, and advocates for your organization – and it should be the foundation of your association marketing strategy.