Blog

As society starts to breathe life into the events industry once again, association meetings and event planners are faced with sometimes reluctant audiences that want to be sure events are taking precautions that will ensure their safety and provide options for those who may decide that in-person isn’t on their horizon.

After a year of playing it safe, navigating disruptions to everything from event revenues and membership dues to education delivery and technology changes, associations are ready to move on to better days. Two AH leaders both shared their unique leadership perspectives and key successes in this special issue of Associations Now magazine.

The days of lump sum membership dues payments are going the way of dial-up internet—they're being rapidly replaced by more innovative methods that prioritize convenience and ease of payment. How can the system be updated to appeal to new, younger members?

On May 13, 2021, after months of planning, experts on a range of topics converged at AH’s Mount Laurel, New Jersey, office to bring a long-awaited project to fruition: it was recording day for AH’s Red Chair Series Podcast.

There’s a new buzzword in association business: data. From events to marketing and member communications, data plays a vital role in understanding and more meaningfully connecting with audiences.

It’s evident that the pandemic has placed foresight for associations in the spotlight — but the need to prepare for the future no longer applies only to top-down, national leadership. The role of chapters has been shifting and associations are beginning to drive change in their membership engagement strategies, one example coming from the Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nurses Society™ (WOCN).

The Smartsheet Product Certification Program provides a confirmation of skill proficiency with the Smartsheet platform and reviews critical concepts that show expertise in the platform. By certifying members of staff, AH ensures quality service and project management will be delivered from all teams to our Client Partners.

Association leaders often find themselves balancing difficult decisions. Add to that unforeseen or changing circumstance—such as emerging technologies, an evolving workforce, or even a global pandemic—and critical decisions can become more reactive than proactive.

AH has formed a DEI Advisory Council consisting of AH staff from a diverse range of backgrounds and positions within the company. The Council will create AH’s internal and external DEI voice that will not only bring AH staff together in support of these initiatives but also advance AH’s core value of Unified Diversity for the company and industry at large.

An update on AH's Strategic Partnerships Prediction, including highlights from Mike Dwyer, CAE, and Gene Terry, CAE, IOM. More and more organizations are seeking to expand resources and offerings in different forms, and are doing so by recruiting the assistance of an association management company (AMC).

The newest edition of AH’s planning guide, Virtual Events 2.0 takes a critical look at the lessons learned and enduring elements that have changed association events forever across three emerging themes: data, strategy, and experience. Virtual Events 2.0 explores the next wave of association events, touching on the safe return to in-person and the increasingly important role of hybrid.

In celebration of Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month, AH pays tribute to the contributions generations of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have made to American history, society, and culture. AH is committed to learning more about Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month and pleased to have AH staff share their experience and heritage with us.