Trending Articles

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Retooling Your Business Model

Spark Consulting

Earlier this week, Associations Now profiled a recent report from McKinley Advisors, Business Model Innovation , in which they identify five innovation elements that can provide the revenue that fuels your association’s ability to achieve your mission: Value – rethink your value proposition Revenue – pursue new pricing strategies Community – provide opportunities for relationship-building, both online and in-person Reach – expand your thinking beyond just your memb

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Without a Plan: Why Digital Tools Are Failing to Deliver ROI for Associations

Association Adviser

For many associations, the push to modernize has never felt more urgent. Faced with declining member engagement, shifting expectations, and increasing pressure to prove value, digital tools often seem like the fastest path forward. From AMS platforms to engagement apps and data dashboards, the promise is clear: more efficiency, more insight, more connection.

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The Board Balancing Act: Contributing Without Controlling in Association Leadership

A2Z Events

Leading our largest city-wide event for several years opened the door to serve on another organization’s board young in my career. I am sure the executive director had little interest in the opinions or fiduciary experience of a late 20-something in his first board role. Like many leadership roles, it leads to others. From arts and events to academics, each board has come with unique opportunities and challenges – from tough decisions to the evolving needs of each organization.

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Community management: Advancing the profession with purpose

Ungated

Contributed by Gar Liebler, CMCA International Community Association Managers Day is June 13th, a day to celebrate the hard work and dedication of community managers around the world and recognize the value of the profession. Whether you chose community management or it chose you, you are part of a mission with profound significance. This profession offers the rare opportunity to blend practical skills with meaningful purpose, creating spaces where life’s most important moments unfold.

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How to Make the Case for a New AMS (and Win)

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.

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4 Non-Dues Revenue Ideas for Innovative Associations

AMR Management Services

Relying on membership dues alone is limited and risky. Economic shifts, changing member behaviors, and unexpected disruptions can all strain the traditional dues-based model. When too much depends on a single revenue stream, even well-established associations can scramble to stay afloat. Forward-thinking associations aren’t abandoning dues. Instead, they’re building diverse, resilient financial practices that help… The post 4 Non-Dues Revenue Ideas for Innovative Associations first appeare

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Hybrid Event Best Practices for Better Member Value

Achurch

Is your event budget staying flat (or maybe it’s even decreased)? How do you continue to deliver member value, especially if some of your audience is not in-person? Hybrid events are a great solution to help support members whose travel dollars or permission might risk drying up. But how do you ensure value for all attendees? How can you facilitate connection, demonstrate member value, and reinforce your organization’s value (especially if your annual meeting is the main benefit)?

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The Role of Leadership in Championing Technology Adoption 

.orgSource

When a new piece of technology enters the association ecosystem—whether it’s a CRM, AMS, AI tool, or collaboration platform—the organization’s success doesn’t rest solely on features, functionality, or even budget. The true determinant of adoption? Leadership. In any digital initiative, it’s the behaviors, mindset, and presence of leaders that set the tone for how the organization will respond.

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Rethinking Non-Dues Revenue: Turning Learning into a Growth Engine

Forj

For decades, associations have leaned heavily on the same predictable revenue streams—membership dues, monthly journals, and annual conferences—to fund their work. But the status quo doesn't guarantee success: in 2024, 21% of associations reported declines , underscoring the urgent need to diversify revenue and evolve membership offerings to deliver greater member value.

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Red Event Production acquires Alexander Media & Production Services (AMPS)

Event Industry News

Red Event Production is excited to announce the acquisition of Alexander Media & Production Services (AMPS), a highly respected production company with a legacy of personal service and technical excellence. This strategic move marks a significant milestone in Red’s continued growth, enhancing its operational strength, technical capabilities, and creative ability.

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A Data Revolution: Why Your AMS/CRM Needs a Native Data Warehouse

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,

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Never Take Candy from Strangers

The Big Picture

I grew up in the generation of latchkey kids: Both parents worked; you came home from school, fixed yourself a quick bite, then ran off to the playground for some stick- or b-ball. We weren’t wildly overscheduled; we didn’t have 20 hours a week of school events, after-school activities, and projects.  We were (mostly) on our own. This led to a generation of parents who recognized the risks all this unsupervised play created.

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Webinar Best Practices for Maximizing Value

Achurch

Webinars are popular. Case in point: Someone searches for a webinar every second of the day. And from the attendee perspective, it’s easy to understand their popularity. You can attend from anywhere, the subjects are seemingly infinite, and you can attend or view at your convenience. It’s no wonder webinars are the go-to learning method: 91% prefer webinars to articles (60%), whitepapers (48%), and blogs (42%).

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Post-pandemic, what has changed for the better (or worse) in your nonprofit?

Blue Avocado

In the five years since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, nonprofits have faced new challenges and, in many cases, changed the way they operate. While some organizations have benefited from increased flexible funding and adapted to more efficient virtual work models, others continue to grapple with financial instability, increased demand for services, and difficulties in volunteer recruitment and staff retention.

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What Personalized Learning Really Looks Like for Associations

Forj

Today’s professionals have more choices than ever, with commercial platforms, specialized micro-learning apps, and niche online communities. All compete to meet distinct learner needs, but associations hold a unique advantage as experts in their fields and industries.

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A New Look At Running Grants & Programs: Why Use A System When You Have Excel?

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.

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Why Sustainability Is No Longer Optional for the Events Industry

Event Industry News

By Lee Dalton, Roder UK Many businesses across the events industry are finally waking up to the need for sustainability to be a basic cornerstone of day-to-day operations. However, there are still some who only pay lip service without meaningful or genuine action.

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Effective communication: 8 tips for delivering clear messages with empathy and respect

AMG

This article was originally published on June 6, 2025 by Jennifer Miller for Community Association Institute as a contribution. In this era of unpredictability and high stress, effective communication — paired with its thoughtful planning and execution — is a core skill that can help smooth the path for community association board members, managers, and residents.

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Member Satisfaction Score: What It Is, How to Measure It and Improve Results

MemberClicks

As a member-based organization or association , member satisfaction is one of the most important indicators of your continued success. While many types of businesses acknowledge the importance of customer satisfaction scores (CSAT), this guide focuses on more specific member satisfaction scores. Thankfully, you can apply similar principles utilized in CSAT metrics to make the right decisions for your organization.

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Report: Association Business Models Need Retooling

Associations Now

The study from McKinley Advisors encourages leaders to look beyond small tweaks and think about holistic changes in terms of audience and revenue. A new report challenges association leaders to expand beyond member-focused adjustments and think more broadly about their potential customer base. Business Model Innovation: Fuel for an Association’s Mission was published last month by the consultancy McKinley Advisors.

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Find New Non-Dues Revenue Streams for Your Organization with This Free Guide

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

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Forj Adds Key Talent in Client Success, Product, Data Science and Sales

Forj

Team Forj is thrilled to introduce six exceptionally talented individuals who have recently joined our company across client success, product, data science and sales. Each of them brings deep expertise, bold ideas, and a passion for partnering with association clients to help them realize their mission.

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In a new era for the nonprofit ecosystem, collaboration is key to survival

Candid

Recent federal funding cuts have had a deep and widespread impact on the nonprofit sector. An analysis by Candid found that over 14,000 nonprofits would deplete their reserves within three months without government grants, putting an estimated 2.8 million jobs at risk and impacting nearly every U.S. county. As government support dwindles—for free school lunches, community health clinics, housing initiatives, etc.

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Effective communication: 8 tips for delivering clear messages with empathy and respect

Ungated

Contributed by Jennifer Miller In this era of unpredictability and high stress, effective communication — paired with its thoughtful planning and execution — is a core skill that can help smooth the path for community association board members, managers, and residents. “Communicating effectively is the first basis of any relationship in associations or in any business,” says Wendy Taylor, CMCA, AMS, LSM, PCAM, a CAI faculty member and consultant with Management Matters in Boca Raton, Fla.

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Legislators ‘distraught’ with their own HOAs

AMG

North Carolina lawmakers are advancing companion bills—HB 444 and SB 378—that aim to reform HOA practices by increasing transparency and homeowner protections. The proposed legislation would cap fines, restrict foreclosures, ban retroactive rule changes, require mediation before lawsuits, and mandate budget transparency. It also prohibits management companies from profiting off fine collections and directs the NC Department of Justice to track HOA complaints.

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Forecasting Failures Are Costly: Heres How To Fix Them

Speaker: Dave Sackett

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.

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The Hidden Cost of an Unengaged Member

Elevating Engagement

What happens to an unengaged member? Do they go off into the sunset? Do they benignly go about their days? Are they neutral, neither sad nor happy about their member experience? Are they a single lost opportunity? Nope! According to my research with over 477 members, unengaged members pose a real threat to the health of your organization. An unengaged member is likely an angry member.

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New GCMA Guide Challenges Misleading Crowd Terminology

Event Industry News

Global Crowd Management Alliance® (GCMA) has just published Words Matter: The Language of Crowds, a new guide designed to improve how professionals and the public talk about crowds, especially during and after major incidents.

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More than a third of foundations expect to boost giving in 2025 but outlook remains unpredictable 

Candid

Every year, Candid administers the Foundation Giving Forecast Survey to hear directly from funders about their grant payments and grantmaking practices. The survey is an opportunity to obtain timely data before the IRS releases official figures. The results also inform Giving USA ’s annual report on charitable giving. Of the 6,964 independent, community, corporate, and operating foundations to whom we emailed the survey between January and March, 578 responded (an 8.3% response rate). i Here’s w

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Discover Meetings in Virginia Beach

Associations Now

From innovative facilities to a vibrant, coastal setting, Virginia Beach is an ideal destination for memorable meetings. Where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Chesapeake Bay is the vibrant, coastal city of Virginia Beach, an ideal setting for memorable meetings of all kinds. A seamless blend of affordable accommodations, state-of-the-art facilities, exceptional services, and ample dining and entertainment options create successful business events that attendees will remember.

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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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HOA Summer Amenity Prep in the Carolinas: How AMG Supports Board Success

AMG

As temperatures rise and summer approaches, HOA communities throughout North and South Carolina begin preparing shared amenities like pools, parks, and clubhouses for peak use. Association Management Group (AMG), a trusted HOA management company in the Carolinas, partners with homeowner association boards to help streamline this seasonal readiness. From vendor coordination to budgeting and resident communication, AMG provides administrative support and strategic guidance—so boards can lead with

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10 Mobile App Best Practices Every Event Prof Should Know Before Launch Day

A2Z Events

If you’re an event professional, you know this truth: the mobile app isn’t a “nice to have” anymore. It’s the heartbeat of your event. It’s the digital concierge, networking hub, schedule keeper, sponsor amplifier, and ROI tracker all in one. But let’s be honest. Launching an event app can feel a bit like juggling flaming torches while walking a tightrope over a shark tank…blindfolded.

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Stadium Experience Welcomes Three New Venues

Event Industry News

Stadium Experience has continued to grow its membership in 2025 with the addition of three new clubs joining the not-for-profit association. The new clubs include; Birmingham City Football Club, Millwall Football Club and Wrexham AFC. This follows a record-breaking 2024 with 20 new member venues joining the association, an increase of 38%.