Membership

The AIPC Annual Conference held in Budapest earlier this month was testament to how an association can involve its younger members, when its so-called Future Shapers, divided into two teams of seven young professionals, pitched their solutions to the challenges faced by the convention centre management industry.

Sébastien Desmet, Head of Membership at UITP, the International Association of Public Transport, makes the case for growing the organization around those who make it what it is: the members. Today, UITP is in the process of building a people-centric approach, focused on a more personable membership experience.

Richard Kensett, commercial director at Explori, explains how drawing on data to measure the impact of events on audiences’ engagement can lead to better and more financially attractive events, and enhanced membership value.

For AC Forum, Carola van der Hoeff, COO and Congress Director of the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) and President Elect of AC Forum, explores the lessons learnt and lessons still to be learnt when it comes to understanding and engaging association members.

For ESAE, Angela Guillemet looks at associations that have performed well and successfully attracted, retained and engaged members.

For ESAE, Mohamed Mezghani, Secretary General, International Association of Public Transport (UITP), makes the case for a member-intimate organization, the only way for associations in general to stay relevant.

International association public affairs and advocacy specialist Tommy Goodwin identifies examples of association collaboration and innovation that have met the moment and delivered new types of value during difficult circumstances.

Charlotte Gentry, Founder and CEO of Pure Events and EVCOM board chair, recalls how the merger of two associations led to genuine success and long-standing sustainability.

The shutting down of business events has caused devastating losses to member organisations. But by strategically focusing on all three legs of the ‘perfect marketing trifecta’, associations can only thrive, argues Rupert Darrington.

Franco Viviani, former President of the International Council for Physical Activity and Fitness Research, reflects on the rise of the phygital, which is supposed to bring the best of both worlds – but at what costs?

Reflecting from Manila, Octavio ‘Bobby’ Peralta, CEO & Founder of the Philippine Council of Associations and Association Executives (PCAAE), gives the highlights of a webinar he just organized for his members.

Iain Bitran, Executive Director of the International Society for Professional Innovation Management (ISPIM) shares with Boardroom the challenge - and the success - of transforming a physical conference into a highly-engaging digital meeting.

Prague-based company C-IN explores the ways in which a good communication plan can help grow your membership base.

Just as Facebook and Instagram build communities based on engagement, associations can adopt more casual modes of communication that encourage dialogue.

Attended by more than a hundred delegates, the Associations Summit 7 (AS7) of the Philippine Council of Associations and Association Executives (PCAAE) remains as the biggest gathering of associations and association professionals in the country.

The UIA Round Table Europe was held on 4 November at Crowne Plaza Le Palace in Brussels and was attended by almost 200 participants from 30 countries, 80 per cent of whom came from European and international associations.