Expanding Horizons: Meeting New Association Partners and Attending Competitor Affiliate Trade Shows

By |2024-08-01T13:35:18-05:00August 1st, 2024|

In the dynamic world of trade shows and association industry events, there's always something new to learn and someone new to meet. Recently, I had the unique opportunity to attend a competitor affiliate trade show as a guest, and the experience was nothing short of enlightening. Here’s a glimpse [...]

A Guide to Effective Record-Keeping for Association Leaders

By |2024-07-25T13:18:42-05:00July 25th, 2024|

When we’re busy, organized and effective record-keeping often falls to the bottom of the list. In between emails or rushing from your day job to an evening Board meeting, you save a few important organizational documents in a new shared folder, call it “Misc” (miscellaneous) and call it a [...]

The Value of Association Values

By |2023-06-15T11:14:55-05:00June 15th, 2023|

Young people increasingly prioritize working for, buying from, and involving themselves with companies and organizations that align with their values [1], [2]. Values are important for associations, too, creating the foundation of strategy and providing clear expectations around behaviours and decision-making.   I know first-hand the consequences of not [...]

Lead with PRIDE! – What Associations can learn from observing pride month

By |2023-06-15T10:19:24-05:00June 8th, 2023|

Did you know that June is celebrated globally by many as Pride month? You may have noticed at your local supermarket, an increase in rainbow coloured clothing, decorations and flags lining the shelves. Or perhaps driving downtown, large corporations and small business alike both brandishing window posters and signs [...]

Strong Communications is the Foundation for a Successful Association Event

By |2023-05-11T09:42:46-05:00May 11th, 2023|

Working professionally in the events industry since 2016, my greatest learning has been how essential effective communications is for a successful association event.   Effective communications, and a strong team go hand in hand. It can lead to a more resilient, prepared, and trusting team. When a team is working [...]

The Importance of Fostering Relationships Between an Association’s Board & Staff

By |2023-04-13T10:52:08-05:00April 13th, 2023|

“The unique and multifaceted relationship between the board and its executive is perhaps the most important relationship leading to organizational success or failure. Like the two partners in a skating competition, each side can either bring out the best in the other or prevent the other from skating well.” [...]

Dear Female Association Leader: You are Enough

By |2023-03-24T10:03:28-05:00March 23rd, 2023|

You are a female association volunteer leader who has just taken charge of reviewing and updating the association’s Policies and Procedures. It’s a big job. In fact, it’s the most sizeable project you’ve ever taken on in this role.   You start to question whether you can do this, and [...]

Practicing The Art Of Woo (Winning Others Over) Within An Association

By |2023-02-13T14:47:54-06:00February 7th, 2023|

Difficult people are everywhere. Despite one’s best efforts some people are never pleased. But when they are exhibitors at an association event or tradeshow how can they be transitioned from difficult to champion? Practicing the art of WOO or Winning Others Over can help move difficult exhibitors to enthusiastic [...]

Hiring Interns: How it Benefits an Association

By |2023-02-13T12:47:27-06:00October 20th, 2022|

As an association, it’s important to stay relevant, innovative, and invested in the future of our industry. Hiring interns can help an association do just that by helping to bring in a fresh new perspective, provide additional staffing resources, and increase productivity. It also enables the intern to get [...]

Understanding Your Association’s Budgets and Cashflow

By |2023-02-13T12:39:37-06:00October 13th, 2022|

Budgets and cashflow analysis are important management tools to allow an association to properly manage their performance, allowing them to plan and make informed decisions relating to planning, resource allocations and funding requirements. Preparing budgets and cashflow forecasts can give you a more realistic measure of where your association [...]

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