In this insightful episode of The A100 Podcast, recorded live at ASAE's 2024 Annual Conference, host Meghan Henning sits down with Kerri McGovern, Senior Director of Membership at the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC). Kerri shares how ACC is revolutionizing member engagement through innovative tools like the ACC 365 app, a standout success that has significantly improved communication and networking for ACC’s 46,000 members worldwide.

Key Highlights:

• The ACC 365 App: Kerri explains how the award-winning app has transformed member interaction by providing seamless access to newsfeeds, online communities and job board services—all at the members’ fingertips. The app’s continuous improvements, driven by member feedback, have made it an invaluable tool for engagement and career development.

• Innovative Onboarding: Kerri highlights ACC’s forward-thinking onboarding strategy, which breaks down tasks into manageable actions to better engage new members. The strategic use of data collection and email suppression ensures members get relevant, personalized experiences in their first 90 days.

• AI-Powered Personalization: Kerri dives into ACC’s use of AI to enhance newsletter personalization, ensuring members receive tailored content based on their specific interests and engagement patterns, all while navigating global privacy regulations like GDPR.

• Creating a Culture of Innovation: Kerri discusses how ACC fosters a culture of innovation within its team, continuously iterating on member services and embracing experimentation. Whether it’s implementing AI or leveraging behavioral insights from their app, ACC prioritizes staying ahead of the curve.

Join us as Kerri McGovern shares ACC’s journey of using technology and innovation to elevate member engagement and deliver exceptional value, offering practical takeaways for association professionals looking to enhance their own member services.

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• Subscribe to The Association 100 podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube Podcasts to ensure you never miss an episode.

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Tune in for more episodes packed with innovative strategies and expert insights to drive your association forward!

Note: This episode was recorded live on the show floor at ASAE’s Annual Conference, and although we’ve minimized background noise, you may notice a few minor audio glitches.

In this insightful episode of The Association 100 Podcast, recorded live at ASAE's 2024 Annual Conference, host Meghan Henning sits down with Margaret Vitullo, PhD, CAE, Executive Director of the Linguistic Society of America (LSA). With over 16 months at the helm of LSA, Margaret discusses the challenges and opportunities facing scholarly societies and how they can adapt to the shifting association landscape.

Key Highlights:

• The Evolution of Scholarly Societies: Margaret outlines how traditional revenue models for academic associations—membership, meetings, and publications—are under pressure. She explains how the LSA is navigating these challenges while still advancing the scientific study of language.

• Transforming LSA’s Operations: From launching a new website and database to breaking fundraising records, Margaret shares how LSA has made significant strides in its centennial year, while also increasing member dues by 30%.

• Fractal Leadership Approach: Margaret introduces the concept of "fractal leadership," an innovative model based on shared community and responsibility at every level of an organization. She explains how this approach is helping LSA build a stronger sense of belonging and collaboration among its members, staff, and leadership.

• Revitalizing Member Engagement: Margaret highlights how LSA is creating new opportunities for linguists outside of academia through programs like LEXING, which focuses on linguists working in industry, nonprofits, and government sectors. These efforts are helping to expand the society’s influence beyond traditional academia.

• Empowering Committees and Staff: Drawing inspiration from leadership books such as Turn the Ship Around and The Art of Possibility, Margaret discusses how LSA is empowering committees and staff to take ownership of their roles and contribute to the association’s success.

Join us as Margaret Vitullo shares her journey in reinvigorating LSA through innovation, collaboration, and leadership, providing valuable lessons for association professionals looking to adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing environment.

Stay Connected:

• Subscribe to The Association 100 podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube Podcasts to ensure you never miss an episode.

• Follow us on LinkedIn at The Association 100 and OnWrd & UpWrd for the latest in association trends and strategies.

Tune in for more episodes filled with expert insights and strategies to help your association adapt and thrive.

Note: There are minor audio glitches due to background noise from the ASAE show floor. We’ve minimized these as much as possible to ensure a smooth listening experience.

Welcome to another episode of The A100 Podcast, where we’re joined by Stanley Pierre-Louis, President & CEO of the Entertainment Software Association (ESA). In this insightful conversation, Stan takes us through the dynamic world of video games and shares how ESA serves as the voice for the U.S. video game industry.

Key Highlights:

• Stan’s Career Journey: Stan traces his unique career path, from working in media and intellectual property law to leading ESA. He shares how his passion for media, technology, and the arts has shaped his leadership in the video game industry.

• The Role of ESA: ESA advocates for the video game industry and protects its economic and creative contributions. Stan explains how ESA supports its members in areas like free expression, intellectual property protection, and self-regulation.

• Economic Impact of Video Games: With over 190 million Americans playing video games and a $101 billion economic impact, Stan discusses ESA’s research and how data drives advocacy efforts. He also highlights the industry’s substantial contributions to the U.S. economy and job market.

• Advocacy and Policy Priorities: Stan dives into ESA’s top policy priorities, including AI, intellectual property, and digital wellness. He shares how ESA educates policymakers on the nuances of video game technology and advocates for thoughtful, common-sense regulations.

• Collaboration and Partnerships: Stan emphasizes the importance of partnerships in advancing the industry. From working with organizations like the AARP and the American Heart Association to global initiatives that highlight the social and emotional benefits of video games, ESA leverages collaboration to amplify its impact.

Join us as Stan Pierre-Louis shares valuable insights into the intersection of technology, creativity, and advocacy, providing actionable takeaways for association professionals looking to enhance their own advocacy and member engagement efforts.

Stay Connected:

• Subscribe to The Association 100 podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube Podcasts to ensure you never miss an episode.

• Follow us on LinkedIn at The Association 100 and OnWrd & UpWrd for the latest in association trends and strategies.

Tune in for more episodes filled with expert insights and innovative strategies to drive your association's advocacy and impact to new heights!

In this episode of The A100 Podcast, host Colleen Gallagher is joined by Karley Cunningham, big thinker, creative strategist and founder of Big Bold Brand. Karley shares her unique journey from professional athlete to brand strategist and explains how her team helps purpose-driven organizations develop executable strategies that position them as leaders in their industry.

Key Highlights:

• The Athlete’s Mindset in Business: Karley discusses how her competitive athletic background, including being a former professional mountain biker, has shaped her structured, goal-driven approach to business and branding.

• Branding vs. Marketing: Karley emphasizes the difference between branding and marketing, highlighting that branding is about creating an authentic identity from the inside out, while marketing promotes that identity externally.

• The Surefire Strategy: Learn about Karley’s proven methodology for developing a brand that stands out. She explains how her process can help your association identify your unique value proposition, align with your core beliefs and communicate your mission effectively.

• Building Brands from the Inside Out: Karley explains why it’s critical for organizations to develop their brand based on their internal values and beliefs. She shares how this authentic approach creates alignment across leadership and members, ensuring the brand stands out in a crowded market.

Join us as Karley Cunningham shares actionable insights on building a strong, differentiated brand that resonates deeply with both internal stakeholders and external audiences.

Stay Connected:

• Subscribe to The Association 100 podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube Podcasts to ensure you never miss an episode.

• Follow us on LinkedIn at The Association 100 and OnWrd & UpWrd for the latest in association trends and strategies.

Tune in for more episodes packed with expert advice and strategies to help your association stand out in a sea of sameness!

In this episode of The A100 Podcast, recorded live at ASAE’s Annual Conference, O&U’s Meghan Henning sits down with Lou Centrella, CAE, Senior Director of Technology Services at ISSA - The Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association. Lou shares valuable insights on how ISSA is enhancing its technology strategy to better serve its members and support the entire organization.

Key Highlights:

• Building Strong Cross-Departmental Partnerships: Lou discusses the importance of IT being a collaborative partner with all departments. He emphasizes that the technology team’s role isn’t just about providing tools but about understanding the needs of each department and integrating technology into their processes to achieve shared goals.

• Creating a Roadmap for Success: Lou shares his approach to putting together a detailed technology roadmap, ensuring that the association’s tech investments align with strategic priorities. From selecting the right tools to planning for long-term upgrades, Lou explains how ISSA’s roadmap ensures they stay ahead of tech trends and serve their members effectively.

• Modernizing the Tech Stack: Lou details how ISSA has modernized its tech stack, focusing on integrating systems and leveraging the cloud. He highlights the challenges and opportunities of transitioning to more modern platforms, ensuring that both member-facing tools and internal processes run smoothly.

• Prioritizing Cybersecurity: In a digital-first world, cybersecurity is critical. Lou outlines ISSA’s approach to protecting its data and systems, from implementing secure cloud-based solutions to educating staff on cybersecurity best practices. He explains how they are working to stay proactive against threats while ensuring compliance with industry standards.

Join us as we explore the essential role of technology in modern associations.

Stay Connected:

• Subscribe to The Association 100 podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube Podcasts to ensure you never miss an episode.

• Follow us on LinkedIn at The Association 100 and OnWrd & UpWrd for the latest in association trends and strategies.

Tune in for more episodes packed with expert advice and strategies to help your association thrive!

Welcome back to The A100 podcast! In this episode, host Colleen Gallagher sits down with Sean Luechtefeld, Ph.D., CAE, Vice President of Membership & Communications at ANCOR (American Network of Community Options and Resources). Sean returns to the podcast to share valuable insights into the unique challenges and strategies in the world of association management, particularly in the areas of membership and communications.

Key Highlights:

Balancing Dual Roles: Sean discusses the complexities of balancing his dual roles in membership and communications, offering practical advice on how to prioritize tasks and manage a broad scope of responsibilities in a small-staff environment. He emphasizes the importance of surrounding yourself with a talented team and being realistic about what can be achieved.

Advocacy and Active Listening: Sean highlights the significance of active listening in advocacy communications. He shares how ANCOR ensures that the voices of their members—organizations serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities—are heard at the federal level. By understanding and acting on member feedback, ANCOR effectively supports its members in their advocacy efforts.

Adapting Communications in a Changing Landscape: In a rapidly evolving media environment, Sean explains how ANCOR tailors its communications strategy to address ongoing challenges such as workforce recruitment and retention. He discusses the importance of seizing opportunities that arise from challenges and aligning messaging with current events and broader societal issues.

Navigating Social Media Channels: Sean dives into the ongoing discussions within ANCOR about the best ways to engage with different social media platforms. He explores the challenges of adapting to changing user behaviors and the importance of focusing on platforms that offer the most value in reaching target audiences, such as members, lawmakers and journalists.

Looking Ahead: Sean shares his thoughts on the future of membership engagement and communications within associations. He emphasizes the need to shift from selling membership benefits to promoting the overall experience of membership, creating tailored experiences that resonate with diverse member needs.

Join us as Sean Luechtefeld offers actionable strategies and deep insights into effectively managing communications and membership in associations, making this episode a must-listen for association professionals.

Stay Connected:

• Subscribe to The Association 100 podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube Podcasts to ensure you never miss an episode.

• Follow us on LinkedIn at The Association 100 and OnWrd & UpWrd for the latest in association trends and strategies.

Tune in for more episodes packed with actionable insights to help your association thrive!

In this engaging episode of The A100 podcast, recorded live at ASAE’s Annual Conference in Cleveland, host Meghan Henning sits down with Stephanie Denvir, MS, CAE, Chief Member Experience Officer at the American Society for Quality (ASQ). Stephanie shares her strategies for enhancing the member experience through personalization, community engagement and innovative technology.

Key Highlights:

Segmentation and Personalization: Stephanie discusses how ASQ is using segmentation to tailor messaging and provide personalized member experiences. By focusing on the unique needs of their diverse, global membership, ASQ is delivering targeted value to each member.

Building Strong Communities: ASQ's robust network includes over 230 geographic communities and 26 technical communities. Stephanie highlights the launch of a new online community platform, which has significantly boosted member engagement by providing a space for members to connect, share insights and find volunteer opportunities 24/7.

Leveraging Technology: Stephanie emphasizes ASQ’s commitment to embracing technology. She shares how the implementation of a new AMS, personalized email campaigns, and an accessible conference tool that provides real-time translation in multiple languages are enhancing the member experience. ASQ is also exploring the potential of AI to further personalize content and meet member needs.

Challenges and Opportunities Ahead: Looking forward, Stephanie discusses the challenges of integrating AI while ensuring data protection, and the importance of engaging the next generation of members. She stresses the need for association leaders to be open to change and to involve their boards and member leaders in the process.

Join us as we dive into how ASQ is setting new standards for member engagement and leveraging technology to create a personalized, inclusive experience for all its members.

Stay Connected:

• Subscribe to The Association 100 podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube Podcasts to ensure you never miss an episode.

• Follow us on LinkedIn at The Association 100 and OnWrd & UpWrd for the latest in association trends and strategies.

Tune in for more episodes packed with actionable insights to help your association thrive!

Harnessing the Power of Community

Welcome back to The A100 podcast! In this episode, recorded live at ASAE’s Annual Conference in Cleveland, O&U’s Meghan Henning sits down with Greg Melia, CAE, CEO of the Customer Experience Professionals Association (CXPA). Greg shares how CXPA has leveraged the power of its global community to drive significant initiatives and maintain a strong, inclusive culture despite being a small-staff association.

Key Highlights:

Building the CX Book of Knowledge: Greg shares the inspiring story behind the creation of the CXPA’s CX Book of Knowledge, a 322-page resource developed by 77 volunteers. This member-driven initiative has become a cornerstone for both new and seasoned customer experience professionals, providing invaluable insights, definitions and guidance. The success of this project highlights the power of community collaboration and the impact it can have on an association's reputation and value proposition.

Maximizing Impact with a Small Staff: Despite having a small staff, CXPA has achieved remarkable results by uniting and motivating its members around shared goals. Greg discusses the importance of leveraging the strengths of the community, as demonstrated by the creation of 14 books following the CX Book of Knowledge. This approach not only enriches the member experience but also establishes CXPA as a trusted source of knowledge and leadership in the customer experience field.

Inclusive Strategic Planning: Greg emphasizes the value of involving the broader CXPA community in strategic planning. Through a series of Zoom meetings, surveys and a steering committee, CXPA engaged over 1,200 members and non-members in shaping the organization’s future. This inclusive approach has not only informed the association's direction but also cultivated a network of advocates committed to achieving CXPA’s ambitious goals.

Expanding Global Reach and Inclusivity: Under Greg’s leadership, CXPA has grown from a small startup to a global organization with members in 70 countries. He discusses how the association has maintained a culture of inclusivity and belonging while expanding internationally, particularly through the use of virtual events and digital content. This shift, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has allowed CXPA to amplify diverse voices and ensure that all members feel represented and engaged.

Navigating Emerging Trends in Customer Experience: Greg touches on the evolving nature of customer experience and the importance of staying ahead of trends. He explains how CXPA is preparing its members to meet these challenges by fostering collaboration and providing tailored resources. From digital communication channels to personalized customer interactions, Greg highlights the need for associations to be agile and responsive to the changing expectations of their members.

Join us as Greg Melia offers valuable insights into how CXPA is harnessing the power of its global community to drive innovation, inclusivity and member value. Whether you're leading a small-staff association or looking to engage your members more effectively, this episode is packed with practical strategies and inspiration.

Stay Connected:

• Subscribe to The Association 100 podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or YouTube Podcasts to ensure you never miss an episode.

• Follow us on LinkedIn at The Association 100 and OnWrd & UpWrd for the latest in association trends and strategies.

Tune in for more episodes filled with insights to help your association thrive!