Leaders of professional societies and trade associations are facing major challenges today. Powerful economic, political and societal trends are reshaping the very raison d’être of associations and challenging their membership structures, goals and objectives. How ready is your organisation to face the following challenges?
1. The membership model itself is in question
Membership has been the core frame of associations since their inception. But the nature of an association’s membership is rapidly changing, due to the growing importance of social media. Facebook is the largest association today, with over a billion members and anyone can start up a group for free. It follows that associations’ members are no longer willing to pay for the mere privilege of belonging to an association. They want tangible value and real engagement in the association. The positive note? As soon as associations start broadening their views on who are potential stakeholders, the market expands way beyond the traditional membership.
2. Let’s talk private business
Adopting private sector business practices to run associations has become an obvious choice, but the overall impact of a more commercialised approach may initially clash with a mission driven, not-for-profit organisation. How will your association bridge this gap?
3. Long gone are the days of small monopolies
Associations used to have their own niche market and exercised a small monopoly, providing the best info to their members. Those days are gone. With 24/7 access to information and global networking facilities within everyone’s reach, anyone can set up shop and begin serving your members.
prime – an experienced Association Management Company – helps associations understand these disruptive changes and provides them with tangible advice and practical operational guidelines to face the new market realities.
If you are looking to grow your association in the Middle East and would like to learn more about our novel approach to reach out to your members, download our Association Management Company brochure or contact us at one of the below e-mail addresses.
Prime regards
Prime – inspiring meetings
Alexandre Lolliot – Director of Marketing and Sales
M: +971 50 645 9351 – E: alex@primemena.com
Peter Engels – Director of Operations
M: + 971 50 645 9351 – E: peter@primemena.com
If you wish to find out more about prime, please visit our website or contact us by mail or phone:
Alexandre Lolliot – Director of Sales and Marketing
e: alex@primemena.com – m: +971 50 645 9351
Peter Engels – Director of Operations
e: peter@primemena.com – m: +971 56 684 8080
