June 2, 2024

The Value of Professional Associations to Senior Industry Members

What an honor and surprise from the American Marketing Association to receive this membership spotlight across all their social media and the AMA website. Thank you to those who put this together.

Ironically this year, I have been cutting back on most of my association memberships and involvement as their focus (and for good reason) is to provide information and support to address the unique needs and concerns of the bulk of their membership; the younger generations of practitioners that will take these professions into the future. Between the paradigm shifts in business practice and professional networking in general brought on by digital communications and the pandemic it seemed inevitable. Plus associations investing time and money into programs about senior leadership career members practice and eventual transition challenges, needs and concerns seems by nature of our literal longevity a less than effective ROI.

I actually was approached to have this very discussion with another professional organization leader last year, and was asked for my input regarding association business and marketing strategies to better engage their senior members and possibly be involved in supporting this effort. I provided a short outline after that meeting as a basis for development, only to not hear back after my follow up, kinda proving my point on the subject.

Regardless, I have enjoyed providing ideas, input, volunteering and consulting to associations and their efforts over the years, but as of late it does become frustrating to provide my decades of experience and insights to help organizations thrive when I am already paying to belong to them (and paying for subsequent events on top of the yearly membership fees). It all adds up. This is especially true of those of us who lead smaller practices (unlike large commercial and corporate practices that cover these costs as part of their benefits). We have to carefully evaluate all our marketing expenditures on a regular basis, and as many practitioners start to look at what it means to wind down a practice or transition to consulting, association memberships become less beneficial for all the reasons above. (A subsequent article is coming regarding this subject as it’s relevant.)

I cannot thank the American Marketing Association and the Executive Circle and The International Interior Design Association and Cheryl Durst enough for all that they provided me over the years and for the professions they represent and support.

I especially want to thank SBID and Vanessa Brady and team for continuing to invest in me as a contributor to their organization and from so far away yet keeping me so close and involved as an Executive Board member and friend!