In our first guest post, IMI welcomes Marc Aronson of the Property Records Industry Association (PRIA). We are honored to have been partners with PRIA since 2003.

514 Strangers

By Marc Aronson, quintessential volunteer, Property Records Industry Association (PRIA)

Right now, of the 571 members on the PRIA roster, I can say I personally know 57 of you. So, if you’re a PRIA member, there’s only about a 10 percent chance that we know each other. Maybe we got to know each other by going to conferences once or twice a year. Of course, not every member can make it to a conference.

The other way we get to know each other is by volunteering. Volunteering is an interesting concept. Some of you volunteer at your church, hospital or children’s school. You build houses for Habitat for Humanity. You paint houses for the elderly. You are a Big Sister or Big Brother. Why do you do this? It’s fulfilling. It’s different. You get to work with bright, caring people who care about the same things you care about.

I volunteer too. Why? Well, just like you, I want to be engaged with bright, like-minded individuals who can educate me, reinforce my sense of duty to society, provide me with insight, and support me as a businessman. I volunteer with friend and foe alike. We learn from each other. There is the joy that I get in knowing I was part of a group project that will do some good for others. I volunteer because I enjoy continual learning. I try to volunteer with people who are smarter and more experienced than I am. We learn together, we learn about each other. Sometimes we argue, but we never go home (or hang up at the end of a conference call) mad at each other. We iron out the details of the project in which we are involved and move forward. There is nothing like doing a good job together, doing it right, knowing that our efforts benefit someone other than ourselves.

Look back at those words. Can you find the word “work” in this article so far? No, you will not. Volunteering is not work. Volunteering is fun. It is an adventure. It is a learning experience. You make friends. You get to know your enemies (and find out that they are just like you; just trying to do the right thing). Volunteering is an opportunity. Volunteering gives you something to look forward to, something beyond the humdrum of your day. It is an advantage you have over others who do not take the opportunity. And volunteering does not “take time,” it gives you time – time to think, mature, learn and grow as a person. As a volunteer, you put in as many minutes, hours or days as you wish. No one can force you to volunteer. But by choosing not volunteering, you deny yourself the opportunity for fun, learning and growth. How many of those opportunities do you find in your work environment now?

A membership organization is composed of volunteers. Without those of us who volunteer our time, there would be no association. At a meeting, board members and committee chairs listed members who should be approached to volunteer. The good news is that we jointly named around 40 members. The bad news is we only named 40 members! We have 571 members today. We really wanted to put your name on the list of bright, interesting, interested members who want to help the association.

I volunteered to write this story. Will you please volunteer to help write the next story? I know you are good at what you do. Research proves that individuals who belong to an association are at the top of their game and are the most successful in their field of endeavor. May we please borrow your insights for the good of all? Give us an hour, a day, or whatever period of time that makes you comfortable.

Do I know you? Maybe. Do you know me? Maybe not. Should we know each other? Absolutely!

-Marc Aronson, PRIA

This post first appeared in PRIA’s member eNewsletter, In Touch, and is reprinted with permission.

Want to know more about association management? Contact us at info@imiae.com to find out more about what IMI Association Executives can do for your organization.

By Stevie Kernick, owner emeritus and account manager

What does it take for an Association Management Company (AMC) to reach its 30-year anniversary?

PERSEVERANCE!

Persistence | Enthusiasm | Resolution | Stubbornness | Endurance | Veracity | Energy | Respect | Allegiance | Necessity | Commitment | Excellence

All of these adjectives, and more, consumed my life during the 18 years I owned IMI Association Executives Inc. (IMI). But it started long before that.

In 1986, the late Barbara W. Short had a vision. She wanted to be the sole owner of a marketing communications firm that also served association clients. Having been a minor partner in another marketing firm, she stepped out on her own without a single client to support the new company. There were five employees and I was one of them, primarily based on our friendship and my experience working with several small state-based trade associations.

I witnessed just the tip of the iceberg of the start-up process and was spared the 12-hour days that spanned many months, the constant number-crunching, pleading with suppliers to lend credit, the thrice daily scan of the bank account fearful that payroll would not be met and bills wouldn’t be paid. All this while using her personal bank account to fund the start-up costs.

The company grew for the next 10 years, with new clients coming and others going while the association clients endured and were the backbone, if not the cash cow, of the firm.

At the 10-year mark, I was tapped to take ownership of the company. Eagerness, uncertainty, excitement, optimism.

I inherited with the purchase a staff of eight energetic and enthusiastic employees. The association clients didn’t balk at the change in ownership and the marketing clients were transitioned to other area firms which could effectively meet their needs. It was 1996 and I was in the Association Management business!

Goal #1…Meet payroll and pay all suppliers on time. Sounds simple enough, but it wasn’t. It took six months to build cash reserves enough for me to sleep at night.

But all the while I, along with the staff, had one single mission – listen to and understand the clients. They don’t necessarily come right out and tell you what they need or want, but if you listen you’ll hear it.

Goal #2 was at least one new client during the first year of ownership. Check! But by only a few days.

Goal #3…A national or international client. This one took a bit longer, but by the end of the third year we had secured our coveted national membership client and we didn’t look back. For a period of three years, each new association client we brought into the fold linked back, in some way, to that first client.

Suddenly, the staff, which had grown to 13, was consumed with the myriad of day-to-day activities required to serve 14 trade and professional associations.

There were successes and failures during the next 18 years, fortunately more of the former than the later. I made my share of mistakes with clients and, certainly, with employees. I hope I learned from them.

I was never a bottom-line-first oriented owner. Of course, the bottom line was important, it just wasn’t the first thing. What was number one was listening to the clients, understanding their needs and providing them with what was most important to them. That concept has served the company well for the past 30 years. Yes, we’ve had clients and employees leave for a “better, more sophisticated,” AMC but we’ve also had clients and employees come back when they realized that what really mattered was working with people who care about the job they do.

First things first – listen and understand the clients and the employees.

When I sold IMI in January 2014 to a trusted, 23-year employee, Linda C. Owens, CAE, I did so with full confidence that the values of IMI would endure into the future. No regrets. No grieving. Only satisfaction in knowing that the future of IMI is in good hands.

IMI turned 30 in May!

 

Want to know more about association management? Contact us at info@imiae.com to find out more about what IMI Association Executives can do for your organization.

 

 

In this new feature, we ask our team members some quick, fun questions to show a little spotlight on the staff that makes IMI great.

Jessica Garrett

Conference Manager

My favorite aspect of association management is:

Seeing how multiple associations operate and getting ideas from colleagues about what has been done and has worked and what hasn’t.

On my desk right now:

• Past conference program guides and registration brochures.
• 20 Year Calendar…a must-have for conference planners!
• Hotel floor plans and contracts for my upcoming locations.

My favorite blogs:

I’m not really into blogs but will I get extra points if I say IMI’s blog?

My media mix:

So I’m big into current events whether it be international, US, celebrity, sporting events…you name it, I’ve read or watched about it!

What I’m reading:

Lately it’s just been magazines but my go-to’s are usually memoirs or biographies.

Who to follow on Twitter/Facebook/Instagram:

Who to not follow…I follow celebrities, athletes, runners, local stores and restaurants, puppy & kitten related posts, funny memes. I even have some friends that I follow. It’s all Facebook & Instagram for me (and Snapchat).

What I do when not at work:

• Running in every run club in town – I enjoy the social aspect and the exercise.
• Being outdoors in some capacity…laying by the pool, hiking, drinks and dinner al fresco.
• Watching basketball and football (during the season) with friends.

If I weren’t in association management, I’d:

I would love to work at a National Park and be outside all day, giving tours, hiking, enjoying the beautiful scenery. On a family trip out West when I was younger, I played “park ranger” for my family and have been hooked ever since. After a visit to Yosemite several years ago, I just can’t ever get enough.

Favorite quote:

Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today. –Benjamin Franklin

For more about Jessica, don’t forget to check out her full bio on the IMI website!

Want to know more about association management? Contact us at info@imiae.com to find out more about what IMI Association Executives can do for your organization.

In this new feature, we ask our team members some quick, fun questions to show a little spotlight on the staff that makes IMI great.

Rachel Owen

Communications Manager

My favorite aspect of association management is:

Ideas and solutions are my favorite things. Working with associations, I not only get to the chance to come up with solutions every day but I’m a part of making those success stories happen. I love being a part of dreams becoming reality through the hard work and dedication of the board members and volunteers.

On my desk right now:

The AP Stylebook (a must!) and the ASAE Handbook of Professional Practices in Association Management. Coffee, water, and iced tea (I’m super hydrated) are nestled in around my TARDIS cookie jar and Batman art.

My favorite blogs:

• Candid Culture – If you want to learn how to “say anything to anyone” this is the blog for you! I never miss a post.
• Member Clicks Blog – Great, simple posts to help associations and other non-profits.
• Jon Acuff – These are hilarious, inspirational posts to help you hustle to meet your professional and life goals.

What I’m reading:

For professional development, in addition to those excellent blogs, I read Associations Now from ASAE and lots of great posts I find on Twitter under #assnchat. For fun, I’m reading Hell is Empty by Craig Johnson.    

What I do when not at work:

I read comic books while watching my grass grow tall from my front porch rocking chairs.

If I weren’t in association management, I’d:

I’d love to travel the world and teach English as a second language.

Favorite quote:
“It does not do to leave a live dragon out of your calculations, if you live near him.” -J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit

For more about Rachel, don’t forget to check out her full bio on the IMI website!

Want to know more about association management? Contact us at info@imiae.com to find out more about what IMI Association Executives can do for your organization.

By Rachel Owen, Communications Manager

In part one of All About Conferences we talked a little about what association professionals should focus on Post-Conference. Today, we’ll go a little more in depth into some good things to include in your post-conference routine.

Ask for Feedback.
If you aren’t surveying attendees after the conference you should be! You can use apps to survey attendees real-time during the conference or you can send out a survey email after the conference. Prepare the survey in advance so it’s ready to send immediately following the conference when the experience will be freshest in the minds of attendees. Also, follow-up with your staff and committee members for feedback – connect with anyone who was involved in the inner workings. They will have valuable, unique insight that shouldn’t be overlooked.

Talk About What Worked.
Now that you have surveyed all of the key players it’s time to discuss the findings. You want to hear from the attendees about what part of the conference gave them the most benefit and then build on that aspect for the next event. Find those highly rated speakers and invite them to return for the next event. Learn from staff which new systems worked well so they can be tweaked and repeated for the next event. Reviewing feedback and really examining what “worked” for your association can help you to better understand your organization’s culture and therefore make future events even better.

Talk About Solutions for What Didn’t Work.
Be as realistic and objective as possible about aspects of your event that struggled and then focus on solutions. Analyze the issue to understand the trouble points, but watch that you don’t dwell on mistakes or devolve into finger pointing. Remember, we don’t have a time machine to go back and make something “right” – we can only work to improve the system for the next time.

For instance, if attendance at a reception was low think about marketing the next event differently to promote awareness, switch the format of the reception to create more interest, or offer prize drawings throughout the event to encourage attendees to linger. If there was a bottleneck at registration, brainstorm with your team how to simplify the check in system or better guide attendees through the process. Find out from registration desk staff what FAQ’s they heard from attendees and be proactive with ideas for how to resolve and minimize those “hot spots” at the next conference.

“The measure of success is not whether you have a tough problem to deal with, but whether it is the same problem you had last year.”- John Foster Dulles, Former Secretary of State

Measure the Wins.
Be sure to measure the wins and keep track of them. Keep historical data from each event so you can compare and show how your association is progressing. Don’t be shy in sharing the association’s wins! Remember the old adage “If a tree falls in the forest and no one hears it, did it make a sound?” Event success is similar. Get the word out about how your event was successful. You need to share those wins!

Here are some “wins” you can easily measure and share:
• Improvement on attendee satisfaction ratings
• Higher attendance numbers
• More participating in certification classes
• Stellar feedback on speakers
• Increased social media activity
• Increased volunteer participation
• More sessions than previous events
• Successfully implementing improvements (new type of session/topic, training, exhibit hall change, app, etc.)

Some wins will be best shared with the board and event committee members, but others should be announced far and wide. Get creative in sharing the wins. Consider sending a press release about all time high attendance, writing a newsletter article praising the hardworking volunteers, or sharing an infographic on social media highlighting the number of people who tweeted about the conference.

Get Started On Your Next Event
Gather up all your notes on those wins and solutions to start working on your next event. As you well know, some improvements need to begin far in advance. Finding a new conference app, revamping the sponsorship system, and adding new educational tracks are just a few examples of improvements that likely will require much research and discussion to get off the ground. Be sure to pace yourself so there is plenty of time to implement your new ideas.

Say Thanks
Take time to thank everyone who helped make the conference a success. Your conference “superstars” all the way down to those who take care of the tiny, often unseen tasks are the legs that prop up your event. Often times we forget to thank people who are “just doing their job” – the registration desk staff, graphics designers, conference planners, room hosts, etc. – but thanking those faithful workers is important, too.

Be specific in your thanks. Thank the appropriate volunteers or staff members for being flexible, dependable, creative, tireless, calm, quick thinking, etc. I like to say, “Praise the behavior you want to continue.”

Want to know more about association management? Contact us at info@imiae.com to find out more about what IMI Association Executives can do for your organization.

 

In this new feature, we ask our team members some quick, fun questions to show a little spotlight on the staff that makes IMI great.

Courtney Smith

Account Associate

My favorite aspect of association management is:

I am new to association management, so I feel like every day is new. I love that! I especially love learning about all of the technology associated with this field. I also love tackling challenging projects. It’s like figuring out a puzzle!

On my desk right now:

Lots of pictures, a mug FULL of coffee, and my giant notebook which keeps me sane.

My favorite blogs:

Right now, it’s Socious and HUG Buzz.

My media mix:

I am always listening to NPR and TED Radio Hour podcasts.

What I’m reading:

Eat. Pray. Love.

What I do when not at work:

I love being outside, so anything that allows that! I have two dogs and an amazing five year old daughter, so playtime is SUPER important at my house! We love board games, outdoor adventures, and going to the park.

If I weren’t in association management, I’d:

Probably be in school learning as much as possible about as many things as possible.

Favorite quote:

“A ship in port is safe, but that’s not what ships are built for” – Grace Hopper

For more about Courtney, don’t forget to check out her full bio on the IMI website!

Want to know more about association management? Contact us at info@imiae.com to find out more about what IMI Association Executives can do for your organization.

 

By Rachel Owen, Communications Manager

Are you ready for “Conference Season”? We’ve compiled some of our best posts that will help make this your most successful conference yet.

Whether you are knee deep in pre-planning, onsite next week (!), or just coming back from another great event, this post is for you.

Pre-Conference

Avoiding Burn-out, Part 1: Self-care and proper planning are crucial to avoid burn-out during hectic times. Check out these great tips to have a smoother, better conference season.
Read: 3 Ways to Avoid Burn-out Before the Conference

Get Things Done: If you’re feeling overwhelmed with your to-do lists and unsure how you’ll get it all done, we’ve got you covered. With some planning and prioritizing you absolutely can conquer that to-do list.
Read: Simple Tips to Complete Your To Do Lists

Packing List: You already know you shouldn’t forget your toothpaste, but what else should you make sure to pack for a conference?
Read: 5 Must-Pack Items for Conferences

Board Meetings: If you have board or committee meetings during your event this is a great opportunity to brush up on some best practices to make sure your board meetings are lean and effective.
Read: 21 Tips for Better Board Meetings

During the Conference

Avoiding Burn-out, Part 2: Even if your event is just around the corner it is not too late to recharge your emotional and physical batteries. Here are some tips to continue your self-care practices while onsite.
Read: 3 Ways to Avoid Burn-out While at Conference and 5 Ways to Save a Bad Day

Theft Prevention: Whether you are attending or managing a conference, remember to keep your valuables safe and protect your investments.
Read: Theft Prevention Measures at Conferences

Communications Strategies: As the saying goes, “Preparation is key.” This old adage is just as true for interpersonal communication as it is for your packing list.
Read: The Gift You’re (Probably) Rejecting, Strategies for Responding to Criticism, and Loose Lips Sink Ships & Client Relationships

Post-Conference

Volunteers: When the buzz of the conference is still fresh on their minds, attendees are excited and open to more of what the association has to offer. Channel that renewed enthusiasm into volunteer opportunities!
Read: 9 Tips to Recruit & Retain Volunteers

Recognition: After the conference, don’t forget to thank your volunteers, board members, and staff. They have all worked hard and a little bit of recognition will go a long way.
Read: The Value of a Handwritten Thank You Note

What are your best conference tips? Share in the comments below!

Want to know more about association management? Contact us at info@imiae.com to find out more about what IMI Association Executives can do for your organization.

 

 

 

Whitney Thweatt, CAE, account manager

Last summer, IMI president and owner Linda Owens shared the news that she had passed the CAE exam and earned her credentials. She strongly encouraged the IMI staff to consider pursuing the certification as well. I’ve never been one to turn down a challenge.

Given the high student success rate, I signed up for the Michigan Society of Association Executive’s CAE online preparation course. I purchased their recommended books, study materials and flash cards, and stocked up on new notepads and pens. I was excited; I hadn’t experienced “back to school” in years!

That excitement didn’t last long.

For several months, association management became my life. Each morning before work, I spent two hours reading, studying my notes, listening to podcasts and call recordings, and taking practice tests. I met with fellow students each week to review the course material and discuss scenarios. We talked about situations I had never even considered during my ten years in association management, much less encountered.

I had to relearn how to study. When attending continuing education sessions and webinars, I listened for new knowledge and ideas that are applicable to the association I work with, however you don’t have that luxury when studying for the CAE exam. You have to be knowledgeable about all aspects of association management, including those you aren’t responsible for in your position. When I ran across a new idea that could benefit my association, I jotted it down, then promptly forgot about it and returned to my reading.

I highly recommend participating in a formal study course. The reading list and weekly calls kept me accountable and discussion with peers helped me to internalize the information rather than just memorize.

On exam day, I was a nervous wreck, but at the same time I knew I was as prepared as possible.

The hardest part? Waiting to get the results. As the two month time frame approached, my anxiety started to build as I stalked the mail man. Opening that letter and seeing that I had passed gave me a complete sense of accomplishment.  All that time and effort (and a grey hair or two?) was worth it!

My journey towards earning the CAE designation has provided me a wealth of knowledge about association management and best practices. Earning the CAE has increased my confidence in my leadership skills and has enhanced the value that IMI Association Executives, Inc. provides to our clients.

I strongly encourage other association professionals to consider the CAE program. My only regret is not pursuing it earlier. Studying for the CAE made me realize there is still much to learn about the profession, even with ten+ years of experience.

Now that the exam is behind me, I can finally review my notes and all the ideas I generated during my reading.

Want to know more about association management? Contact us at info@imiae.com to find out more about what IMI Association Executives can do for your organization.

By Linda Owens, CAE, owner, president

While reading Professional Practices in Association Management, specifically the chapter, Sustainability – Associations as Agents of Change in the Collaborative Economy, written by Richard C. O’Sullivan, I got to thinking about the definition of a “change agent.” After some thought, I would say being an agent of change is about being a catalyst at the right moment or opportunity.

A change agent lives in the future, not the present. Regardless of what is going on today, a change agent has a vision of what could or should be and uses that as the governing sense of action. To a certain extent, a change agent is dissatisfied with what they see around them, in favor of a much better vision of the future.

A successful change agent recognizes the opportunity for change, identifies the best approach, and becomes the catalyst that facilitates that change, whether by design, planning, or inspiration. Executive Directors play an important role in the process as an influential force that drives the necessary momentum to get the ball rolling.

The founder of The Forbes Group, Paul Forbes, once observed, “The reason most strategic planning fails is that people are reluctant to discuss their own death.” Richard C. O’Sullivan reminds us “…that those who have risen to the top of their professions or industries and populate association’s boards usually have the most to lose from profound change!”  Does this explain why few associations and executive directors act as change agents?

An association’s ability to adapt and change is often what sustains them in the long run so as an executive director we should not shy away from being an agent of change! Here are a few quotes on how to make it happen, taken from well-known change agents.

1. “The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking.” Albert Einstein
2. “A corporation is a living organism; it has to continue to shed its skin. Methods have to change. Focus has to change. Values have to change. The sum total of those changes is transformation.” Andrew Grove
3. “Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They’re not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.” Apple Inc. motto
4. “Change has a bad reputation in our society. But it isn’t all bad–not by any means. In fact, change is necessary in life–to keep us moving…to keep us growing…to keep us interested. Imagine life without change. It would be static…boring…dull.” Dennis O’Grady
5. “Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.” Harriet Tubman
6. “Change before you have to.” Jack Welch
7. “Change is hard because people overestimate the value of what they have and underestimate the value of what they may gain by giving that up.” James Belasco and Ralph Stayer
8. “We can’t be afraid of change. You may feel very secure in the pond that you are in, but if you never venture out of it, you will never know that there is such a thing as an ocean, a sea. Holding on to something that is good for you now may be the very reason why you don’t have something better.” JoyBell C.
9. “The voyage of discovery is not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.” Marcel Proust
10. “Your success in life isn’t based on your ability to simply change. It is based on your ability to change faster than your competition, customers, and business.” Mark Sanborn

How are you working within your association to be an agent of change? Share in the comments below!

Want to know more about association management? Contact us at info@imiae.com to find out more about what IMI Association Executives can do for your organization.

 

 

In this new feature, we ask our team members some quick, fun questions to show a little spotlight on the staff that makes IMI great.

 

Katesha Phillips

Account Associate

My favorite aspect of association management is:

Learning the different aspects of various associations as well as interacting with the members and industry volunteers.

On my desk right now:

• Membership recruitment campaign letter templates and preliminary member report
• Photos of my husband and kids and other love ones that I hold close to my heart
• My huge notebook with many to-dos and instructions to reference since I am still learning a lot as a new IMI team member!
• Strengths Finder 2.0

My favorite blogs:

• Girlfriends. Blog (I’m partial since I am one of the writers)

My media mix:

• Facebook/Twitter/Instagram – Guilty Pleasure
• LinkedIn
• Pinterest – for special projects only

What I’m reading:

Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of A Women’s Soul by John & Stasi Eldredge

Who to follow on Twitter/Facebook/Instagram:

• CNN

What I do when not at work:

I am very active in my church ministry, I am taking graduate level classes, I blog once a week (see above for link), I’m a wife and mother (another job in itself) … after all of that I try to sleep when possible.

If I weren’t in association management, I’d:

Be a stay at home mom and homemaker. I hate missing vital moments with my daughter and I could use Pinterest a little more often to play around with different recipes and DIY projects around the house!

Favorite quote:

“We will never be happy until we make God the source of our fulfillment and the answer to our longings. He is the only one who should have power over our souls.” -Stormie Omartian

For more about Katesha, don’t forget to check out her full bio on the IMI website!

Want to know more about association management? Contact us info@imiae.com to find out more about what IMI Association Executives can do for your organization.