Successful Associations Today Podcast
Mary Byers takes a bold, no-nonsense look at the realities of today’s marketplace and what it will take for associations to prosper moving forward. She addresses not only the challenges associations face but the actions essential to a thriving future. As host of the interview series Successful Associations Today, Mary helps associations remain relevant in an increasingly competitive environment. The author of Race for Relevance: 5 Radical Changes for Associations and Road to Relevance: 5 Strategies for Competitive Associations, she’s worked with a wide variety of associations (both individual membership and trade groups) and helps volunteer leaders and staff alike create a viable and sustainable future.
Ep #30: Arianna Rehak & Amanda Kaiser – Successful Virtual Events
Virtual is very different than in-person and creating a space that's engaging, interactive, intentional and easy to access by members is crucial. In this episode we get tips, ideas and advice from two industry experts on successful virtual events.
Ep #29: Dave Lutz & Sarah Michel – In-Person Meetings Go Virtual [Part 2]
Dave Lutz and Sarah Michel of Velvet Chainsaw share best practices for transferring in-person events to a virtual platform in a way that includes interaction and keeping participants engaged.
Ep #28: Dave Lutz & Sarah Michel – In-Person Meetings Go Virtual [Part 1]
Dave Lutz and Sarah Michel of Velvet Chainsaw share what associations should be thinking about as cancellation decisions have to be made for in-person meetings and the opportunities of moving to a virtual event.
Ep #27: Let’s Talk About Grief
No grief is insignificant. Grief is grief. Large losses leave us wondering how we’ll make it. But small losses add up, too. And continual small losses, such as what we’re experiencing as a result of COVID-19, have a cumulative impact.
Ep #26: A Love Letter to Associations
I’ve been proud to hear the names of associations in daily news briefings and to see the work they are doing. I’m also hearing wonderful things about the staff members who are pivoting, innovating, and scrambling. We're noticing and applauding you.
Ep #25: Resilience Amid Unexpected Crisis
I usually have a guest discussing something noteworthy his or her association is doing. Not this time. I’m recording today in the midst of the Corona Virus, inviting you to lean into this by asking four essential questions.
Ep #24: Ed Wojcicki – Embracing Difficult Conversations
Ed Wojcicki, Executive Director, Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police and I talked about the counter-intuitive strategy of running toward difficult conversations rather than away from them.
Ep #23: Cathy Burns – Revenue Diversification [Part 2]
Like many associations, the Produce Marketing Association generates a large portion of its revenue from a few large annual events. What if something happens that affects meeting participation and attendance? You need a plan to help diversify revenue.
Ep #22: Cathy Burns – What Are Your Association’s Core Values? [Part 1]
As part of the strategic planning process, the Produce Marketing Assn. set a vision and a mission, but to ultimately realize that vision they knew it had to be grounded foundationally in some core values.