Who We Are

Founded in 1916, the Association Forum of Chicagoland today serves 47,000 Chicagoland association professionals whose efforts serve 37 million members and 9 million donors. The activities of Chicagoland associations generate $22 billion in global annual economic impact.

Every year, Chicagoland associations sponsor more than 30,000 meetings, seminars, conventions and trade shows in the Chicago area. These events attract more than 2 million attendees.

The Forum is the "association of associations" for more than 1,500 businesses, charitable, civic and professional organizations headquartered in the Chicagoland area. The Forum's 3,000+ members are the CEOs and staff professionals of these national, state and nonprofit organizations, plus vendors of goods and services to these businesses.

The Forum provides essential learning, compelling experiences and powerful resources that advance the professional practice of association management.

Structure and Governance

The Association Forum of Chicagoland is incorporated under the Illinois Not-For-Profit Corporation Act and tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code.  The Forum is governed by a 12-person board of directors and managed by a 15-person professional staff.  The Forum is an independent organization.  Members of the Forum are not members of any other organization, or vice versa, although the Forum does have strategic alliances with the American Society of Association Executives and the Center for Association Leadership.

History

At the dawn of the 20th century, as American was changing from an agrarian to an industrial economy, Chicago association professionals created the association management profession when they founded this organization.  Today, at the dawn of the 21st century, as the world changes from an industrial to an information economy, Chicagoland-based associations and their professionals continue to advance the power of association and their individuals through the Association Forum.

Significant dates in Association Forum history include:

1916
On May 26, W.H. Boyd, field secretary of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, invites 18 "association professionals" to a luncheon at the Grand Pacific Hotel to organize a "secretarial association for the promotion of secretarial efficiency." (Association professionals were then titled "Secretary" of the corporation.)  On September 28, the world's first professional society of association professionals is born when sixteen charter members formally organize the "Chicago Business Secretaries Forum."  Their slogan: "Better secretaries!"

1919
The Forum produces the first salary survey for association personnel.  Average CEO salary: $8,000. 

1920
Forum leaders are instrumental in the creation of the American Trade Executives Association, later to become the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE).

1921
Forum leaders are instrumental in creating the National School for Business Secretaries, now known as the Institute for Organization Management, conducted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.  "Institute" is conducted at Northwestern University under the 1950s.  Institute remains the nation's oldest adult continuing education program.

1930s
The title of association secretary declines in popularity.  The Forum's name is changed to the "Trade Association Executives Forum of Chicago."  Membership is limited to trade association CEOs.

1940s
Emerging from the Great Depression and World War II, American business is unshackled from wartime price controls and government regulation.  The economy booms and the number of associations grows, especially individual membership societies.

1950s
The Forum's name is changed to the "Association Executives Forum of Chicago," and CEOs of the growing professional society movement are invited to join.

1960s
ASAE starts the Chartered Association Executive (CAE) program.  The Forum changes its name to the Chicago Society of Association Executives.  The first full-time CEO is hired.

1970s
Membership is opened to management professionals and supplier partners for the first time.  CSAE forms the nation's first CAE study group and job/résumé service.

1980s
CSAE's focus shifts from social events to education programming for all levels of job titles and expertise in nonprofit management.  The "Ask the Experts," awards, bookstore, foundation, Holiday Showcase exhibition, and library programs are created.  CSAE retains a lobbyist in Springfield.  FORUM magazine is transformed into a four-color tabloid.

1990s
Association 101, career counseling, Information Resource Center, Professional Practice Statements, Shared Interest Groups, Technology Solutions Day, and Web sites are created. First diversity policy is adopted. The organization's name is changed to the Association Forum of Chicagoland.

2000s
The Forum Promise focuses on "Essential Learning, Compelling Experiences and Powerful Resources" in support of three major goals: Improve the Quality of Practice, Enhance the Place of Practice, Ensure the Freedom of Practice. Association Week debuts as an annual celebration of Chicagoland's association community. New educational initiatives, online resources, networking opportunities, expanded advocacy efforts and other entrepreneurial activities contribute to dramatic growth in membership. The Forum establishes its Workforce Diversity Partnership, a commitment to increase the number of diverse management personnel employed by Chicagoland associations.