About Association Forum

Who We Are

The network that powers the people who power associations.

Chicago born. Industry wide.

You already know the mission you carry. We are the people who help you carry it, and the network that answers when you call.

Become a member See What’s Coming Up

Two Association Forum members greeting each other with a hug at an event

Since 1916 Founded in Chicago

2,500+ Members

Chicago born Industry wide

Member led Volunteer board and committees

A profession is easier with people in it.

Association Forum is where association professionals get better at the work and find the people who make it possible. More than 2,500 members share what they know, from the newest coordinator to the longest serving chief executive.

Bring the question you are stuck on, and you will find someone who has already solved it.

Nine Association Forum leaders standing together at an evening event in Chicago — Association leaders gathered on a Chicago evening, celebrating a year together.

Why Association Forum

What membership actually gives you.

A shorter path to answers

Your question has been answered before, usually by someone two tables away. Membership puts you in the room with them.

Learning you can use Monday

Education built by practitioners for the problems actually on your desk. What you learn here shows up in your work.

A career with people behind it

The people who hire, mentor, and recommend in this industry are members here. You build a reputation in this network, and people remember it.

Our Story

Origin, belief, and the promise that follows from both.

Origin

It started because people needed each other.

Association Forum was founded in 1916 by association professionals who needed each other. Chicago was the natural home. It was, and still is, one of the largest association markets in the country, and the people leading those organizations faced similar challenges and carried similar ambitions. They created space where they could take them on together. They have been doing it ever since, and every year adds to what the network knows.

Association Forum members seated at a banquet table at a gala, from the archives — From the Association Forum archives, and a member session today.

Association professionals in a member learning session, wearing name badges — From the Association Forum archives, and a member session today.

Belief

Associations run on people.

Every mission, every member, and every dollar an association moves through the world depends on a professional who knows how to do the work and has someone to call when they do not.

That is the whole reason this network exists. Not the buildings, not the budgets. The people carrying them.

Six young association professionals at an Association Forum awards gala — The next generation of association leadership, already showing up.

Promise

Known by name, not by member number.

Association Forum exists to power those people: with continuing education that counts, with experiences worth showing up for, and with a network where you are known by name, not by member number. That promise was made in Chicago. It holds wherever association work gets done.

Three Association Forum members at the Honors Gala — Honors Gala night, when the industry stops to say thank you.

Our Brand Promise

Association Forum will provide ongoing inspiration, cutting-edge resources, and a welcoming community for personal and professional growth.

That is the commitment. Continuing education that counts, experiences worth showing up for, and a network where you are known by name is how we keep it.

Artesha Moore, President and CEO of Association Forum, speaking on stage with both arms raised

Our Mission

Why we exist.

To advance the professional practice of association management.

Our Goals

Be the resource association professionals turn to for career learning.
Bring the association community and industry partners into the same room.
Set the standard for tools and best practices in association management.

Our Community

Membership is a room, not a subscription.

Volunteer leaders run the committees. Members teach the sessions. The person who answers your question on Tuesday is someone you met at a reception the month before. That is the part no one can send you in a welcome packet, and it is the reason people stay.

A large group of Association Forum members on stage with their arms raised — This is the room.