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Is Drama Detouring Your Association from Its Mission?

By Adam Natali posted 11-16-2018
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By John and Jacki Davidoff ( This article originally appeared in the March 2018 issue of FORUM)   Last Friday, the board of directors of a prominent organization received a presentation by its law firm following an investigation of employee complaints regarding the organization’s culture. At the report’s conclusion, the CEO resigned, effective immediately—the latest in a string of top executive resignations. Just after those events, we received a phone call from a member of the organization’s executive committee. “How should we ‘message’ the situation?” they asked us, explaining that the party line was that the CEO resigned “to spend more time with his ...
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Podcasting for Associations is Exploding

By Adam Natali posted 11-02-2018
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This article originally appeared in the June/July 2018 issue of FORUM- View PDF By Dan Pietroske   Audio programs for associations are nothing new. In fact, some organizations have been doing them for more than ten years. Recently, interest has been on the rise due to the availability of podcasts on mobile devices and the increased accessibility of the technologies used to produce them. To find out more about how associations are embracing podcasts and audio programs, FORUM spoke with several organizations who are at the forefront of the podcasting trend. The production efforts ranged from staff-driven “do-it-yourself” to complete outsourcing from a vendor. ...
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How the ADA is Increasing Its Non-Dues Revenue

By Adam Natali posted 10-17-2018
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View PDF- (Originally appeared in FORUM- April 2018) By E. Ruth White The American Dental Association (ADA) is looking to shift its revenue model from being predominantly driven by dues revenue to a model wherein a majority of its annual operating budget is supported by non-dues revenue. Sound familiar? If you work for an association, it probably does, since increasing non-dues revenue is among the most important priorities for any organization looking to stay relevant and sustainable. Historically for the ADA, the split between dues and non-dues revenue has been close to 50/50, but since the implementation of its strategic plan, Members 2020, the ...
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Risky Business: Protecting Your Organization From Cyber Threats

By Adam Natali posted 10-15-2018
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View Original Article Risky Business: Protecting Your Organization From Cyber Threats By Courtney Kiss and Joy Merten   Ask the Expert Greg Daniel, CISA, CRMA Senior Manager Johnson Lambert LLP   Greg Daniel, CISA, CRMA is a Senior Manager on Johnson Lambert LLP’s Business Advisory Services team. He is an IT expert with over a decade of experience and holds a Master of Professional Accountancy from Bryant University.   C yber security may not be a top concern for associations, but any or­ganization that holds the personal data of its customers, or members, should take proactive steps to ensure that the data is protected. ...
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2018 “Power of A” Award Winners

By Adam Natali posted 07-10-2018
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In 2009, ASAE launched the “Power of A” campaign to spotlight the resources associations provide for policymakers and communities. Association Forum is proud to recognize our members who have achieved this honor: Power of A Gold Award Winners: The Actuarial Foundation Schaumburg, IL Program: Math Motivators Tutoring Program Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) Chicago, IL Program: IFT Documentary Film: Food Evolution Society of Critical Care Medicine Mount Prospect, IL Program: 2017 Hurricane Response Society of Critical Care Medicine Mount Prospect, IL Program: Sepsis in Resource Limited Nations   Power of A Silver ...
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Dawn Sweeney, FASAE, Announced as Inaugural Women of Influence

By Dan Shea posted 02-26-2018
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CHICAGO (March 7, 2018) — Association Forum is pleased to announce Dawn Sweeney, FASAE, president and CEO, National Restaurant Association as the inaugural 2018 Women’s Executive Forum: Woman of Influence. Being a Woman of Influence is a recognition of her exceptional achievements and contributions to the advancement of the association management profession and society. Dawn is recognized for her tireless leadership as the first female CEO of the largest trade group for the U.S. restaurant industry, National Restaurant Association, with locations in Washington, D.C. and Chicago. “I’m honored to accept the 2018 Women’s Executive Forum’s Woman of Influence ...
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Association Forum and USAE Announces the 2017 Forty Under 40® Honorees

By Aiysha Johnson posted 09-07-2017
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Association Forum and USAE Announces the 2017 Forty Under 40 ® Honorees FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   Contact: Aiysha Johnson, Director, Brand Experience and Marketing  312.924.7030  marketing@associationforum.org Chicago, IL – September 6, 2017 Association Forum and USAE News are proud to announce the 5 th annual class of Forty Under 40 ® Honorees. The Forty Under 40 ® program recognizes accomplished association or non-profit professionals under the age of 40 for their achievements.   "Association Forum is pleased to enter into the 5th year of recognizing 40 accomplished trailblazers in ...
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Association Forum Announces New Partnership with Blue Plate Catering

By Kat O'Connor posted 02-08-2017
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Ashley St. John 312.924.7031 | stjohn@associationforum.org Association Forum Announces New Partnership with Blue Plate Catering CHICAGO (Jan. 4, 2017) —Association Forum is excited to announce it has entered into a partnership with Chicago-based Blue Plate Catering. Through this partnership, Association Forum will make its newly updated and refurbished office and conference spaces available for rent to outside organizations, with Blue Plate serving as the Forum’s official catering partner. Association Forum recently unveiled its new and improved headquarters space, which features modern and ...
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Association Forum and Choose Chicago® Renew Partnership

By Kat O'Connor posted 02-08-2017
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Ashley St. John 312.924.7031 | stjohn@associationforum.org Advancing Their Respective Missions, Association Forum and Choose Chicago Renew Partnership Agreement CHICAGO (July 20, 2016) —Association Forum is pleased to announce that it has renewed its partnership with Choose Chicago, the official destination marketing organization for Chicago, Illinois. Association Forum strives to provide an environment that engages the association community and its partners, and the renewed partnership reflects Choose Chicago’s ongoing commitment to supporting Chicago and its communities. Through the partnership, ...
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Association Forum Announces 3-Year Strategic Partnership with Dallas CVB

By Kat O'Connor posted 12-13-2016
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Ashley St. John 312.924.7031 | stjohn@associationforum.org Association Forum Announces 3-Year Strategic Partnership with Dallas CVB CHICAGO (Dec. 14, 2016) —Association Forum is pleased to announce it has signed a three-year strategic partnership agreement with Destination Cleveland. Through the strategic partnership, Destination Cleveland will sponsor Association Forum’s Holiday Showcase Opening Reception, as well as serve as a Healthcare Association Session & Reception Partner. Designed in collaboration with Destination Cleveland, this program provides association professionals an experience ...
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Association Forum Partners with AssociationSuccess.org

By Jemilah Senter posted 08-18-2016
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact:  Jemilah Senter senter@associationforum.org  | 312.924.7030     Association Forum Announces Partnership with AssociationSuccess.org to Invite Members into the Association Success Book Club   CHICAGO (Aug. 18, 2016) — Association Forum is pleased to announce that it has entered into a partnership agreement with AssociationSuccess.org. The partnership allows Association Forum’s members to participate in the AssociationSuccess.org Book Club.  Under the agreement, AssociationSuccess.org will distribute up to 250 copies of the best-selling book  Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming ...
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Association Forum and Fusion Productions Partner to Deliver digitalNow to the Chicago-based Association Industry

By Jemilah Senter posted 08-01-2016
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Jemilah Senter senter@associationforum.org | (312) 924-7030 Association Forum and Fusion Productions Partner to Deliver digitalNow to the Chicago-based Association Industry CHICAGO, IL (July 29, 2016) — Association Forum and Fusion Productions have announced a unique partnership that provides association executives in the Chicago area with access to digitalNow content. This first-of-its-kind agreement will result in a special collaboration between the two organizations that will deliver the presentation of digitalNow Chicago: Transforming ...
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Association Forum’s Third Annual Forum Forward Event Leads the Charge for Change

By Melissa Walling posted 07-02-2016
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CHICAGO (June 23, 2016) —More than 300 association management professionals came together to attend Association Forum’s third annual Forum Forward ™ event on June 22. The completely reimagined event focused on embracing change and thriving in a dynamic environment, and this emphasis was reflected in a new one-day format and a change in venue— The Geraghty , located just southwest of downtown Chicago in a vibrant and diverse community. The day was rounded out with a blend of three powerful keynotes, energetic education programs and peer-to-peer “disruption” discussions, a CEOnly Summit, recognition of the recipients of Association Forum’s 2016 Honors ...
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Association Forum Announces the 2016 Honors Award Recipients, Prepares for its Centennial Anniversary Celebration at Honors Gala

By Melissa Walling posted 07-02-2016
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CHICAGO (April 5, 2016) — Association Forum is pleased to announce the 2016 Honors Awards recipients. This year, the Honors Award program will recognize four Association Forum members who have made exceptional achievements and contributions to the association management profession. The Honors Awards are distributed during Honors Gala, the signature fundraising event for Association Forum’s Foundation. John C. Thiel Distinguished Service Award Recipients: Carol Pape, CAE, Chief Operating Officer, Association of Professional Chaplains (association professional recipient) Doug Bennett, Senior Vice President of Convention Development, Louisville ...
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Association Forum Announces New Board Members

By Melissa Walling posted 07-02-2016
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CHICAGO (March 31, 2016) — Association Forum announces the appointment of its incoming Board of Directors. The 2016-2017 Board of Directors will take office on April 1. Joining the board for a three-year term are two Regular Directors: Geoffrey Brown, CAE CEO National Association of Personal Financial Advisors Colleen Lawler, CAE Vice President, Membership & Marketing Strategy American Medical Association Joining the board for a one-year term is one Regular Director: Don Welsh President and CEO Destination Marketing Association International Joining the board for a three-year term is one Supplier Partner ...
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Association Forum's 27th Annual Holiday Showcase Kicks Off Centennial Celebration with New Program Components, Highlights Future Industry Trends

By Melissa Walling posted 07-02-2016
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CHICAGO (Dec. 22, 2015) —Association Forum's Holiday Showcase®, which took place Tuesday, Dec. 15, at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, is well-known as the Midwest's largest and most-attended exposition for meeting sites and business services. This year's event brought together more than 2,000 meeting planners, association professionals and supplier partners. It also served as a stage for the launch of Association Forum's Centennial Celebration as well as a new three-year strategic partnership agreement between Association Forum and Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau. And in keeping with Association Forum's promise to "shake up" Holiday Showcase, the event featured ...
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Association Forum to Host 27th Annual Holiday Showcase® and Launch 100-Year Anniversary Celebration

By Melissa Walling posted 07-02-2016
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More than 2,000 meeting planners, association professionals and industry suppliers will come together Dec. 15 to learn, connect, and explore new opportunities. CHICAGO (Dec. 14, 2015) —Association Forum’s Holiday Showcase® is widely considered the industry's best and most highly attended one-day exhibition for Chicago’s multi-billion dollar meetings and events market. Associations in Chicagoland report spending $10.3B annually, which includes $947M on printing, IT, accounting, legal fees, and web design and another $2.6B on conferences, conventions and meetings. Next to Washington, D.C., Chicago is the nation’s second largest association headquarters city, ...
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Association Forum Announces 3-Year Strategic Partnership with Dallas CVB

By Melissa Walling posted 07-02-2016
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Association Forum Announces 3-Year Strategic Partnership with Dallas CVB CHICAGO (Dec. 1 2015) —Association Forum is pleased to announce it has signed a three-year strategic partnership agreement with Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau. The strategic partnership is the first of its kind for Association Forum and is developed to support unconventional educational experiences that will push and provoke members through experimentation and design thinking. The partnership will provide Dallas with expanded reach and visibility in the Chicago community, facilitating opportunities to align itself with members through customized programming and greater ...
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Association Forum’s 2nd Annual Forum Forward Event Paves Road to Innovation

By Melissa Walling posted 07-02-2016
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More than 400 Association Management Professionals Attend Conference in Nation’s 2nd Largest Association Market CHICAGO (July 16, 2015) – More than 400 association management professionals joined the journey to association innovation and success during the Association Forum’s second annual Forum Forward ™, June 16-18 at Chicago’s McCormick Place. The event once again featured a completely different annual meeting experience to demonstrate what the association of the future could look like. It offered provocative and engaging keynote speakers, an impressive lineup of non-association industry presenters, a futuristic learning format and an exhibit space ...
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Association Forum and USAE’s Forty Under 40 Awards Program Named Silver “Power of A” Award Winner

By Melissa Walling posted 07-02-2016
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Association Forum and USAE’s Forty Under 40 Awards Program Named Silver “Power of A” Award Winner (CHICAGO ) June 30, 2015 —The Association Forum and USAE’s Forty Under 40® Awards Program has been named a Silver “Power of A” Award winner from the American Society of Association Executives. Each year the “Power of A” Awards recognize organizations that distinguish themselves with innovative, effective and broad-reaching programs and activities that positively impact America and the world. The Forty Under 40 Awards program launched in 2013, annually recognizes from across the nation the 40 most up-and-coming association and nonprofit professionals under ...
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