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Technology Investment and Authentic Thought Leadership are Requirements for Modern Associations

The inaugural Nimble AMS Association Leadership Virtual Summit offered educational webinars for association executives

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., May 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Community Brands, the leading provider of software and payment solutions for associations, nonprofits, and schools, is proud to share some of the insights from the inaugural Nimble AMS Association Leadership Virtual Summit held May 12, 2022.

This free event featured three educational webinars and provided an opportunity for association leaders to redefine what it means to be a leader of a member-based organization in today's world. The three-hour virtual summit offered insight into challenges facing association leaders and opportunities to enhance leaders' understanding of and connection to today's members.

Employers and association leaders are on the hot seat to provide employees and members with the benefits and experience they desire. Aimed at association executives, summit attendees learned how to effectively lead staff to navigate the journey of today's members and create unparalleled member value, networked with other association professionals, and earned 3 CAE credit hours in the process. The eight featured speakers have over 100 years of combined association experience.

"No question with the younger generation, if you don't have good tech, they'll leave," added session speaker Wes Trochlil (founder, Effective Database Management). "Technology investment is a requirement now."

At the Association Leadership Virtual Summit, in addition to industry networking and opportunities to chat with expert thought leaders and association-leader peers, timely topics included:

  • How your organization can empower members to make informed, life-changing career decisions
  • Managing and optimizing an organization's tech stack to prepare for future success
  • How association leaders can become industry-trusted thought-leaders
  • Professional development skills that will help move organizations forward

Session 1: Technology and strategies to engage and excite today's workforce

Panelists explored technology must-haves and strategies that association leaders need to adopt. The conversation centered on employment trends impacting the association member experience – including the labor shortage – and staff retention, current opportunities to diversify and expand the workforce, and ways that automation can excite and entice members and staff to combat innovation burnout and improve work-life balance.

"Your association can become the foundation from which members plan and achieve a successful career and deliver a high level of career satisfaction. [Career satisfaction] is currently driving the great reshuffling, and people are seeking happiness in their role," said Tristan Jordan, YM Careers, General Manager. "Together with your continuing education program, your best practice sessions, and networking opportunities...you'll become indispensable to the professionals you serve. Providing these innovative programs act as both the compass which points members in the right direction, and the assistance to help them reach the right destination."

Session 2: Own the future: How to prepare your association for success with technology

Embracing change was a big thread throughout the round table discussion, and it featured technology thought leaders who have helped thousands of associations find the right mix of tech to own their future. By aligning technology with an association's goals, and talking about benefits not features, association leaders can position their organization and members for future success with technology.

"Change management must be more heavily applied to associations. It's a complete paradigm shift, corresponding with the evolution of technology," said David Schulman, Associations Rewired, President. "Don't let leadership get lulled into inaction. As you transition to modern technology, remember you're building a garden, you need to seed it, feed it and water it. It's not a sprint, it's a marathon." 

Session 3: How to become an authentic thought leader for your industry

Authentically connecting with your members and staff will help you become an industry thought leader.  "Every interaction with a member is an opportunity to improve the relationship," shared Teri Carden, ReviewMyAMS co-founder and CEO. Compelling thought leadership can also improve the member experience, and authentically connecting with your members and staff will help you become an industry thought leader.

"Ask members what's keeping them up at night. This gives them a voice and allows them to be heard more broadly," said Bruce Moe (Executive Director/CEO of the Missouri State Teachers Association). "Amplify your member's voices through whitepapers, news releases, and case studies. This gives them a platform and brings awareness to what issues your members face."

For more information on association thought leadership, check out the Nimble AMS blog.
Nimble AMS Blog | Industry Trends For Associations

Learn more about Nimble AMS

Nimble AMS, an association management software (AMS) built on the Salesforce customer relationship management (CRM) platform, is part of the Community Brands family.

Trailblazing associations challenge the status quo with Nimble AMS, the most trusted AMS, built on Salesforce. With Nimble AMS and Salesforce, associations and member-based nonprofits increase retention and revenue, drive meaningful engagement, and lower the total cost of ownership. Every customer is always on the same version and the solution is upgraded three times per year, in sync with Salesforce releases, ensuring that all Nimble AMS users receive the latest, hassle-free technology advancements at no added cost to customers. Most recently, Nimble AMS launched a predictive analytics tool, Nimble AMS Predictions, bringing the power of AI (Artificial Intelligence) technology to associations on the Nimble AMS platform through the power of Salesforce Einstein. Nimble AMS Predictions is designed to make AI approachable and easy to implement.

About Community Brands

Community Brands helps mission-driven organizations thrive. Our software, services, and payment solutions power nonprofits, associations, and K-12 schools to engage the people they serve through programs and events; raise funds to enable their mission; and manage their financials and operations. Our family of brands are bound by a common purpose to serve the organizations that make our communities a better place to live. Learn more about our Community Brands solutions for associations, nonprofits, K-12s, and event tech. Visit us at communitybrands.com and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn. 

Media contact:
Jessi Cape
press@communitybrands.com

(512) 861-3012

SOURCE Community Brands