Association-generated data has power to affect markets, benefit members
Industry groups in prime position to gather information; results also help advocacy. If and when the economy picks up steam, a trade or professional associationand its memberscould be among the first to know. Perhaps the early indicators will come from home-builder sentiment, mortgage applications, architectural contracts or surveys of CEOs and economists.
Read MoreAssociations send future elected leaders back to school
Some trade groups offer special classes to help members and public-at-large learn the ropes of campaigning for public office. A handful of associations are kicking off the 2012 election season by helping political hopefuls learn the ins and outs of running a campaign for public office. Groups such as the Credit Union National Association and National Rural Electric Cooperative Association are sponsoring a series of nonpartisan
Read MoreAuto show delivers timely showcase for President Obama
Associations, manufacturers and dealers court Washington, D.C., policy makers with displays of new vehicles and technologies The timing couldnt have been better: A week after President Barack Obama declared the American auto industry is back in his State of the Union address, he was at the Washington Auto Show extolling new cars, new technologies and new jobs.
Read MoreFormer newspaper exec a voice for print in a digital era
Newspaper Association of America CEO Caroline Little takes over trade group in industry hard hit by the rise of the Internet A lawyer by training, Caroline Little made the jump to print news just as many media companies were coming to grips with a new technology that was upending traditional business models: the Internet.
Read MoreGet your moneys worth if staffers travel to shows, meetings
Starting with trip approval, association executives can create a culture of accountability when their staffers are out of the office By Jacqui Cook Look around an association conference or trade show and youre certain to spot a couple of attendees who seem to be there more for fun than for member recruitment or professional development opportunities. While nobody would begrudge them relaxing after a long day, there are some practices CEOs can put in place to ensure business-related travel does not become all play and no work.
Read MoreGroups forming triangle of insurer representation
A new organization has formed to govern a nearly three-decade-old trade group and its infant partner, all three with the common goal of representing their members better at the state level. The American Association of Payers, Administrators and Networks will oversee the 29-year-old American Association of Preferred Provider Organizationsa $2 million-revenue group representing managed care organizationsand the newly created Third Party Administrators Association of America, which represents insurance and benefits claims processors.
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