Membership, meetings stand strong
Tailored programs help associations keep members on their rolls, despite increased costs Membership is holding steady in many trade associations and professional groups, but CEOs say they increasingly worry about declines in the future. Increased strain on members from surging energy and fuel costs is altering the way many associations are structuring programs and conferences for the future. More groups report that they are enhancing their
Read MoreDeputy Secretary of Commerce to head PCI
Property Casualty Insurers Association of America in Chicago, Ill. is the latest industry group to nab a high level political appointee for its corner office. Deputy Secretary of Commerce David A. Sampson will join the $33.7 million budget association as president and CEO on Sept. 4.
Read MoreLobbying Contracts & Activity
Lobby forms filed today: The Association Of Teleservices International retained Dave Wenhold of Miller/Wenhold Capitol Strategies to address issues pertaining to the Universal Service Fund; a Federal Communications Commission act dealing, among other things, with long distance telecom carriers subsidizing telephone service to low-income households and high-cost areas.
Read MoreRestaurant Association selects new CEO
For the first time in its 88-year history, the National Restaurant Association has chosen a woman to lead the $53 million revenue trade group with about 50,000 members. Dawn Sweeney, currently the head of AARPs for-profit arm, AARP Services, Inc. has been chosen as the next CEO of the industry group, joining barely a dozen woman in Washington who are at the helm of influential trade organizations. Sweeney will start on Oct. 1, 2007.
Read MoreEIAs Board votes to realign
In a move anticipated for months, the board of the Electronic Industries Alliance voted July 12 to dissolve the trade group that dates back to 1924. The board also agreed by a two-thirds vote to distribute EIAs assets and property to its affiliated organizations. The associations headquarters, at 2500 Wilson Blvd. in Arlington, Va., is valued at an estimated $38 million to $48 million, according to sources with knowledge of the buildings appraisal and board meetings.
Read MoreMusicFIRST Takes on Radio, Met With Heavy Static
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), which continues to make national headlines in the battles over illegal music downloads, revamped its efforts June 14 by joining a new coalition. This time, its going after terrestrial radio. RIAA, several performing artists and other associations formed the MusicFIRST coalition (the last letters stand for Fairness In Radio Starting Today).
Read More