An Australasian-wide study conducted by Survey Matters into membership of professional associations has found that a stable or increasing demand for professional associations is predicted by an overwhelming majority of members.  This is very good news for the sector.  And in even better news – the increase in demand is more likely to be forecast by young members – despite industry concerns around difficulties recruiting and retaining members in the younger age brackets.

But, there are signs that the traditional model of professional associations is reaching its “use by date”.  Whilst members still join for networking opportunities and the credibility that membership affords them, the study found that their main reason for joining is for access to relevant information - they are looking to their association to be the leading, authoritative source of news about their profession.  Additionally, the study found that members also want their association to promote their profession to the general public and advocate for qualified, accredited professionals.

The findings also show a definite need for clear segmentation in the way that professional associations deliver their messages to members.  Age, but more importantly career stage, plays a big part in how members want to receive information and interact with other members.  “One size does not fit all” was a dominant message that came out of the results.

No longer just providers of member services and discounts, professional associations need to look to the practices of other leading service providers and adapt their strategies to suit.  Members want access to recent, relevant and credible information about their profession, they want quality professional development and accreditation programs that enhance their career prospects and standing within their profession.  The professional association of the future needs to be a journalist, an editor, a digital content manager, a researcher, a trainer and a curator – gathering, synthesising and disseminating quality information and learning resources in a timely and appropriate manner.

 

About the Study

Survey Matters conducted this research independently to meet the need for sector wide research.  Respondents in the Associations Matter: 2013 State of the Sector Study for Professional Associations were drawn from the members of 23 participating professional associations, across a diverse range of industries.   The study was conducted using a quantitative on-line instrument, and was distributed by email only between April 1 and 31 May, 2013 The findings contain analysis based on 7,749 responses, received from a distribution of 48,129 surveys.

 

Click here to download a copy of the Research Report.

 

If you have trouble downloading the report, please email info@ausae.org.au and we can email you a copy.

About Survey Matters

Survey Matters was formed in 2010, and provides a fresh approach to gathering feedback. We believe that the people who contribute to your organisation matter. That their feedback matters. And that their input into your organisation - its direction, strategy and performance - is an integral part of your success. 

Stakeholder surveys provide the most effective way to gather this feedback. When done correctly, the information and ideas generated enable you to develop strategies that increase engagement and retention, improve products and services, create loyalty and build community. 

Survey Matters are the experts in member-based research.  Our Member Surveys are tailored to suit your strategy and objectives and created with the outcomes in mind to ensure we deliver information you can act on.  For help with your stakeholder survey visit us at www.surveymatters.com.au or call us on +61 3 9452 0101.

A number of powerful generation, cultural and economic forces are colliding to create a perfect storm that will make the next 5-20 years some of the toughest ever faced by associations. Associations who don't adapt face a slow decline into obscurity as they are replaced by newer, more innovative, less bureaucratically challenged, less change resistant competitors. While the idea of membership will continue, the antiquated models of recruiting, retaining and engaging members cannot survive in an increasingly challenging and ever-changing operating environment. Our webinar presenter, Belinda Moore, has assisted thousands of not-for-profit organisations with their membership challenges. She specialises in training, motivating and up-skilling boards, staff and volunteers to improve membership performance. This webinar will look at the major trends affecting associations and the actions associations need to take in order to adapt. Join us on Tuesday August 27, at 11am for this special webinar.

The Brisbane Marketing Convention Bureau has made a flying start to the 2013/14 financial year, helping to secure seven new conferences for the city. Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said the conferences would inject more than $16 million into the city’s economy, while bringing 5,600 delegates to Brisbane. Cr Quirk said some of the wins were the result of bids done in partnership between Brisbane Marketing and Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC).

 

He said the winning bids, all secured in July, include:

• Asia-Pacific Model United Nations Conference (2014)
• Australian Lung Cancer Conference (2014)
• Zoonoses Meeting (2014)
• International Congress on Traffic and Transport Psychology (2016).

“These wins confirm that Brisbane is a hotspot for conventions in the Asia-Pacific,” Cr Quirk said. “They’re yet another sign of Brisbane’s emergence as a new world city as we gear up for the G20 Leaders’ Summit in November 2014. “Brisbane’s growing appeal to conference organisers is also reflected in the latest International Congress and Convention Association City (ICCA) Rankings. “We jumped to 56th on the list with 40 meetings in 2012, up from a ranking of 87 with 24 meetings in 2011.”

 

The ICCA City Rankings is a league table of cities based on the number of international association meetings they attract. Cr Quirk acknowledged the role Brisbane Marketing played in helping to bring important conferences to Brisbane. “Brisbane Marketing’s strategic focus of attracting conferences that align with Brisbane’s key sectors has driven much of our recent conventions success,” he said.

 

”Conferences attract thousands of high-spending national and international delegates to Brisbane annually, injecting over $250 million a year into the local economy.

“Over the longer term, conferences also help to attract talent and investment to Brisbane, driving the city’s ongoing economic growth and development.”

 

Brisbane Marketing Convention Bureau Director Annabel Sullivan said the Bureau provided an effortless one-stop-shop of free independent advice and support services to help plan, promote and stage a successful event in Brisbane.

 

“Brisbane Marketing’s services include assisting with bidding for national or international conferences right through to promoting conferences to potential delegates,” she said.

“We also offer a great range of online tools including our recently revamped Brisbane Event Planner, Australia’s only dedicated online city directory.

 

“The planner showcases information about venues, accommodation and services suitable for anyone organising conferences in Brisbane.” For more information visit www.BrisbaneEventPlanner.com.au or www.brisbanemarketing.com.au/conventionsupporttoolkit.

 

For more information on the free, independent advice and support available from Brisbane Marketing visit www.meetinbrisbane.com.au

Electronic funds transfer system company, eftpos Australia wants to donate $2 million dollars to charity - doubling last year’s donation - and it will again ask Australians for their opinion about which worthy cause should get the money. Initially, Australian charities are being asked to submit proposals for the expanded eftpos Giveback 2013 campaign before the August 30th deadline.

Read more at: http://www.probonoaustralia.com.au/news/2013/08/eftpos-ups-ante-2-million-give-away-aussie-charity#sthash.Eds2eJDc.dpuf

On Friday August 2, the Rudd government put on ice Wayne Swan's proposal to put a taxable cap of $2,000 on self-education expenses until July 2015. 

This proposed cap could have affected nearly two million workers, cost the nation $1.6 billion in lost tax revenue and cut national productivity by up to $6 billion – while delivering only $520 million in revenue. Treasurer Chris Bowen announced the cap deferral as part of the Government’s Economic Statement.

AuSAE, as a member of the Scrap the Cap Alliance, have been lobbying against the proposed cap since former Treasurer, Wayne Swan, released the ill-informed policy back in April and are pleased with this government announcement.

AMA President, Dr Steve Hambleton, said the decision by the Government to defer the introduction of the proposed $2,000 cap on work-related self-education expenses until July 2015 would allow proper informed discussion that should lead to the removal of the proposed cap by the next Government.

If you have any questions please contact the AuSAE team on 1300 764 576

Register today for our networking lunches in Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra, Sydney and Melbourne.

Topics include: Boards Behaving Badly, Strategically Managing Workplace Culture, Governance, The Art of Networking and How to be extraordinary at your number one role as a leader.

All Networking Events are FREE for AuSAE members! 

Singapore, 30 July 2013 – In its efforts to continuously drive and strengthen the Malaysian business events industry, Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB) has carved another significant milestone with the launch of Malaysia Twin Deal ++ (MTD++) at a product presentation for corporate meeting & event planners  in Singapore today. MTD++ is aimed to support Tourism Malaysia’s objective to welcome 28 million tourists to the country under the Visit Malaysia Year 2014 campaign.

 

Targeted at international corporate meeting & incentive groups, MTD++ entitles international groups of 50 pax and above to enjoy various exciting value-added support. Following a similar concept as the MTD Programme, MTD++ maintains the approach of Deal 1 and Deal 2 which offer rewards for both participants and meeting & events planners. Tailored to enhance the corporate meetings & incentive groups experience in Malaysia, the privileges included in Deal 1 ranges from limited edition welcome gifts, cultural showcase to a complimentary dinner for the groups. Deal 2 offers various exciting rewards for meeting & event planners such as a vacation for two in Malaysia and an iPad mini. This is applicable for meeting & event planners who bring in an accumulative 500 participants and above.

 

In addition to Deal 1 and Deal 2, MTD++ is also collaborating with participating hotels in Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Langkawi, Sabah and Sarawak to provide value added benefits from the properties.  These special value-add items include discounts on meeting packages, complimentary rooms with minimum 25 paying rooms and free welcome amenities. The impressive line-up of participating hotels includes global brands such as Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur, Le Meridien, Four Points by Sheraton, Berjaya Tioman Resort and 31 more hotels.*

 

 “MyCEB would like to invite all meeting & event planners to grab this opportunity offered under the MTD++. Our aim is to provide more interesting options and ideas for the meeting & events planners, which would facilitate them to influence their clients in choosing Malaysia as their next destination to organise corporate incentive programmes”, enthused Ms. Ho Yoke Ping, General Manager of Sales & Marketing, MyCEB.

All confirmed booking must be made between 1 August 2013 and 31 December 2013 for group arrival in 2014.

 

To know more about MTD++, meeting & event planners are invited to contact Ms Jackie Caldwell, MyCEB’s representative based in Australia & New Zealand on Tel +6 (0) 403 892 289 or email jackie@myceb.com.my. Planners can also visit http://www.myceb.com.my/promotions for more information.

AUSAE and other members of the Scrap the Cap Alliance are pleased to announce that the Coalition has shown a strong commitment to education and medical excellence with its call on the Government to scrap the proposed cap on work-related self-education expenses.

Brisbane Marketing’s Convention Bureau invites you to Brisbane City Hall on Thursday 22 August where 58 of Brisbane’s best business events operators will ‘Pop-Up’ for two hours only to offer you tips and tricks for planning first-class conferences and meetings. So what are you waiting for – this event promises great contacts, tempting refreshments and all the insider information you’ll ever need on local venues and event suppliers.

Register your interest to attend Brisbane Pop-Up here.

I am delighted to announce Greg Ward will be entertaining AuSAE members and other association professionals attending the 2013 New Zealand Leadership Symposium Social.

Greg Ward is a professional actor, comedian, musical theatre and opera singer and is one of New Zealand's foremost musical improvisation specialists. Greg's high-energy showmanship and witty comedy is the ideal combination for any conference or event and I personally look forward to being entertained by Greg Ward at AuSAE’s 2013 New Zealand Leadership Symposium Social. 

AuSAE have had a fantastic response to the release of the 2013 Symposium Program. If you have not yet registered for the 2013 New Zealand Leadership Symposium, I encourage you to register today as places are limited. Don’t forget our special EarlyBird rate expires on 15 August. We hope to see you there!