Last month, I was lucky enough to attend the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) Annual Meeting and Expo in Nashville, Tennessee. Even though it was my first time attending the conference, the anticipatory electricity was mutually felt by my fellow attendees and exhibitors with it being the major first in-person event since the pandemic. I found the four-day weekend to be full of new findings and simultaneously nostalgic rediscoveries. Here are the 3 major points I took away from ASAE22:
1. The AMS/CRM Transition Problem
Throughout the weekend, Plutus Co-Founder, Alex, and I spoke with many different individuals about their work and the AMS/CRM platforms they utilize to achieve their goals. For some, this topic brought up feelings of tension and disappointment. When asked specifically about their current situation with their AMS/CRM, some individuals stated that they had recently acquired new software but didn’t know where to start and some stated that this process had been in the works for quite some time without seeing the desired effects from the new software. Many individuals mentioned how poorly their transition was going, how difficult they were finding the process, and how disappointed they were with the product because of it. Whether the transition is just beginning, ongoing, or complete, switching AMS/CRM platforms can be disruptive and overwhelming for many. This recurring sentiment highlighted the importance of good patience and understanding when taking on this process and helping those with the implementation of the new AMS/CRM platforms. For those whose technological intuition might not be so high or whose coding experience is none, having a graceful, helping hand can make all the difference in switching AMS/CRM platforms. This process is not easy, and it is important to get quality help when needed.
2. The Importance of Building Community
While having the privilege of meeting with clients and partners throughout the weekend, Alex and I also had the pleasure of meeting new associates. These simple connections elucidated that building strong relationships and communities in a post-pandemic society is critical. Associations by nature strive to create and support target communities. And thus, this ecosystem has created a larger “association” of professionals within the space. Meeting with peers of similar mission-driven associations and association-support organizations at ASAE illuminated a network of like-minded individuals which already existed but was hidden behind a wall of inaccessibility. Conferences like ASAE22 are fabulous opportunities to engage with distant peers as well as build your community with new-found friends. If you are unable to attend conferences, or once the meeting inevitably ends, social networking tools like LinkedIn are great methods for maintaining relationships and upholding a strong sense of community at home.
3. Association folks are the best!
Over my long weekend as ASAE22, I kept coming back to the same thought: Everyone here is so nice. This statement is often used as one of default when describing an individual with no other notable characteristics, but in this case I mean it sincerely! Whether it was someone I sat next to in a speaker session or someone I bumped into in the Expo Hall, I walked away from every interaction saying to myself, “they were so nice!” I don’t think I am alone in this feeling. As many of the people I met at ASAE22 have been in the association space for long portions of their career, I wonder if this is the main reason that keeps them coming back. Being around so many kind and genuine individuals supported the positive notion that the association space is full of good people trying to do good things. And in the end, that is what made ASAE22 an event to remember.