Event

While corporate budgets for some types of sponsorship declined during the pandemic, funding to support diversity and sustainability programming has flourished, experts say. Associations can more easily find opportunities to partner with sponsors in these areas.

The economic downturn that came with the pandemic led some corporations to cut back budgets for areas they traditionally sponsored. However, two experts say funding for environmental issues and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) has increased, and associations should look for chances to partner with sponsors there.

Despite virtual events being less common before the pandemic, recent research shows that remote meetings are gaining in popularity—because more people have had a chance to try the experience.

Pandemic risks aside, your association may be ready to fully embrace in-person events once again.

In-person meetings are returning. But even if you’re rushing back, take the time to determine who is (and isn’t) eager to meet, and how that might change in the future.

Meetings are back. Ish.

Associations hoping to build value for their members may want to look closely at the experience their industry partners have—because it can have an impact on their members too.

Associations tend to mostly focus on their members. But do they need to give their industry partners more attention?

With many organizations hosting in-person events this fall, association professionals shared what they love about getting together with colleagues and members again after months of pandemic-forced solitude.

Sometimes, we don’t know what we’re missing until it’s gone. But as association pros returned to in-person events, many said they quickly rediscovered that camaraderie that you only get when in a room with people, while others enjoyed the chance encounters that happen in hallways. Read on to see what our colleagues had to say.

Getting a stronger understanding of your audience needs—and the content your organization is already producing—can help you focus your content marketing approach, says strategist Hilary Marsh.

Perfecting the panel discussion can feel like a dark art, but it doesn’t have to. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

Panel discussions—already a challenge to get right—have only gotten more complicated in the virtual format.

But just because panels have a reputation for being a bit dry doesn’t mean you can’t consider new ideas to keep them fresh and vibrant.

(One thing you should consider? Avoiding the “manel,” an all-male panel, something that the nonprofit GenderAvenger focuses on.)

For nearly 20 months, COVID-19-related restrictions have kept international travelers from attending events in the United States. With those bans lifted on November 8, organizations are looking forward to again welcoming international attendees.

There are key differences between burnout, mental health conditions that might look like burnout, and bad days. Knowing which is which can help you better assist your employees.

You never know when the opportunity of a lifetime will walk through the door… or step onto an elevator. That’s why businessman Philip Crosby wrote in his “The Art of Getting Your Own Sweet Way,” that business people should have a prepared speech ready to present their ideas and benefits at any given moment.