How membership in associations will look different in 2026

How membership in associations and other bodies will look different in 2026?

Greg Melia, CAEChief Member Relations & Strategy Development OfficerASAE: The Center for Association Leadershipwww.asaecenter.orgEmail: gmelia@asaecenter.org Twitter: @gmeliaCAE

What Is Membership Today?

What are

membership

innovations

are we seeing

today?

The Whitney Museum

Insider Membership Family Membership

The Art of Membership by Sheri Jacobs, CAE

Niche: Same Product, Different Interests

• Admission to curatorial lectures

• Behind the scenes tours

• Quarterly “insider” recommendations on NYC events

• Admission to family programs

• Kids passport• 50% off stroller

tours

• Family guides for major exhibits

Niche Interests: Students

• What are the challenges?– Money– Finding a job– Building a network

• What might be solutions?– Sponsored student dues– Training at introductory levels– Connections to mentors– Helping to find internships/jobs– Connecting to other young

professionals

http://www.aiche.org/

Partnership with industry companies to give students free access to membership and

student-focused benefits

A unique online community created for and by young professional chemical engineers. Learn

new skills, solve challenges, find mentors, engage with other chemical engineers, and gain more exposure to hiring companies.

Core Membership Geared to provide a relevant and immediate response to members' most frequent questions through peer assistance and a sophisticated online knowledge system.

Dues: $250 per year

Premium MembershipAccess to an account management team, advanced business and public relations consulting, customized research, peer assistance, and a professional e-journal.

Dues: $2500 per year

Niche Interests: Varying Levels of Service

AIGA the professional association for design

Niche Interests: Levels of Engagement & Investment

Individual • Build Job Skills (programs & networks)• Manage Your Career (mentoring)• Stay Informed (magazine, e-news)• Save Money (registration discounts,

fellowships)• Make the Case for Museums

(advocacy)

Dues: ($50 - $90)

Museum Membership • Strive for Excellence (standards,

resources)• Distinguish Your Museum

(directory) • Stay Informed (magazine, e-news)• Save Money (registration discounts)• Make the Case for Museums

(advocacy)

Dues: Pay what you can - $8,000

Serving Both Organizations and Individuals

US Chamber Of CommerceFriends

Portfolio of Engagement Options

Members

• Restructured membership model – focused on providing defense contractors access to government employees

• Removed membership dues for government employees – grew membership from a handful to 21,000

• Automated of join process to remove barriers to joining• Allow individuals to join, then sell upgrade to organizational membership• Data-mining & Business Intelligence from AMS enabled segmentation

• Results – Doubled revenue with same staff

Focusing on Business Results for Members

Membership Organizations of the Future will:1. Serve many niches – provide value to demographic and functional niches.

2. Appeal to both individuals and organizations.

3. Create a portfolio of engagement options – from friend to customer to varied membership opportunities.

4. Be results oriented. Membership is not the end goal; rather, enabling meaningful outcomes for members.

5. Leverage technology – to allow for targeted, customized service (and self-service) in cost-effective ways.

Thank you!

Twitter: @ gmeliacae Email: gmelia@asaecenter.org

Let ASAE help you succeed.www.associationsnow.com

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Greg Melia, CAEChief Member Relations & Strategy Development

OfficerASAE: The Center for Association Leadership