Practical tips for new industry associations Mark Dunn Co-founder, Past President, currently Treasurer Midwest Acquirers Association, Inc. USA
Dec 17, 2015
Practical tips for new industry associations
Mark Dunn
Co-founder, Past President, currently Treasurer
Midwest Acquirers Association, Inc.
USA
Purpose, roles, constituents
• Key decisions to be made– What is our purpose?– Whom do we serve?– Structure, management?
• Be hands on• Maintain service mentality• Develop fair policies• Reach out to community
Lobby Ottawa
PCI?
Mobi?Sell,
Sell, Sell
Let’s talk
MWAA• Non-profit 501(c) organization, incorporated 2003, MO• Governed by By-Laws; 7 Member Board, 3 Officers
– President, Vice-President/Secretary, Treasurer
• 7 Member Advisory Board• Non-membership: no dues, no voting membership• Followed format created by NEAA, “conference-centric”• Annual 2 1/2 day conference in July, Midwest city, USA
– 500-550 participants; 1/2 Midwest, 1/2 USA, CA– 250 from 95 vendors; 275 MLS and attendees
• Purpose: “to provide a regional opportunity for training, education and networking in the Midwest acquiring community”
MWAA vs. ETA• MWAA
– Regional US association, non-membership format, no lobbying activity
• ETA– International association, Washington, DC, dialog with lawmakers– Purpose: “to provide leadership in the transaction processing industry through
education, professional development, ethical standards, advocacy, and the exchange of information”
– Classes of members: • Associate• Financial Institution• Service Provider
– Application, acceptance, “good standing”,termination– Voting Representative, Annual Meeting– 15 member Board of Directors, 6 Officers, Committees
MWAA Purpose, Constituents
• Whom does MWAA serve?
Independent Agents, MLS
Smaller ISO’s
Small Vendors
Larger ISO’s
Medium Vendors
Banks,
Processors
VendorsTHE MWAA Constituency
MLS, Agents - ISO’s - Vendors - Banks - Processors
• Educational focus on MLS, small ISO’s
• Networking focus on small to mid-sized organizations
• Sponsorship/business opportunity for large to mid-sized organizations
Our Resources
• Format: studied NEAA, ETA, other organizations• Leadership: Excellent team leadership, members• Sponsorship support: Amex, Discover, FDC,
Heartland, EMS, BluePay, many others• Promotional initiatives: Lifetime Achievement Award• Media support• Educational initiative: FieldGuide Seminars• Circle of experts: Paul Green, Bob Carr, Greg Cohen,
Adam Atlas and many others
Good relationships with the industry media
• Indispensable for getting the word out– Green Sheet– ISO & Agent– Digital Transactions– Transaction World– Transaction Trends
• Events calendar • Non-cash sponsorships• Email, mailings to subscriber• Dialog with the industry
How we work together• Greatest key to success• Hands-on leaders• Volunteer committees, workers• No paid staff• Key behaviors
– Seek consensus– Check ego at the door– Develop priorities, manage by importance– Do not assume: Inspect your expectations– Develop budget, spend carefully– Depend on a good event manager
Finances
• Depends on model you choose• MWAA Revenues
– Cash, non-cash sponsorships• “Golden Wheat”, Event, General, Media
– Conference, other meeting fees• Exhibitors• Attendees
• Have treasurer serve 2-4 years, maintain transparency
• Focus on developing sponsors, careful expenditures
Contracts and Policies
• Watch hotel agreement– F&B: opportunity for over-runs
• Other service agreements– Entertainment, speakers, sponsors, hosts
• Policies– Vendor, exhibitor space– Membership, professional behavior, compliance– Payments, refunds
Tools and Methods
• Web site and brand identity• Online event registration• Permission-based email contact• Advertising• Email blasts, mailings• Chapter meetings• Planning meetings of Board• Site visits• More effective ways to manage our work
Time Commitment
• Provide time estimate– Board member: 4-8 hrs/wk– Officer: 8-12 hrs/wk
• Get time commitment from all• Hold those who commit to responsibility• Manage committee work carefully• Be mindful of unpaid volunteer sacrifice
Questions, Contact Info
• What questions do you have?
• Mark DunnTreasurer, MWAAConsultant, FieldGuide Enterprises, LLCOffice: 262-966-2215Mobile: 414-688-4740Email: [email protected]