Event Success Without the Stress
Updated: Aug. 31, 2017 | Categories: Member Communications, Goal Setting, Meetings/Events
It is important to address possible shifting trends in planning events and meetings. Over the years, planning events have carried with them different hurdles depending on the social world environment and technological advances.
Specific to local chapters of national associations, three areas of importance are relevant: data, security, and the social climate.
Trend 1: Data is Important, Keep It Safe and Use It Wisely.
Technology is a blessing when it comes to event planning and execution. Association management software allows you to collect whatever data you need for your local chapter to fulfill its mission. Sometimes that data is collected via the chapter website, or other ways such as surveys or emails.
Fact is, associations collect and store a mountain of information about both its members and non-members. Membership software and member management tools allow for association leaders to integrate and sort through the data to use it appropriately. With integrated systems like StarChapter, for example, you can harness the same membership data in other areas of the software, giving you powerful insights into the state of the chapter. That’s a powerful thing to have when you plan events.
In recent times, however, security concerns are on the rise with regard to the safety of the information members provide. Ensuring that your data is protected is important, as well as making sure members and prospects know their data is protected is key to their willingness to provide it. When considering an association management software, ensure the data is safe and secure at all times. If you already use StarChapter, then you are familiar with how we ensure the safety of your data at a multitude of levels. If you are new to StarChapter, then read this article on the safety measures taken by StarChapter to protect your data.
Trend 2: Onsite Security Cannot Be Overlooked.
As the world changes, people don’t feel as safe today as they did just ten years ago. This reality impacts a person’s decision regarding attending meetings. Addressing physical security issues upfront with potential attendees to your events lets them know you have concerned yourself with their safety so they can simply go about their business of attending your events.
Whether it’s a small or a high-profile event, taking the time to follow through with planned security measures is essential. Right on the online registration page, you can list the measures taken to protect attendees, whether secured entrance, security presence, or video recording. You might want to survey event registrants using the Survey Manager to ask them what measures they’d like to be taken to make them feel as safe and secure as possible when they attend the event.
Trend 3: The Social Climate Impacts Local Chapters
The big picture of world events plays a huge role in how chapter management takes place. Whether this involves economic, social, or political global stability, it doesn’t matter. Recognizing this is key. Addressing it is the next step. Make the link between your local chapter and the global environment.
Rest assured, by linking your local chapter to their global impact and addressing the concerns of your members, whether through the association’s newsletter, a chapter website announcement, or with an onsite event presentation, will go a long way to creating good will and increasing involvement.
And isn’t it the point to bring the members to the meetings?
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