What the Association Sector can learn from Our Events Industry Partners: Part 1

The article discusses the common challenges faced by associations in the meetings and events industry and highlights lessons that can be learned from the events industry partners. One challenge mentioned is engaging and retaining volunteers while creating safe spaces for community building both online and offline.

During an event, the author attended a session where member suggestions were given to enhance collaboration and tailor programming to the Canadian experience. The issue of declining volunteer availability and engagement was raised, emphasizing the close correlation between volunteer engagement and member engagement. The author suggested responding to declining volunteerism by creating more micro-volunteerism roles and clearly defining the purpose of volunteer opportunities. Measuring engagement and belonging within the community and the industry the association serves is also crucial.

The article also discusses the importance of physical and psychological safety and a sense of belonging within the events industry and the association sector. Initiatives like Meeting Professionals Against Human Trafficking demonstrate efforts to protect individuals’ safety. The author mentions stories shared during a keynote speech about unsafe physical events, highlighting the need for safety measures to prevent incidents such as inappropriate messages or physical threats. Psychological threats, such as online bullying and discrimination, are also addressed.

The events industry took the lead in implementing COVID protocols during the pandemic to ensure safety. Now, the focus is on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) to create a welcoming sense of belonging and inclusion across all aspects of association engagement. Associations can learn from vendors, partners, and collaborators in the events industry regarding EDI practices.

The article concludes that ensuring people feel safe and included should be a priority for associations, as their purpose is to create a community around a common cause. The hospitality industry is cited as an example of a welcoming industry from which associations can learn valuable lessons.