Many of the clients we work with are associations, and so we are always monitoring research about the latest trends in associations. The type of challenges our association clients are facing right now are closely tied to the state of the economy. That’s why having in-depth knowledge of the latest research about the economy helps us serve our clients best by being able to create solutions that solve their problems in the context of the economic environment.
One of the sources we consistently look to for research is the American Society of Association Executives. This week they released an update to their Beliefs, Behaviors, and Attitudes in Response to the Economy study conducted six months ago about the attitudes of more than 7,000 association members on the state of the economy and how it has and will influence their behavior.
Here are a few highlights of the report:
- 16.3 percent have participated in some form of association social media, an increase of more than 9 percent from last winter.
- 26.8 percent feel that their employment situation will be better next year, an increase of more than 8 percent from last winter.
- Members are more unlikely to attend association meetings that last longer than one day.
- 35.8 percent participated in association education, training or a professional development program online, an increase of more than 5 percent from last winter.
- 42 percent are likely or very likely to attend an online education program offering by the association in the next 12 months, an increase of 6 percent from last winter.