By Jodi Fisher, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Impact Association Management
Happy New Year! We are only (or maybe already) one month into 2024 and it has proven to be an eventful year for the team here at Impact AMC. The successes and challenges we saw in 2023 led us to develop new processes and grow a truly solid team, preparing us for the exciting initiatives we hope to achieve in 2024.
I am so proud of the meaningful achievements and positive strides our team took forward last year, and I am genuinely excited about what lies ahead in 2024.
Celebrating Success in 2023
Thriving In-Person Events
Our team coordinated and managed a record number of successful in-person association events in 2023!
As we all know, the COVID-19 pandemic required the world to make a dramatic and immediate pivot to an entirely virtual environment. In 2020, Impact worked with associations to quickly transition their revenue-driving events to virtual platforms. In the years following, we helped associations explore hybrid options that followed the numerous safety regulations still mandated to keep attendees healthy.
In 2023, after years of pivoting, the majority of events were back to in-person! Attendees and members could finally connect and learn face-to-face in beautiful venues across the country. Attendee numbers bounced back to pre-pandemic levels, signifying a revival of community engagement.
However, in-person events in today’s landscape were not without their challenges. I am so proud of Impact’s event management team members for the incredible work they did to ensure the success of their client’s conferences, board meetings, social events, and more.
Team Excellence Recognized
I am thrilled to say that a few of our team members received well-deserved recognition for their outstanding contributions to the association community in 2023.
Kirsten Reader, Chief Operating Officer
In March, Kirsten was named a recipient of the InBusiness Magazine 2023 Forty Under Award. This award honors 40 of the most successful and civic-minded young professionals under the age of 40 in the Greater Madison area. Kirsten was selected as a winner of the Forty Under 40 award alongside 39 of her professional peers.
She also received the first ever AMC Institute's Rising Leader Award. This honor is awarded to an individual who demonstrates the ability to accept and execute leadership by providing extraordinary support and service to their AMC and/or clients. Receiving this award speaks volumes about Kirsten’s exceptional leadership and her aptitude for providing extraordinary support and service to Impact and our clients.
Shannon Casey, Association Manager
In October, Shannon was awarded the 2023 WSAE Young Professional Award during the WSAE Annual Summit. This award is given to an individual who is making a difference with their contributions to WSAE, their association, or the association management field. This individual exemplifies the best in association management by continually bringing credit to the profession and the association management community, as well as the profession or industry they represent.
Hannah Lier, Association Manager
Hannah was accepted into WSAE's Association Leadership Academy. This exclusive cohort program, limited to 20 individuals, emphasizes knowledge enhancement, community building, and leadership development for association management professionals. Hannah kicked off her participation in the program in October by attending the WSAE Summit in Milwaukee, WI.
Strategic Partnerships
To further enhance the value we provide to clients, we implemented partner programs with QuickBooks and First Business Bank. These initiatives enable us to offer discounted rates and dedicated customer support, underscoring our commitment to facilitating seamless and cost-effective association management.
Exciting Initiatives in 2024
AI Integration for Enhanced Efficiency
In 2024, we are committed to exploring and leveraging artificial intelligence to elevate our content quality and operational efficiency. This strategic move reflects our dedication to staying at the forefront of technological advancements in association management.
Team Expansion and Expertise Enhancement
The Impact team is set to grow, bringing in additional skills and expertise. This expansion aims to bolster our capabilities, ensuring we continue to provide top-tier association management services to our clients.
Upcoming Partner Program
In the pipeline for 2024 is an exciting partner program in collaboration with a renowned and industry-recognized Association Management System (AMS) platform. This initiative will offer discounted rates, platform guidance, and enhanced customer service via access to an online client community and a dedicated Support queue.
As we reflect on the success of 2023 and anticipate the opportunities of 2024, Impact remains dedicated to driving excellence in association management. We look forward to continuing our journey with association board members and professionals, forging new paths and setting higher standards in the dynamic landscape of association management. Thank you for being part of our success story!
Get involved with Impact
Discover how our team of association management professionals can help your association grow and thrive in 2024 and beyond. Submit an RFP to get our customized responses to your organization’s unique needs.