Association News

Associations adding value to meetings in tough economy

More look to outsourcing for expertise and cost-savings

WASHINGTON, D.C. — When times are tough, effective solutions to challenges are critical. Associations simply can't

assume business as usual and expect to evolve to meet tomorrow's demands.  The good news is that the economic slowdown is bringing out more creativity and fresh thinking than ever.

Companies that provide outsource services to associations are proving their worth as organizations deal with reduced budgets and limited staff, yet at the same time are tasked with providing additional value to their members and attendees.

"Even in this tough year, I am amazed at the creative solutions that associations have developed to improve their meetings and other programs," said IMN Solutions President & CEO Jack Sammis. "They are not just keeping the status quo — they are actively adding value because they realize that now is the time to seize opportunities and build for the future."

For more than 27 years, IMN Solutions has provided advanced solutions to associations  in meetings, marketing, communications, technology, environmental programs, and international development, and has partnered with a wide range of associations and other nonprofit organizations to help them achieve their goals.

The company also provides overall management services, including membership, data and financial management, strategic planning, organizational restructuring, and alliances.

Management companies that can boast high-volume purchasing power are uniquely positioned to respond quickly to economic and industry trends, such as declining meeting attendance and exhibitor participation, by helping to reduce financial risk to associations and in many cases, help promote growth.

"The challenges associations are currently facing are providing a tremendous opportunity for companies to respond with a full range of service solutions that fit with the budgets many non-profits are forced to meet," Sammis explains. "The ability of our company, for example, to combine buying power of over $100 million along with innovative and affordable marketing and technology components has proven to be of great value to clients in these difficult economic conditions."

For example, one IMN Solutions client, the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET), recently determined that two leadership events that had declined in attendance included too many cross-over delegates and the events should be combined to maximize value to the members. Because of an efficient and flexible management structure, IMN Solutions responded quickly by helping PLANET combine the two smaller meetings into one large event, handling the contract negotiations and utilizing volume buying leverage to limit potential risk and liability to the association. In addition, PLANET is utilizing IMN Solutions' attendance marketing services to help build attendance at the association's annual meeting in October.

By contrast, another of their clients, the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), saw 68 percent growth at its 2009 WINDPOWER, drawing a record 24,000 attendees to the event, despite the economic downturn. To help manage this tremendous growth, AWEA relied on IMN Solutions' full-service housing solution along with an expanded onsite tradeshow management team supplied by IMN Solutions to produce a highly successful meeting in Chicago this Spring.

"We're excited and optimistic about the future of our industry, of the outsource model and the role our company will continue to play in our clients' success," Sammis says. "In fact, we are advising our clients to extend the booking cycle right now to take advantage of the buyers market that currently exists."

For more information, call (703) 908-0707 or visit www.imnsolutions.com.