By Mike Swan, MHQ Membership Manager & Executive Director
Two years ago, MHQ added growth as one of our core values, recognizing that the best way to help our clients grow is to commit to growth ourselves.
Last month, I had the pleasure of attending AMCs Engaged in Milwaukee, a two-day conference hosted by the AMC Institute (AMCI) that brought together over 200 association management company (AMC) professionals from across the country to connect, grow, and learn from each other.
Here are three insights I brough back for our clients:
- AI continues to dominate the conversation. Just like our clients’ conferences, the impact and uses of AI are a constant topic of conversation and education in the association industry. Our colleagues have found so many practical ways to ethically complement the work of their team. A toolkit that was shared for using AI to assist with sponsor prospecting was particularly interesting. With technology accelerating at an unfathomable rate, it’s no longer an option to wait and see. When working with our clients at MHQ, we’ve seen the greatest success when their associations start with practical applications, such as notetaking, sponsor prospecting, and data analysis, rather than trying to implement AI everywhere at once.
- The right technology partners matter. It’s not enough to only look at how we approach our work. We need to look at the tools we use to do it. Our clients’ success is so dependent on the technology they use, and it’s our job as association professionals to stay on top of the latest tools on the market, ensure the tools we use are serving our clients effectively, and that they’re receiving the best price. At MHQ, we don’t prescribe specific technology platforms. Instead, we invest in developing our team’s expertise so they can confidently support the solutions that best align with each client’s goals and unique needs.
- Successful AMCs share similar strengths across their teams: Perhaps my biggest takeaway was a reminder that technology, processes, and strategies can only go so far. Successful associations depend on people who are service-minded, communicate effectively, solve problems, and take ownership. Whether our team is leading strategic planning efforts, managing conferences, or supporting day-to-day operations, these are the qualities MHQ intentionally brings to every client partnership.
One of the unique benefits of working with an AMC is gaining access to a wide range of experiences and perspectives drawn from many different organizations. By encouraging our team to continuously learn, connect, and share ideas, we create opportunities to bring fresh thinking and proven practices back to the clients we serve.
About MHQ
Driven by the vision of a thriving, vibrant community, MHQ is a woman-owned, world-class management company that delivers customized services. Founded in 2013, MHQ has provided association management services since its inception, as well as infrastructure to organizations in a range of industries. We serve professional and trade associations, as well as government and public sector entities. For more about MHQ, visit https://www.management-hq.com/.
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