Blog
Offer an Unforgettable Conference Experience—6 Practical Tips
With today’s tech, associations can easily host meetings online. Yet face-to-face conferences continue to be popular. Why? It’s about the experience. A conference can transport attendees to new locations and offer extraordinary activities and opportunities. If you want to host a successful conference, focus on the attendee’s experience. Here are six practical ways to…
Read More5 Simple Steps to Improve Your Board’s Decision Making
Association boards of directors face many tough decisions. After all, the direction of the organization rests in their hands. To make things more complicated, board members have to collaborate to make decisions. That can be a challenge in itself! If you serve on a board that struggles with decision-making, try this five-step process. A structured…
Read MoreHow to Boost Conference Attendance—Three Easy Ways
If you run an association, you understand the importance of conferences. Not only do they connect your members, they’re often an important source of revenue. So, if conference attendance is lagging, your association might be in trouble. Let’s fix that. Here are three simple ways to boost attendance at your next conference.
Read MoreWhat you Need to Know Before Hiring an AMC and How to Prepare your Organization
It can be tough to think about opening your doors to an association management company (AMC) for your organization. But when played right, association management companies are a valuable asset to provide solutions and increase revenue. This is particularly helpful if your company is experiencing growth and could use an extra lift to its internal…
Read MoreSocial Media: Engage!
Does Your Association Need Social Media? We’ll cut to the chase: the answer is yes! Some of our clients are initially resistant to starting a social media program for their association. Some think their demographic isn’t on social media. Others say that they’ve been fine without social media, so why change? But the truth is,…
Read MoreFind Your Banana Moment
By Laura Spencer Has a unique perspective or enlightening idea ever inspired you to change the way you do things? That kind of insight is as important in business as it is in broader life. Some people refer to those perspective-shifting experiences as “aha moments,” but for me they’re “banana moments.” I know, I know—it…
Read MoreMeet Susan Martins, Controller & Office Manager
Susan Martins joined The Markens Group in October of 2008. Her role as Controller and Office Manager, she manages the accounting, event planning, training, and office for TMG. 1. How long have you been working in your field? 32 years 2. What are you most passionate about professionally? Personally? Professionally: getting the job done right…
Read MoreIt’s the Most Generous Time of the Year
Many holiday stories center around charity. They call for those with greater means to take in the poor from the cold, feed the hungry, and share prosperity during the long winter months. Just think of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, where Ebenezer Scrooge ultimately changes his miserly ways and opens his heart and pocketbook to…
Read MoreDon’t Rough Up the Mic: Tips for Awesome Presentations
By Laura Spencer, Member Services Coordinator Speaking at association conferences can be daunting—especially for those of us who don’t do it every day. Beyond preparing the material, there are a number of audio, visual, and logistical considerations that can truly make or break a presentation.
Read MoreMeet Kate Smith, Member Services Coordinator
Kate Smith joined The Markens Group in May of 2017. Her Roll as Member Services Coordinator is to support all client activities, database management & collaborate with staff on different projects. 1. How long have you been working in your field? I’ve been in association management for 3 years, with a background in operations management.…
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