Are you challenged with retaining members? Experiencing less attendance at your events? If so, it’s unfortunately no surprise. Because of the down economy, fewer employees are receiving subsidized membership and event fees. According to the American Society of Association Executive (ASAE)’s 2008 Operating Ratio Report, meeting registrations account for 12 percent of associations’ revenue, while meeting expenses are 11 percent of their annual budget. So suffice it to say, small changes in attendance can greatly affect any association’s profitability. (You can see more about the affect of the economy on membership here, in another recent study by the ASAE.)

You may be asking, what can we do to face our challenges of retention and profitability? It’s critically important to make sure you’re on the same page with your members and to give them frequent opportunities to share their changing wants, needs and concerns. With this information, you will have the knowledge to consistently have very satisfied members. And online surveys can be a big help in understanding what your members think and how successful your events are without breaking your budget. (See how online surveys have helped this member organization.)

Here are two ways to stay in tune with your members and keep them involved:  

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