More than 300 association executives from around the world took part in a full day of professional development and networking at this month’s 10th IMEX Association Day in Frankfurt. Delegates stepped back from day-to-day business to discuss future strategies and current challenges with their peers and senior industry leaders. The newly designed programme of events featured various ‘deep dive’ and workshop sessions, covering issues such as trends in technology, the meaning of community in the 21st century, managing change and sustainability as a driver for success.
Social media is fast becoming one of the most important forms of sparking interaction among members. The greater the opportunity for members to share information and best practice, the more value they derive from their membership. We are consistently noting a strong interest in association LinkedIn groups, as professionals embrace the concept of sharing and discussing ideas and challenges more openly. Meanwhile, Twitter remains an important means for disseminating news, valuable tips and advice.
Charities are increasingly embracing social media as a means of reaching out to new and existing donors. While UK charity shops are experiencing record profits, with reported takings up £34m year on year, more traditional fundraising methods have typically suffered during the recession, leading charitable organisations to seek alternative methods of raising money. The answer, reports the Institute of Philanthropy , is social media, which is fast becoming an essential tool for securing donations.
Charities throughout the country are busy tweeting, blogging and creating Facebook apps and social media games, including the RSPCA, Dyslexia Action and our very own J’s Hospice in Essex.