The Association Insights Podcast

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast powered by OnWrd & UpWrd, host Colleen Gallagher sits down with Leslie Frazier, SVP of Community and Industry Relations at Virginia REALTORS®, for a thoughtful conversation on leadership, advocacy, housing, and the evolving role of associations in building stronger communities.

With experience spanning political campaigns, state government, and association leadership, Leslie shares how relationship-building, data, and authentic communication help Virginia REALTORS® navigate complex issues like housing affordability, advocacy, and belonging in a rapidly changing environment.

🎧 Whether you lead advocacy, membership, communications, or strategy, this episode offers practical insight into how associations can stay trusted, relevant, and member-focused during times of change.

Key Highlights

The Real Role of Virginia REALTORS®: Leslie explains how the state association supports nearly 33,000 members through advocacy, research, education, and housing expertise.

Advocacy That Stays Bipartisan: In a constantly shifting political landscape, Virginia REALTORS® focuses on relationship-building and housing as a universal issue that impacts everyone.

Building Belonging Authentically: Leslie shares how the organization approached DEI by focusing on conversations, representation, and weaving belonging into the association’s everyday work.

Why Data Matters: From rising home prices to shifting buyer demographics, Virginia REALTORS® uses research and accessible data to strengthen both member value and public trust.

Leadership Starts with Relationships: Leslie emphasizes the power of genuine connection, small touchpoints, and networking as critical leadership skills for association professionals.

The Future Is Collaboration: As housing intersects with workforce and economic issues, Leslie discusses why associations must think beyond traditional silos and build broader partnerships.

🎧 Tune in for an insightful conversation on advocacy, leadership, housing, and why strong relationships remain the foundation of impactful associations.

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast powered by OnWrd & UpWrd, host Colleen Gallagher sits down with Katy Thorbahn, President & CEO of Shiny, for a thoughtful conversation about customer indifference, trust-building, and why the most effective organizations focus less on selling—and more on being genuinely helpful.

Drawing from her deep experience in financial services marketing, Katy shares how brands in highly commoditized industries build loyalty by creating confidence at every step of the customer journey. While her work centers on financial services, the lessons translate directly to associations navigating member engagement, retention, and long-term trust.

🎧 Whether you’re rethinking onboarding, trying to improve renewal experiences, or looking for ways to create stronger member connection in a crowded landscape, this conversation offers practical, human-centered insights that associations can apply immediately.

Key Highlights

Defeating Customer Indifference: Katy explains why many organizations aren’t competing against direct competitors as much as they’re competing against indifference—and why associations need to clearly show members why they matter.

Ruthlessly Customer-Centric Marketing: From financial products to membership organizations, Katy shares why the most effective marketing starts by deeply understanding the person on the other side of the decision.

Helpful Marketing Builds Trust: Being helpful means more than promoting benefits. Katy discusses how organizations can guide people toward the right solutions—even when that solution may not be them—and why “no dead ends” matter.

Confidence Is Built After the Yes: The customer journey doesn’t stop once someone joins. Katy explains why onboarding, follow-up communication, and post-decision experiences are often the moments that most influence long-term loyalty.

Human-Centered Experiences Still Win: At the heart of every successful strategy is empathy. Katy reminds us that whether someone is choosing a credit card or joining an association, people simply want to feel understood, supported, and confident in their decisions.

🎧 Tune in for a practical and refreshing conversation on customer psychology, member confidence, and how associations can create more meaningful, loyalty-building experiences by focusing on what truly helps people.

In this special replay episode of The Association Insights Podcast powered by OnWrd & UpWrd, O&U CEO Colleen Gallagher revisits the very first episode of the show — originally recorded more than four years ago when the podcast launched as The Association 100.

As OnWrd & UpWrd approaches six years in business, Colleen reflects on the early conversations, industry frustrations, and vision that led her and Meghan Henning to build an agency focused on helping associations strengthen communications, visibility, and trust.

While the industry has evolved significantly since this episode first aired, many of the core themes — authentic storytelling, strategic communications, and serving as true extensions of client teams — remain just as relevant today.

🎧 Tune in for a look back at where it all started and the mission that continues to shape Association Insights and OnWrd & UpWrd today.

In this solo episode of The Association Insights Podcast powered by OnWrd & Upwrd, host Colleen Gallagher takes a step back to unpack where AI actually stands right now in association communications and PR.

After months of rapid experimentation across the industry, Colleen moves beyond the hype to focus on what’s actually working, where teams are seeing real value, and where challenges are starting to surface. From accelerating workflows to protecting voice and credibility, this episode offers a clear, practical lens on how associations can use AI effectively—without losing what makes their communications impactful.

🎧 If your team is navigating how to use AI in PR, messaging, or content strategy, this episode will help you cut through the noise and focus on what matters most right now.

Key Highlights

AI Is Accelerating PR—Not Replacing It: AI is making research, drafting, and monitoring faster—but it’s not replacing the core drivers of effective PR: judgment, relationships, and credibility. The real opportunity is using AI to create more time for strategic work that actually moves the needle.

Where AI Is Actually Delivering Value: From faster media monitoring and trend identification to refining messaging and enabling personalization at scale, AI is helping teams work smarter—especially when it comes to staying relevant in fast-moving conversations.

Efficiency That Unlocks Strategy: Behind-the-scenes gains—like media list updates, reporting, and content repurposing—are freeing up time for higher-value strategic thinking, where communications teams make the biggest impact.

What Matters Most Right Now: Use AI to support—not replace—your thinking. Protect your voice. Prioritize strategy over speed. And keep humans at the center of the process—because credibility still depends on judgment.

🎧 Tune in for a clear, experience-driven perspective on how associations can move from experimentation to intentional, effective use of AI in their communications and PR strategies.

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast powered by OnWrd & UpWrd, host Colleen Gallagher takes a step back to focus on a foundational—but often overlooked—driver of association success: trust.

In a landscape shaped by information overload, growing skepticism, and declining institutional credibility, trust is no longer assumed—it’s earned, reinforced, and, if neglected, quickly lost.

🎧 Whether you’re leading communications, shaping strategy, or thinking about how your organization shows up in the market, this episode offers a clear, practical lens on how to build trust in a time when it matters more than ever.

Key Highlights

Why Trust Is More Fragile Than Ever: With misinformation rising and audiences more skeptical, associations can’t rely on legacy credibility. Trust must be built—and rebuilt—through consistent, relevant communication.

The Hidden Erosion of Member Trust: Trust doesn’t disappear overnight. It fades through generic messaging, lack of clarity, or content that doesn’t reflect real member challenges—often long before engagement drops.

Earned Media Is Built on Credibility, Not Titles: Reporters don’t choose sources based on press releases—they choose who they trust. Associations that provide clear, timely, and grounded insights become go-to voices over time.

Leadership Visibility vs. Leadership Trust: Showing up isn’t enough. Trust in leadership is built through consistent, authentic, and clear communication—not polished, one-off messaging.

Trust Is the Real Path to Becoming a Go-To Source: It’s not about being everywhere—it’s about being reliable. When stakeholders trust your perspective, opportunities for visibility, influence, and engagement follow naturally.

Where Associations Should Focus Right Now: From consistency and clarity to member-centered messaging and follow-through, trust is built in the everyday execution—not just big moments.

🎧 Tune in for a practical, perspective-driven conversation on how associations can strengthen trust across communications, leadership, and media—and why it’s the metric that matters most moving forward.

In this solo episode of The Association Insights Podcast powered by OnWrd & UpWrd, host Colleen Gallagher, President & CEO of OnWrd & UpWrd, breaks down one of the most overlooked opportunities in association communications: how to better use the member data you already have to shape stronger, more relevant messaging.

While many organizations focus on collecting more data, Colleen challenges that assumption arguing that most associations already have a wealth of insight at their fingertips. The real gap isn’t access to information. It’s how that information is translated into what organizations actually say publicly.

🎧 If you’re responsible for communications, marketing, membership, or leadership strategy, this episode offers a practical, mindset-shifting approach to building messaging that resonates—and drives real engagement.

Key Highlights

You Already Have the Data—You’re Just Not Using It This WayFrom event feedback to email engagement, associations are constantly collecting signals—the opportunity is using them to shape messaging, not just operations.

Patterns Are Where Messaging Comes FromIndividual data points are helpful, but repeated questions and themes reveal what truly matters to your members—and what your messaging should reflect.

Tone Matters Just as Much as ContentIt’s not just what you say—it’s how you say it. Member behavior shows whether they respond to clarity, urgency, or practical insight.

Your Members Are Your Strongest Messaging AssetReal member experiences and challenges make messaging more credible, relatable, and easier to amplify.

Messaging Should Be a Living StrategyStrong messaging isn’t static—it evolves with your members, your industry, and the conversations happening in real time.

🎧 Tune in for a practical, thought-provoking conversation on how to close the gap between what your members are telling you—and how your organization shows up in response.

In this solo episode of The Association Insights Podcast powered by OnWrd & UpWrd, host Colleen Gallagher explores how leading associations are rethinking their annual meetings—not just as events, but as strategic opportunities to build visibility, credibility, and momentum that lasts well beyond the closing session.

🎧 Whether you’re planning your next annual meeting or reflecting on one you just hosted, this episode offers practical insight into how to turn a single event into longer-term impact for your organization and your members.

Key Highlights

It’s More Than an Event—It’s a Visibility Moment: The strongest associations treat annual meetings as opportunities to shape conversations, strengthen positioning, and lead with purpose while they have their industry’s attention.

Lead With a Clear Point of View: Rather than hoping something resonates, high-performing organizations go in knowing what they want to say, what matters most right now, and how they want to show up.

Capture the Right Content in Real Time: Some of the most valuable content comes from unscripted moments—member perspectives, speaker soundbites, and real-time reactions that feel authentic and engaging.

Showcasing Members Creates Real Value: By elevating member voices and stories, associations build trust, reinforce member ROI, and create a stronger sense of connection and visibility.

Extend the Life of the Event: The best teams use event content long after attendees head home—turning sessions, insights, and conversations into ongoing thought leadership and engagement.

Alignment Makes It Work: Success starts before the event begins. When communications, events, and leadership are aligned on messages, priorities, and goals, teams can execute with far greater impact.

🎧 Tune in for a practical conversation on how to turn your annual meeting into a stronger driver of visibility, connection, and long-term impact.

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast powered by OnWrd & UpWrd, host Colleen Gallagher is joined by Meghan Henning, Senior PR Strategist & Founding Partner, and Christine Stay, Director of Operations at OnWrd & UpWrd, for a fast-paced conversation on the real challenges associations are facing right now.

Instead of going deep on one topic, this episode takes a rapid-fire approach to the situations many teams are navigating every day—from lack of visibility and overwhelmed staff to stalled campaigns, underused member stories, and uncertainty around AI.

🎧 Whether you’re leading communications, managing operations, or wearing multiple hats, this episode offers useful insight on how to focus, prioritize, and move forward with more clarity.

Key Highlights

Stop Sharing Updates—Start Telling Stories: Associations often default to announcements instead of narratives. Meghan explains why storytelling—especially through member experiences—is the key to media interest, engagement, and real impact.

When Everything Is a Priority, Nothing Is: Christine breaks down how overwhelmed teams can regain control by narrowing focus to 2–3 priorities, building clear ownership, and giving permission to deprioritize what doesn’t matter right now.

AI as a Strategic Partner (Not a Shortcut): From repurposing content to generating new angles, AI can significantly reduce workload—when used intentionally. The key: maintain human voice, apply guardrails, and start small with one clear use case.

Thought Leadership Without the Time Burden: Executives don’t need to be online constantly to build a voice. The team shares how to capture authentic perspectives, repurpose existing content, and create a sustainable process for visibility.

Member Stories = Untapped Gold: Associations are sitting on some of their most powerful content. Member stories build credibility, drive engagement, and scale across channels—but only if there’s a system to capture and use them.

Why Engagement Falls Flat (and How to Fix It): If content isn’t resonating, it’s time to step back. Are you audience-first or organization-first? Are you saying something worth repeating? The answers often reveal the gap.

🎧 Tune in for a candid, practical conversation on how associations can do less, better—and make smarter progress with the time and resources they have.

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast powered by OnWrd & UpWrd, host Colleen Gallagher sits down with Alexandra Bradley, President; Kim Howard, CAE, President-Elect; and Whitney Meyerhoeffer, MPA, CAE, Secretary/Treasurer of The Alliance for Women in Associations.

Together, they share how the Alliance came to life, the gap it is designed to fill, and why creating community for women in the association space feels especially urgent right now.

🎧 If you’re thinking about leadership growth, community-building, or how associations can better support women at every stage of their careers, this conversation offers thoughtful perspective and practical insight.

Key Highlights

Why the Alliance launched now: Alexandra explains that while women make up much of the association workforce, they remain underrepresented in leadership. The Alliance was created to offer community, support, and resources at a time when many organizations were pulling back on DEI efforts.

More than networking: Whitney shares why the Alliance is being built as more than a networking group. For many women, career growth is happening alongside caregiving, invisible labor, and shifting expectations—making real community and shared support more important than ever.

The leadership gap women still face: Kim points to sponsorship as one of the biggest missing pieces in leadership advancement. Beyond mentorship, women need advocates who will elevate their work and help create pathways into senior roles.

What early momentum is showing: From strong founding member interest to high-energy in-person events, the response has made one thing clear: this need is real, and women across the association space are looking for connection, support, and a place to grow.

What comes next: The Alliance is focused on growing membership, expanding events, and launching meaningful educational programming and virtual engagement opportunities that help women navigate leadership and career growth in practical ways. 

Building Stronger Association Teams: Wellbeing, Leadership, and Sustainable Performance

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast, host Colleen Gallagher sits down with Johanna Roodt, Founder, Wellbeing Consultant & Coach, Leladijo Consulting, for a timely conversation on what it really takes to build healthy, high-performing association teams.

From burnout and communication breakdowns to leadership habits and practical wellbeing strategies, Johanna brings both lived experience and actionable insight—drawing from her work leading association teams and supporting professionals across high-pressure environments like events.

🎧 If you’re leading a small but mighty team, navigating constant demands, or thinking about how to better support your staff without adding more complexity, this episode is packed with practical, real-world takeaways.

Key Highlights

Why Burnout Is Rising—Especially in Associations: Johanna shares why burnout is becoming more common across teams—including younger professionals—and how always-on culture, small teams, and mission-driven work can accelerate the risk.

The Hidden Signs Leaders Often Miss: Burnout doesn’t always look like disengagement. High performers may actually overdeliver and push harder—making it even more important for leaders to check in and recognize early warning signs.

How Stress Impacts Team Communication: When pressure rises, communication often breaks down. Meetings get skipped, messages are misinterpreted, and blame can creep in—creating a cycle that’s hard to reverse without intentional structure.

Clarity Is the Ultimate Stress Reducer: Clear priorities, defined roles, and consistent communication routines help teams stay focused—even when everything feels urgent. Johanna explains how leaders can simplify without slowing down.

Simple, No-Budget Ways to Support Team Wellbeing:  You don’t need a formal program to make a real impact. From weekly capacity check-ins to time-blocking, flexible work norms, and celebrating small wins, small shifts can dramatically improve team health.

The Leadership Mindset Shift That Changes Everything: Wellbeing isn’t about big initiatives—it’s about daily habits. Leaders who listen, communicate expectations clearly, and create psychological safety build stronger, more sustainable teams.

🎧 Tune in for a candid, practical conversation on how association leaders can reduce burnout, strengthen communication, and create environments where teams can truly thrive—not just keep up.

Resources:

Johanna is offering our listeners an exclusive 50% discount on her self-paced “Certified Event Mental Wellbeing” e-learning course! Use code VIP50 at checkout. Offer valid through Monday, March 30th.

In this solocast episode of The Association Insights Podcast, host Colleen Gallagher, President & CEO of OnWrd & UpWrd, takes a step back to reflect on the evolving role of communications leadership in associations.

Drawing on nearly two decades of experience working alongside associations across healthcare, transportation, finance, workforce development, and professional services, Colleen shares the leadership lessons, patterns, and strategies that separate organizations that simply communicate from those that become the trusted voice in their industry.

Whether you're leading communications, marketing, advocacy, or membership engagement, this episode offers practical insights on how associations can strengthen trust, shape conversations, and position themselves as go-to sources of expertise.

Key Highlights

Seven Lessons in Communications LeadershipColleen reflects on key lessons from her career working with associations—from the central role of trust and authenticity to the importance of strategic focus, crisis preparedness, and leadership judgment in an increasingly complex media environment.

Navigating Politicized and Complex IssuesAs industries face increased public scrutiny and political pressure, associations are being called on to provide credible perspectives while maintaining trust with stakeholders.

The Rising Importance of the CEO VoiceFrom thought leadership to media interviews and LinkedIn visibility, executive leadership is playing a growing role in shaping how associations communicate with members, media, and policymakers.

Why Member Stories Matter More Than EverThe most powerful communications asset associations have may be their own members. When organizations elevate real-world stories and experiences, they humanize complex issues and bring industry challenges to life.

Becoming the Go-To Voice in an IndustryColleen breaks down six factors that help associations become trusted sources for journalists, policymakers, and stakeholders—from proactive messaging and consistent narratives to research, executive visibility, and strong media relationships.

🎧 Tune in for a thoughtful look at what it really takes for associations to build credibility, shape conversations, and lead with authority in today’s rapidly evolving communications environment.

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast, host OnWrd & UpWrd’s Colleen Gallagher welcomes back Louise St. Germain, Interim Executive Director of the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) for a powerful conversation on leadership during transition, global scale, and what it truly takes to maintain stability while building momentum.

After more than a decade in senior leadership at the ISTH—and over two decades in global health communications, advocacy, and crisis response—Louise has stepped into the organization’s top leadership role during a pivotal period. With 7,500 members across 120 countries and major milestones ahead—including the 2026 Congress in Paris—she shares what it means to lead with humility, curiosity, and clarity.

🎧 Whether you’re navigating executive succession, scaling global impact, or supporting teams through change, this episode offers grounded insight for association leaders at every level.

Key Highlights

Continuity Lives in People, Not the Org Chart: Rather than focusing solely on structure during leadership transitions, Louise emphasizes investing in relationships, culture, and mentorship. Succession planning, she reminds us, is a strategic responsibility—not a crisis response.

Leading at a Truly Global Scale: With members across 120 countries, the ISTH operates in a deeply multicultural environment. Louise shares why humility and lifelong curiosity are critical—and why global leadership requires listening before assuming your frame of reference is universal.

Crisis Communications as Executive Leadership Training: Louise’s background in crisis and advocacy communications has sharpened her ability to lead with clarity under pressure—knowing what you know, being honest about what you don’t, and creating enough calm and consistency for teams to stay oriented during uncertainty.

Building Sustainable Leadership Pipelines: For associations planning executive succession, Louise offers clear advice: plan earlier than you think you need to, invest continuously in leadership development, and build cultures of mentorship that create internal pathways for growth.

🎧 Tune in for a thoughtful, energizing conversation on stewardship, stability, global collaboration, and how association leaders can guide organizations confidently through moments of change.

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast, host Meghan Henning sits down with OnWrd & UpWrd’s Account Director, Roger Hughlett, for a candid, wide-ranging conversation on media, messaging, and what associations need to understand about today’s newsroom realities.

With more than two decades of experience spanning journalism, editorial leadership, association communications, and corporate strategy—including senior roles at CompTIA and the Wireless Infrastructure Association—Roger has seen communications from every angle: reporter, editor, in-house leader, and now agency partner.

🎧 Whether you’re pitching a story, aligning with government affairs, or evaluating your agency relationship, this episode offers practical insight into how to build credibility, break through noise, and become a trusted voice in your industry.

Key Highlights

What Reporters Actually Need: Roger explains why quality information—not volume—wins. Reporters are looking for news they can use, insights with value, and clear angles that serve their audiences. 

Exclusivity Still Matters: In a crowded media environment, exclusives remain powerful. Understanding what works—and what doesn’t—from a reporter’s perspective can transform how associations approach outreach.

What PR Professionals Misunderstand About Newsrooms Today: Modern newsrooms are lean, often virtual, and under pressure. Deadlines are relentless. Roger shares why thick skin, respect for timelines, and understanding how reporters generate stories from the ground up are essential.

Reporters Are Brands Now: In today’s media landscape, journalists operate as personal brands across social platforms and speaking circuits. Associations must treat them as peers—building relationships, not transactions.

Agency Life Through a Former Client’s Eyes: Roger reflects on the shift from in-house leadership to agency partner—and what surprised him most about the intensity, collaboration, and behind-the-scenes work agencies deliver. 

Breaking Through in a Noisy World: Associations that stand out bring data, insight, perspective, and a willingness to engage in the broader conversation. You can’t ask to be quoted if you haven’t shown up with something meaningful to say.

🎧 Tune in for a thoughtful conversation on media relationships, advocacy alignment, agency partnerships, and why strong writing still matters more than ever.

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast, host OnWrd & UpWrd’s Meghan Henning sits down with Amy Leitman, JD, President of NTM Info & Research (NTMir) for a powerful conversation about advocacy, awareness, and what it takes for a small nonprofit to execute a truly global media campaign. 

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast, host Meghan Henning of OnWrd & UpWrd sits down with Julie Hirschhorn, Manager of Public Relations at the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), for a timely conversation on trust, tone, and leadership in healthcare communications.

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast, host Meghan Henning sits down with Lisa Townsend, Director of Marketing & Communications at the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP), to unpack what it looks like when an association doesn’t just react to industry change—but leads through it.

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast, host Colleen Gallagher sits down with Jen O’Brien, Director of Research and Innovation at the American Marketing Association (AMA), to unpack the newly released Future Trends in Marketing Report—and what it means for association marketers navigating rapid change.

With AI reshaping how work gets done, how audiences discover brands, and how trust is built, this conversation moves beyond hype to focus on practical, long-term implications. Jen shares how AMA approached foresight-driven research, why a 5–10 year lens matters right now, and how associations can better support professionals through disruption, skill shifts, and evolving career paths.

🎧 Whether you lead marketing, communications, membership, or strategy, this episode offers clear insight into what’s changing—and how associations can stay relevant, trusted, and future-ready.

Key Highlights

Why AMA Built a Future Trends Report (Without an Agenda): Jen explains why AMA wanted to create a marketer-centered trends report—free from vendor bias—and how foresight research helps professionals prepare rather than react.

The Age of Autonomous Agents: What happens when AI moves from “tool” to “teammate”? Jen breaks down how autonomous agents are changing both consumer discovery and internal marketing workflows.

From Search to Discovery: Traditional SEO isn’t enough anymore. Learn why associations must think about social-first content, answer engine optimization, and visibility inside AI-driven environments.

Trust in a Fragmented World: With declining trust across institutions, Jen shares why associations can’t take credibility for granted—and how a single misstep can undo decades of goodwill.

The Rise of the Liquid Workforce: Portfolio careers, freelance talent, and AI-assisted work are reshaping teams. What association leaders should consider when structuring, supporting, and retaining marketing talent.

Sustainability Without Greenwashing—or Greenhushing: Why sustainability remains an innovation imperative, how to stay authentic in polarized environments, and what associations can learn from brands navigating public pressure.

Preparing Professionals for What’s Next: From skill disruption to career pathways, Jen outlines the unique role associations can play in helping workers adapt, reskill, and maintain dignity through change.

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast, host Colleen Gallagher sits down with Katy Doss, Founder & CEO of Script Marketing, for a practical conversation on the marketing basics associations can’t afford to skip—especially as attention gets harder to earn and teams are stretched thin.

While Katy’s work centers on marketing for outdoor service businesses, her approach translates directly to association challenges: building trust, staying visible without overdoing it, and creating consistent member engagement that actually drives action.

🎧 If you’re a marketing team of one (or close to it), trying to prioritize channels, improve credibility, or plan smarter for 2026, this episode is full of grounded insight.

Key Highlights

The 10–15 Touchpoint Rule (and Why Associations Underestimate It): Katy explains why it takes repeated exposure for people to notice—and why you’re not “over-emailing” as quickly as you think.

Brand Is More Than a Logo: Your brand is how people describe you. Katy shares why clear messaging, strong visuals, and consistency build credibility fast.

Human Connection Wins: Video, staff visibility, and member stories are powerful trust-builders—especially when associations stop sounding institutional and start sounding human.

GEO Is the New SEO: To show up in AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini, associations need accurate, consistent information across platforms and helpful content created regularly.

Small Teams: Do Less, Better: Batch work, measure results, and drop what isn’t working. Katy also shares when it’s worth outsourcing—especially paid digital ads.

Credibility Leaks to Fix: Outdated blogs, inconsistent posting, and slow responses quietly erode trust—easy fixes that make a big difference.

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast, host Meghan Henning sits down with Chris Burroughs, President & CEO of the Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA), for a candid conversation on leadership, advocacy, and how associations respond when an industry crisis hits.

Chris reflects on stepping into the CEO role after nearly 15 years leading government affairs—and why that policy background translates into enterprise leadership, strategy, and member value. The discussion then turns to the logistics industry’s most urgent challenge: freight fraud—now more sophisticated, more organized, and more damaging than ever.

🎧 If you lead an association team facing fast-moving risk, this episode offers practical insight into how to mobilize, communicate, and move the needle.

Key Highlights

From Policy Expert to Association Leader: Chris shares what surprised him most about moving from subject-matter leadership into the CEO role—and why deep institutional knowledge, relationship-building, and a service mindset made the transition possible.

Why Freight Fraud Became an Industry Crisis: Once a niche concern, cargo theft and strategic fraud have evolved into sophisticated, organized criminal operations. Chris explains what changed, why small and midsize businesses are especially vulnerable, and why underreporting remains a major challenge.

Building a Multi-Pronged Response: TIA isn’t waiting on a single fix. Chris walks through the association’s ecosystem approach—combining advocacy, member tools, education, data sharing, and new partnerships with the FBI and federal agencies.

Advocacy Takes Time—and Patience: From revisiting long-standing legislation to pushing for stronger interagency collaboration, Chris offers a realistic look at how policy change actually happens—and why persistence and bridge-building matter.

The Power of Real Member Stories: A $400,000 lobster heist made national headlines—but it represents a much larger problem. Chris explains why elevating real member experiences is essential to education, awareness, and credibility.

🎧 Tune in for a practical, real-world conversation on leadership, advocacy, and how associations can lead when the stakes are high.

In this New Year’s solocast episode of Association Insights, host Colleen Gallagher—CEO of OnWrd & UpWrd Marketing & Communications—takes a grounded, practical look at the evolving media and PR landscape for associations.

With newsrooms shrinking, attention getting harder to earn, and AI reshaping how information is discovered and indexed, Colleen breaks down what’s changed, what hasn’t, and where associations have the clearest opportunity to build credibility and influence in 2026—through relationships, speed, and authentic storytelling.

🎧 Whether you lead communications, membership, advocacy, or executive strategy, this episode offers a clear perspective on how to show up consistently, credibly, and at the right moment.

Key Highlights

The Media Environment Is Louder and More Competitive: Why shrinking beats and low response rates mean associations can’t rely on volume, generic announcements, or outdated tactics.

Relationships Aren’t Optional—They’re the Strategy: How associations can lean into their unique advantage as trusted industry voices and expert sources journalists can count on quickly.

Speed + Story = Real Impact: A behind-the-scenes look at how TIA and a member’s $400K lobster theft story became a national narrative—by acting fast, targeting the right markets, and connecting the member experience to a broader fraud trend.

Authenticity Outperforms Polish: Why “corporate” messaging is falling flat—and how human, member-centered storytelling is what cuts through with media, members, and the public.

PR in the Age of AI: How earned media and authoritative content increasingly shape how associations show up in AI-powered search—and why visibility now includes accuracy, indexing, and influence beyond traditional pickup.

What Leaders Should Prioritize in 2026: Clear takeaways on focus, ownership, credibility, and doing the right things better—without trying to do everything.

In this final episode of 2025, host Colleen Gallagher, CEO of OnWrd & UpWrd, reflects on a year of learning, listening, and leadership across 53 episodes of The Association Insights Podcast this year.

From member value and communications to AI, advocacy, culture, and leadership, this solocast pulls together the most consistent themes that emerged across conversations with association CEOs, communicators, strategists, and builders navigating a year defined by uncertainty—and intentional change.

Rather than predictions or hype, this episode focuses on what association leaders actually shared about what’s working, what’s shifting, and what deserves more focus as we head into 2026.

Key Reflections from 2025

• Uncertainty is the environment—strategy is the response

• Relationships, not transactions, drive influence and trust

• Member value is defined by experience, not benefits lists

• Data matters only when it’s used to adjust and improve

• AI is a leadership decision, not just a technology one

• Culture determines whether strategy succeeds or stalls

Colleen also offers reflection questions to help association leaders close out the year with clarity—and outlines what associations should be prioritizing in 2026, grounded directly in insights shared throughout the podcast.

🎧 Tune in for a thoughtful, grounded close to 2025—and a clear-eyed look at what associations should carry forward into the year ahead.

A Virtual Roundtable Replay

In this holiday-week episode of The Association Insights Podcast, we’re re-airing our December LinkedIn Live roundtable, Member Value Reimagined—How Associations Are Evolving to Meet Modern Expectations.

As member expectations continue to evolve, associations are rethinking what value truly means—beyond benefits to belonging, relevance, and impact. Hosted by Colleen Gallagher, President & CEO of OnWrd & UpWrd and publisher of Association Insights, this candid conversation features Stephanie Denvir of the Healthcare Financial Management Association, Kerri McGovern of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, and Brian Peters of The Adhesive & Sealant Council, sharing how they’re adapting engagement, personalization, and retention strategies heading into 2026.

🎧 Whether you lead membership, communications, marketing, or strategy, this episode offers real-world insights you can apply heading into the new year.

Key Highlights

Redefining Member Value in 2025: How associations are moving beyond static benefit lists to focus on experience, trust, and outcomes—and why value looks different across audiences.

Retention, Relevance, and Belonging: How leaders are proving ROI to boards, identifying “stickiness” levers, and letting go of programs members no longer perceive as valuable.

Personalization That Actually Scales: Practical approaches to onboarding, segmentation, behavioral signals, and benefit utilization—without adding headcount.

Data, Technology, and the Human Touch: How dashboards, scorecards, NPS, and AI tools can support smarter decisions while preserving trust and people-first engagement.

Year-Round Engagement That Drives Renewal: What content, community structures, chapters, and leadership visibility strategies are keeping members engaged beyond events and renewal cycles.

Stop / Start / Scale for 2026: A fast-paced lightning round on what associations should stop doing, start prioritizing, and scale because it’s working.

🎧 Tune in for an honest, experience-driven conversation on how associations can evolve their value proposition, deepen engagement, and head into 2026 with clarity and confidence.

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast—and the next installment in our Big Ideas & Trends Series—host Meghan Henning sits down with Stephanie Simpson and Derek Neal, CAE to talk about what a real association turnaround looks like behind the scenes.

Stephanie Simpson will conclude her tenure as CEO of the Association for Middle Level Education (AMLE) this month to step into her new role as CEO of the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA). Derek Neal serves as AMLE’s Chief Operating Officer. Together, they share how a legacy organization serving 10–15-year-olds and the educators who love them moved from years of financial losses and stagnation to renewed clarity, growth, and relevance.

Key Highlights

🎧 Whether you’re facing your own version of a turnaround or simply rethinking your strategy for 2026, this conversation offers honest, practical perspective on leading change with mission—and people—at the center.

From “We’ve Always Done It This Way” to Acting Now: Stephanie and Derek walk through AMLE’s inflection point: shifting from a “wait until after conference” mindset to acting quickly—renegotiating contracts, modernizing staffing, and using a successful conference year as a launchpad for deeper change rather than a reason to delay.

Focusing on Who You Can Help Most (First): With limited staff and resources, AMLE made a deliberate choice to prioritize middle school principals as a primary audience—recognizing that supporting school leaders would create a multiplier effect for teachers, students, and systems.

Rebuilding Trust Through Listening—and Asking for Help: Instead of treating lapsed members as lost, Stephanie went directly to them with a different message: we need your expertise. From reworking AMLE’s foundational text to co-creating new resources, they turned listening tours into opportunities for members to regain professional pride and ownership.

Re-anchoring Around “Successful Middle School”: AMLE modernized its core framework by updating and renaming its flagship position paper to Successful Middle School: This We Believe—then used it as the backbone for everything from school recognition programs to new book series and resource hubs like middleschool.org and Embracing the Change: Middle School 101 for Families.

Advocacy on a Budget: Flipping the Script on Middle School: Without a big lobbying budget, AMLE built a National Policy Agenda for the Middle Grades and paired it with a “Flip the Script” communications campaign to challenge negative stereotypes about middle school. Strategic partnerships have amplified their voice without overextending resources.

Turning Challenges into Strategic Opportunities: From COVID to economic uncertainty and shifting hotel markets, Stephanie and Derek share how they intentionally reframed disruption as opportunity—from accelerating overdue staffing changes to securing better future meeting contracts while supporting partner communities.

🎧 Tune in for a grounded, optimistic look at how an association can reinvent itself without losing sight of its mission—or the young adolescents at the heart of the work.

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast, host Colleen Gallagher kicks off our Big Ideas & Trends Series with a candid conversation about what it really takes for associations to innovate.

Colleen is joined by Elizabeth Weaver Engel, M.A., CAE, Chief Strategist, Spark Consulting; Jamie Notter, Culture Scientist; and Chrissy Bagby, CAE, PMP, Chief Strategy Officer, American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB).

They unpack the new white paper and share how Lean Startup thinking, paired with culture change, can help associations test ideas, reduce risk, and stop “we’ve always done it this way” from running the show.

Key Highlights

It’s Not the Method, It’s the Culture: Why associations don’t have an idea problem—they have a culture and psychological safety problem.

AAVSB’s Story: How Chrissy’s team moved from big, risky builds to structured experiments, shared understanding, and the role of the “cooperative skeptic.”

Build–Measure–Learn in Real Life: What to measure early on, why behavior beats opinions, and how to use data without getting paralyzed by it.

Boards, Staff, and Decision Clarity: Practical ways to define roles, set guardrails, and bring volunteer leaders along without slowing everything down.

🎧 Tune in for honest, practical insight on how to bring Lean thinking into your association—whether you’re in the C-suite or leading from the middle.

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast, host Colleen Gallagher sits down with Jamie Shibley, Co-Founder & CEO of The Expressory, to talk about how thoughtful appreciation can become a real strategy for retention, sponsorship loyalty, and long-term trust—not just a year-end “nice to have.” Drawing on her roots in her grandfather’s relationship-driven flower shop and years in corporate and e-commerce, Jamie shares how associations can use simple, intentional touchpoints to make members, sponsors, and donors feel genuinely seen.

🎧 Whether you’re behind on holiday planning, rethinking how you thank sponsors and donors, or looking for new ways to support member renewals in 2026, this conversation will help you move beyond generic swag to meaningful, strategic engagement.

Key Highlights

Holiday Triage Without the Panic: Why it’s not “too late” in late November—and how to use New Year’s or other moments as powerful appreciation windows.

Donors & Sponsors as Long-Term Partners: Ideas for gifts and messages that reflect their impact and values, instead of one-off branded items.

Member Renewal with Heart: How to use mailed touchpoints, stories of impact, and small gestures to support renewal and year-round engagement.

Personalization at Scale: Ways to make appreciation feel personal using shared challenges, goals, and themes—without custom gifting for thousands.

Measuring the ROI of Appreciation: Practical ways to track retention, referrals, and conversations sparked by strategic gifting.

🎧 Tune in for a practical, encouraging roadmap to investing in relationships—not just technology—in the year ahead letting you turn appreciation into a strategic lever for member, sponsor, and donor loyalty—all year long.

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast, host Meghan Henning takes listeners to the Blue Ridge Mountains for a powerful conversation with Ed Silver, Vice President of Business Development at Explore Asheville. With more than 25 years in travel and hospitality—from Flight Centre and American Express Travel to GBTA and Lodging.com—Ed brings a unique blend of tech, business development, and destination strategy to his role.

From supporting Asheville’s recovery after Hurricane Helene to rethinking how DMOs show up as true partners for associations, Ed shares how Explore Asheville is aligning events, community needs, and long-term impact.

🎧 Whether you’re scouting future host cities or rethinking how you choose destinations altogether, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at how to move from “room blocks and contracts” to mission-aligned, high-impact meetings.

Key Highlights:

From Shareholder Value to Community Value: Ed shares why he shifted from global travel tech roles to destination leadership in Asheville—and how he’s now channeling his private-sector experience into building economic opportunity and resilience for his local community.

DMOs as Strategic Partners, Not Just Vendors: Explore Asheville doesn’t start with a list of hotels—it starts with your goals. Ed breaks down how his team co-designs the attendee experience, matches association missions to Asheville’s creative energy, and helps shape events from concept through execution.

Beyond Room Nights: Measuring Real Economic Impact: Visitor spending in Asheville reaches nearly $3 billion annually, and Explore Asheville looks well beyond heads-in-beds. Ed explains how his team models direct spend and broader economic impact, times meetings for “shoulder seasons,” and helps planners understand how their events support local restaurants, small businesses, and year-round jobs.

Sustainability, Inclusivity, and Balance as Core Pillars: Sustainability isn’t a side project—it’s one of Explore Asheville’s strategic imperatives. Ed shares how they:

• Invest in projects that serve both residents and visitors (like restored sports complexes)

• Encourage safe, responsible travel

• Promote local suppliers, creatives, and small businesses

• Welcome values-aligned associations looking for destinations that reflect their commitments

Data + Storytelling: The Next Chapter for Destination Marketing: Drawing on his technology background, Ed talks about how Explore Asheville is leaning into data, personalization, and marketing automation to deepen relationships with planners—while keeping the human, relationship-driven side of the meetings business front and center.

Why You Should Call the DMO First, Not Last: Ed’s biggest advice for association professionals: involve the DMO early. From incentive funding and venue matchmaking to bringing local leaders into your program and designing community engagement, DMOs can dramatically multiply the impact of your event—if they’re at the table from day one.

🎧 Tune in for a candid, future-focused conversation on what it really means to choose a destination partner in 2026 and beyond—and how places like Asheville are redefining what meetings can do for both attendees and communities.

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast, host Colleen Gallagher sits down with Denny Lengkong, President of IntelliData, for a candid, jargon-free conversation about turning association data into decisions. From “Dashboarding 101” to building a culture that breaks down silos, Denny shares practical ways teams of any size can start small, prove value, and scale their analytics—without blowing the budget or waiting on IT.

🎧 Whether you’re leading a lean staff or modernizing a large association, you’ll get clear steps to move from scattered reports to a repeatable, data-driven rhythm.

Key Highlights

Start Simple → Scale Smart

Stop waiting for the perfect stack. Denny’s “cup-of-noodles to pizza oven” analogy shows how to begin with an Excel table and a basic chart—then evolve into multi-source dashboards as your literacy and needs grow.

Three Questions Before You Build Anything

Reverse-engineer your dashboard:

1. What problem or goal are we answering?

2. Who’s the audience (peers, execs, board, members)?

3. Do we actually have the data—and is it clean and complete?

These answers shape the visuals, the data model, and your collection plan.

What “Data-Driven” Really Means

It’s not a buzzword: it’s making routine adjustments based on what the numbers say—mid-campaign, mid-year, and not just at year-end. If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it.

Kill the Silos, Create a Single Source of Truth

Membership says 5,000; events team says 5,500? You’ve got silos. Denny outlines how successful associations share data, align definitions, and anchor reporting to one trusted source.

You Need a Champion (and Ideally, a Small Data Team)

Lasting change needs ownership. The most effective associations appoint a cross-functional lead or lightweight data team to set standards, prioritize asks, and coach the organization.

Cost, Time, and Bandwidth (The Honest Answer)

You can DIY and learn—start small for near-zero cost—or bring in help when bandwidth, speed, or complexity outgrows your team. Either way, show quick wins to build momentum and buy-in.

Share Early, Win Early

Publish simple visuals, gather feedback, iterate. Early exposure sparks better questions, better data collection, and stronger internal demand for insights.

A Case Study with Dual Impact

Certification programs + learning products: by connecting exam outcomes with course and resource usage, one association identified what helped candidates pass—then proactively guided non-passers to the right prep. Members succeeded faster; the association grew non-dues revenue. Win-win.

🎧 Tune in for practical steps, real examples, and a playbook for moving from “we have data” to “we use data” across your association.

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast, host Colleen Gallagher sits down with Suzanne Struglinski, seasoned communications and PR practitioner, to talk about what it really takes to plan a successful event when it’s not your full-time job.

From coordinating the Journalism and Women Symposium (JAWS) conference to helping with the all-volunteer Women of the Year Awards with Washington Women in Public Relations, Suzanne brings candid, field-tested insights for association and nonprofit professionals who are balancing event planning on top of everything else.

🎧 Whether you’re a one-person department, a comms pro doubling as an event lead, or part of a volunteer-driven organization, this episode is packed with practical tips, real-world examples, and smart shortcuts for pulling off high-impact events on lean resources.

Key Highlights

Start with Realism, Not Perfection: When your team is small (or just you), it’s critical to set realistic goals, delegate, and identify what’s truly achievable. Suzanne shares why you can’t—and shouldn’t—try to do it all alone.

Budget Like a Pro (Without Losing Your Mind): From food and beverage minimums to unexpected AV and Wi-Fi costs, Suzanne walks through how to prioritize spending, read contracts carefully, and get creative about where to save without compromising attendee experience.

Decisive Leadership Under Pressure: Event planning demands quick calls. Suzanne explains how to make smart, timely decisions—like cutting concurrent sessions to save thousands—and why trusting your judgment matters more than perfection.

Designing a Great Guest Experience: A stellar event starts with empathy. Hear Suzanne’s “door-to-door” approach to building a seamless attendee experience, plus how to balance tradition and innovation to keep programming fresh and engaging.

Showcasing ROI Beyond Attendance: Attendance is just one metric. Suzanne shares how to use events to capture year-round value—like generating new visuals, creating evergreen content, and building member loyalty that lasts far beyond the closing session.

Media and Messaging Tips for Events: As a veteran PR pro, Suzanne breaks down when and how to invite media, what makes something newsworthy, and why events can double as powerful relationship-building opportunities—even if they don’t generate headlines.

Tools, Timelines, and Teamwork: For volunteer-led teams, timelines are everything. Suzanne shares her go-to milestone approach (12 months out, 9 months, 6, 3, and 1) and why communication and clarity are key to keeping everyone aligned.

Staying Grounded (and Sane): Her best advice? Be realistic, remember your event’s true purpose, and know that you’ll never please everyone—and that’s okay. Success is about delivering value, not perfection.

🎧 Tune in for a refreshingly honest and highly practical conversation on how to manage events that feel big and look professional—even when your team is small and your plate is full.

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast, host Colleen Gallagher sits down with Julie McDowell, Director of Strategic Communications & Digital Content, and Becca Battisfore, Senior Content Strategist, at the College of American Pathologists (CAP) for an in-depth look at how a legacy association is modernizing its approach to content, data, and digital engagement.

From managing messaging across member and customer audiences to aligning analytics with KPIs, Julie and Becca share how the CAP’s digital team of five supports 18,000 members and countless laboratories worldwide—all while driving measurable impact.

🎧 Whether you’re leading a large communications department or a lean digital team, this episode offers real-world insights on prioritization, collaboration, and content strategy that actually works.

Key Highlights

From Skepticism to Strategy: Julie reflects on launching the CAP’s social media presence more than a decade ago—and how the team turned early doubts into a thriving online community for physicians and laboratory professionals.

Audience First, Always: The CAP’s content strategy starts with a single question: who is this for? Learn how the team balances the needs of two overlapping but distinct audiences—members and customers—through smart segmentation, email strategy, and channel selection.

Metrics That Matter: Becca breaks down how she approaches analytics—from what metrics are truly meaningful to how data drives decision-making. She explains why open rates are outdated and how she connects clickthroughs, behavior, and conversions for a complete picture.

When to Stop Doing What’s Not Working: Julie shares one of the most liberating lessons for association communicators: give yourself permission to stop doing the things that aren’t driving results. Focusing on what works energizes teams and delivers greater impact.

Collaboration as a Core Strategy: From internal “road shows” to sharing data across departments, Julie and Becca explain how transparency, shared KPIs, and storytelling have helped build buy-in and alignment across CAP’s 600-person staff.

Storytelling Through Sound: As the voices behind the CAP’s long-running CapCast podcast, the pair discuss how audio storytelling has evolved from quick Q&As to powerful narratives that humanize members and spark connection—from personal wellness journeys to myth-busting forensic science.

🎧 Tune in for a thoughtful, data-driven, and refreshingly candid conversation about what it takes to build smarter content strategies in associations today—and how to lead with both heart and analytics.

In this episode of the Association Insights Podcast, host Colleen Gallagher continues the Member Value Reimagined series with an energizing and candid conversation with Julie Davis, Director of Marketing and Membership, and Ben H. Rome, Director of Communications and Brand, at the American Bus Association (ABA).

From strategic tech upgrades to authentic storytelling, Julie and Ben share how ABA is reimagining member value in ways that are both deeply personal and forward-looking. You’ll hear how they’re modernizing systems, listening with intent, and building a sense of belonging for one of the most passionate communities in travel and transportation.

Key Highlights

Why Marketplace is Just the Beginning: ABA’s flagship event is a major driver of member satisfaction—but Julie and Ben are on a mission to make sure the other year-round value is just as visible, accessible, and appreciated.

Bringing the Member Experience into the Future: From exploring a new member app to investing in data systems and automation, Julie shares how ABA is embracing a fan-first mindset to modernize the member journey—especially for digital-native generations.

Authentic Storytelling that Builds Community: Ben reveals how member-driven storytelling has become a powerful differentiator for ABA—creating emotional connections and elevating the association’s brand far beyond traditional marketing.

The Power of Listening (and What Happens Next): It’s not just about hearing members—it’s about engaging with them through councils, conversations, and curiosity. Julie and Ben explain how their team uses real-time feedback to surface insights, validate new ideas, and build programs that matter.

Advice for Associations in Transition: Whether you’re building a tech roadmap, expanding your member base, or navigating cultural change, Julie and Ben offer grounded, practical advice for association professionals rethinking value, engagement, and growth.

🎧 Tune in for a warm, thoughtful, and actionable conversation on how to modernize member value while staying grounded in what matters most—your people.

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast, host Colleen Gallagher continues the Member Value Reimagined series with a conversation that’s both timely and inspiring. Her guest, MJ Shoer, Chief Community Officer at the Global Technology Industry Association (GTIA), shares how his organization—formerly the CompTIA Community—is redefining member engagement and impact across the global IT channel.

🎧 From steering a major rebrand and organizational split to expanding GTIA’s global footprint and strengthening cybersecurity readiness, MJ offers an insider’s look at what it means to deliver real, evolving member value in a rapidly changing industry.

Key Highlights

From CompTIA to GTIA: A Bold Transition Built on Trust

MJ walks through how the 42-year-old association successfully separated from CompTIA’s certification business in record time—building new systems, a new brand, and a new future for members in just 65 days.

A Member’s Perspective at the Helm

Having started as a GTIA member, board chair, and now Chief Community Officer, MJ brings a rare 360-degree view of the member experience—and shares how that empathy drives everything from programming to communication.

Global Growth with Purpose

With communities now spanning North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific, GTIA is leaning into its “G” for global. MJ shares how the association connects members from Birmingham to Brisbane, exchanging best practices and insights across borders to help businesses thrive.

Events That Drive Connection and Impact

From flagship conferences to regional meetups, GTIA’s events have become engines for connection and collaboration. MJ explains how their level playing field approach—where every exhibitor has equal footing—creates authentic engagement across the ecosystem.

Cybersecurity as Core Member Value

GTIA’s cybersecurity programming, including the ISAO and Cybersecurity Trustmark, is helping members protect their businesses while elevating industry standards. MJ discusses how the organization fosters a culture of shared learning, collaboration, and resilience in an era of accelerating threats.

Listening, Storytelling, and Scaling Value

MJ underscores the importance of listening to members, telling their stories, and communicating value clearly and confidently—so more people understand the impact of association membership and the power of community.

🎧 Tune in for a candid, forward-looking conversation about how GTIA is redefining what membership means in the global technology space—and how associations everywhere can build trust, relevance, and impact for the future.

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast, we're continuing our Member Value Reimagined series with an eye-opening conversation about one of the most overlooked engagement tools in the association toolkit: audio.

Host Meghan Henning sits down with Kevin C. Mitchell, Esq., CEO of Modio Information Group, to explore how narrated content and branded audio platforms are helping associations transform their member experience, extend the life of their publications, and even open up powerful new revenue streams.

🎧 Whether you’ve already launched a podcast or are just starting to explore audio strategy, this episode will reshape how you think about access, content delivery, and engagement.

Key Highlights:

Turning Publications into 268 Extra Hours of Engagement: Modio works with associations like the American Bar Association, the American Chemical Society, and the American Academy of Family Physicians to convert their top written content into human-narrated, on-demand audio experiences. Kevin breaks down why audio unlocks hundreds of hours of listening time annually—without competing with your members’ core work responsibilities.

Why Podcast Traction Falls Flat—and How to Fix It: If your association’s podcast isn’t gaining momentum, it might be the delivery, not the content. Kevin explains why desktop players and Spotify links won’t cut it—and why mobile-first, branded audio apps are critical to success.

Case Study: AAFP’s App as a Member Magnet: Learn how the American Academy of Family Physicians launched AAFP Audio, growing new audience segments, boosting listens to its publications, and securing sponsorship support—all through a custom-branded audio platform.

Member-Only Access, Monetization, and Data Control: Don’t send members to Spotify and lose the data. Kevin shares how branded apps allow associations to retain control, gate premium content, gather engagement insights, and monetize on their own terms.

Why Human Narration Still Wins: Spoiler: Modio doesn’t use AI-generated voices. Instead, they tap into students from the field to narrate content—improving pronunciation, comprehension, and community connection.

The Real Non-Dues Opportunity: Digital audio advertising now surpasses video and social media in time spent. Associations that invest in branded audio can finally tap into this $7B+ market—while gathering first-party data that powers future monetization.

Future-Proofing Your Member Value Strategy: As AI and search engines continue to reshape how members find and consume content, audio is emerging as a key strategy to preserve attention, revenue, and direct relationships.

🎧 Tune in for real-world examples of how audio platforms drive member value, a compelling case for audio as a core part of your engagement strategy, and practical advice for getting started or scaling up—without overwhelming your team.

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast, we launch our Member Value Reimagined series with a bold and inspiring story from the American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT). Host Meghan Henning sits down with Pat White, Director of Membership, and Nealy Wheat, Chief Financial & Administrative Officer, to explore how ASNT broke the mold—replacing a traditional dues-based model with a freemium structure that’s already delivering surprising results.

🎧 From board buy-in to cross-team collaboration, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at how associations can challenge the status quo, grow their reach, and still drive revenue—without sacrificing value.

Key Highlights:

A Strategic Pivot, Driven by Data: Faced with declining membership and ambitious growth goals, ASNT asked a radical question: What if we started with free? Pat and Nealy walk through how this question set off a cross-functional strategy shift that redefined what member value looks like—and who gets access to it.

What the Freemium Model Actually Includes: Hear how ASNT reduced 11 membership categories down to 4, created a new “Associate” level with limited but meaningful benefits, and structured the experience so members could opt in to value rather than be forced to buy in.

The Financials Behind the Shift: With membership revenue making up less than 10% of total income, ASNT had room to explore—and a CFO willing to model every risk scenario. Nealy shares what it took to balance boldness with sustainability, and how the organization made the case to its board.

$100K in New Revenue—From Non-Paying Members: That’s right. Since launching in January 2025, ASNT has welcomed 2,000+ new and returning members into its Associate category—resulting in over $100,000 in new non-dues revenue. Pat breaks down where the dollars are coming from and how engagement is higher than ever.

The Marketing and Rollout That Made It Work: From a smart survey to a savvy social media launch, Pat credits ASNT’s marketing team for building buzz, generating leads, and crafting campaigns that resonated with the right audiences—without overwhelming them.

Lessons in Leadership and Change Management: Nealy and Pat offer candid insights on what made this transformation possible—from a risk-tolerant board and empowered staff to a culture of innovation that embraces iteration and continuous improvement.

🎧 Tune in for a real-world case study of a freemium membership model that actually works, along with smart strategy and practical advice from finance, membership, and operations pros. You’ll also hear fresh thinking on how to reduce friction, streamline benefits, and attract more members—without sacrificing your bottom line.

The Association PR Toolkit—Smart, Strategic, and Actually DoableIn this solo episode of The Association Insights Podcast, host Colleen Gallagher, CEO of OnWrd & UpWrd, walks through the essential tools every association needs in their PR playbook. From mapping out the right stories to building the right press list—and pitching them to the right people—this is your tactical, honest, and refreshingly practical guide to PR that works.

Whether you're new to PR or looking to tighten your approach, Colleen lays out a clear framework for how associations can stop playing defense and start leading with strategy.

🎧 Get ready for a fast-moving, tip-packed episode designed to help you build visibility, credibility, and momentum—on your terms.

Key Highlights:

Your Editorial Calendar = Your North Star: Why a strategic, flexible editorial calendar is the foundation of all great PR—and how to align your content with awareness days, legislative priorities, and member moments.

The Press List That Actually Works: Forget mass email blasts. Learn how to build a press list that’s focused, up-to-date, and built around relationships—not just reach.

Pitching, Personalized: Colleen breaks down how to craft stories that resonate—whether you’re pitching national, local, trade, or digital-first outlets.

The Follow-Up Formula: Learn when to follow up, how often, and what not to do if you want to build real relationships with reporters.

Media Training 101: Why polished spokespeople matter, what good training looks like, and how to prepare your team for tough questions without sounding robotic.

Make Every Media Hit Go Further: Once you land a story, the work isn’t over. Colleen shares how to amplify your media wins through owned channels—email, social, newsletters, and board reports—so your results don’t end when the segment does.

🎧 Tune in for a candid, practical solo episode that gives associations a real plan for PR success.

In this solo episode of The Association Insights Podcast, host Colleen Gallagher, CEO of OnWrd & UpWrd, breaks down one of the most debated tactics in association PR: awareness days. While some call them overdone or ineffective, Colleen makes the case that, done right, awareness days can unlock real visibility, credibility, and media wins—especially for associations.

With real client examples and a clear, strategic framework, this episode is packed with practical advice on how to tap into awareness days in a way that’s smart, localized, and aligned with your mission.

Key Highlights:

Why Awareness Days Still Work: Despite the critiques, awareness days can offer a timely, built-in hook—if you avoid generic outreach and focus on relevance, localization, and timing.

Market Selection That Matters: You don’t need to pitch everywhere. Colleen shares how choosing 5–10 key markets—based on membership, media openness, or strategic visibility—can help you go deeper, not wider.

The Power of Localized Storytelling: From local data to member quotes to recent incidents, localizing your pitch is what turns an awareness day from a missed opportunity into a media win.

Real-World Examples in Action

Hear how OnWrd & UpWrd helped:

• A mental health association land TV interviews by tying Childhood Obesity Awareness Month to trending stories around GLP-1 drugs and presidential fitness tests.

• A boating safety client secure coverage by combining Global Drowning Prevention Awareness Day with localized accident data and seasonal relevance.
  

Takeaway Tips You Can Use Now

Colleen shares six actionable strategies your team can implement today, from choosing markets and building in lead time, to layering news hooks and leveraging public data.

Don’t Stop at the Hit—Maximize It:

Once you land coverage, amplify it across your owned channels.

At OnWrd & UpWrd, we believe the best PR efforts start with earned media and grow with owned media. Awareness days can be a powerful part of that strategy—when they’re done with intention, not just instinct.

🎧 Tune in now for a smart, strategic solo episode packed with ideas your association can put into action before your next awareness day.

A True Video Partner: Rethinking Storytelling at Your Association

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast, O&U CEO and host Colleen Gallagher sits down with C. Dallas Golden, DES, founder and Chief Video Strategist of Pond Ripple Media, for an honest and energizing conversation about the power of authentic storytelling. Dallas has spent the last decade helping associations and nonprofits elevate their video strategies—not as a vendor, but as a true partner.

From interviews that spark emotion to B-roll that brings conferences to life, Dallas shares how associations can use video to connect more deeply with members, sponsors, and mission—all without blowing the budget.

🎧 Whether you’re just getting started with video or looking to grow your strategy across departments, this episode is packed with practical takeaways and fresh perspective on what it means to tell your story well.

Key Highlights:

Authenticity Above All: Dallas shares his origin story—from actor to documentarian to video strategist—and explains why authenticity, not polish, is the secret to compelling content.

Beyond the Marketing Budget: Associations often limit video to the marketing line item, but Dallas breaks down how to stretch investment across membership, sponsorship, conference, and education budgets—and why spreading ownership builds greater buy-in.

From One Conference, 60 Videos:  Using his ongoing work with the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP) as a case study, Dallas outlines how 20 interviews can yield 40+ pieces of evergreen video content that fuel engagement all year long.

Video as a Sponsorship Opportunity: Don’t just spend on video—monetize it. Dallas shares how associations are incorporating interview segments into sponsorship packages and helping their corporate partners tell their own stories of impact and alignment.

Partnership Over Production: It’s not just about being behind the camera—it’s about listening, aligning, and strategizing together. Dallas explains why being treated as a partner, not a vendor, is key to meaningful results.

Fast Turnaround, High ROI: Learn how a 45-second thank you video from an ED (produced on-site and turned around in 48 hours) helped one client generate over 6,300 impressions and more than 100 click-throughs—in just one day.

Metrics That Matter: From impressions to engagement to click-through rates, Dallas explains what data points help show the ROI of video and how associations can better track results to make the case for continued investment.

🎧 Tune in for a real-world, results-driven conversation about how associations can create video content that resonates, gets seen, and makes a difference.

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast, we’re bringing you a special replay of our summer LinkedIn Live panel: Communicating What Matters—How Associations Can Lead with Strategic Storytelling.

Originally hosted by OnWrd & UpWrd CEO Colleen Gallagher, this roundtable features two communications leaders navigating some of the most complex issues facing associations today:

Tim Ebner, Senior Director of Communications at the Can Manufacturers InstituteSean Luechtefeld, Ph.D., Senior Director of Communications at ANCOR

🎧 From politicized narratives and media scrutiny to member trust and message discipline, this conversation offers honest, experience-driven advice for association pros navigating the intersection of policy, people, and purpose.

Key Highlights:

Mission Over Moment: Why clarity of mission and values is critical for staying grounded in complex, polarized environments—and how communications can lead with focus, not fear.

Storytelling with Intention: How to elevate real member stories in a way that resonates—and why it's about amplifying, not exploiting.

Crisis Isn’t the Time to Build a Playbook: Why the best comms leaders prepare before a flashpoint—and how Tim and Sean work cross-functionally to set expectations and build trust.

Empathy, Not Neutrality: Why staying neutral often isn’t an option—and how associations can lead with empathy and authenticity while holding firm on their values.

Media Readiness & Message Discipline: Tips for navigating media inquiries, staying on message, and preparing staff and board members for sensitive conversations.

Advice for Communicators: Whether you're a one-person team or leading a full department, Tim and Sean offer tactical guidance for aligning your communications strategy with what matters most.

🎧 Tune in for a thoughtful, unfiltered conversation about what it means to lead with clarity, courage, and purpose in today’s association landscape.

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In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast, host Meghan Henning sits down with Marilena Vrana, Vice President of Public Affairs and EU Operations at the Plasma Protein Therapeutics Association (PPTA), to explore what it takes to lead a global association strategy with unity, speed, and impact.

From Brussels to Washington, Marilena shares how her team navigates cultural, regulatory, and political complexity while keeping member needs and patient access front and center. With decades of experience in European health policy and a deep commitment to collaboration, she offers powerful lessons in stakeholder engagement, cross-border communication, and values-based leadership.

🎧 Whether you’re managing regional offices or rethinking your global footprint, this episode delivers clear, thoughtful insight into how associations can stay aligned across continents—and stay ahead of change.

Key Highlights:

Anticipating Change, Not Just Reacting: Marilena explains how PPTA stayed ahead of new EU legislation on substances of human origin—mobilizing early, preparing members, and showing up as a trusted, expert voice.

Stakeholder Listening with Empathy and Intent: Why true advocacy starts with active listening—not just to members and partners, but to policymakers too. Marilena shares how building human-centered relationships helps advance shared goals.

Transatlantic Alignment in Practice: From messaging consistency to cultural fluency, Marilena breaks down how her team collaborates across European and American offices—and why diversity is their greatest strength.

What Makes PPTA a Model for Global Associations: Learn how PPTA evolved from fragmented entities into one global voice—driven by strategic planning, agile operations, and a shared mission of patient access to life-saving plasma-derived therapies.

Mission-Led Strategy for 2025 and Beyond: Hear PPTA’s three priorities for the next two years: raising awareness of plasma therapies, ensuring policies work in practice, and building trust through transparency, evidence, and partnership.

Leadership Lessons from Lived Experience: From navigating uncertainty to leading with empathy, Marilena shares deeply personal reflections on how her experience as a patient shaped her leadership philosophy—and why authenticity is her greatest asset.

🎧 Tune in for a global perspective on association leadership that’s grounded, strategic, and refreshingly human.

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast, we wrap up our August series on artificial intelligence with a standout example of AI in action. Host Colleen Gallagher sits down with Dave Dellin, Chief Executive Officer of the American Paint Horse Association (APHA), to explore how a tech-forward mindset is transforming a legacy association. 

From reducing call volume to enhancing 24/7 member support, Dave shares how APHA’s AI-powered chatbot, BeccaBot, is making life easier for both members and staff—and what’s next as they plan to use AI across their digital ecosystem.

🎧 Whether you're leading a small staff or managing a large membership base, this episode offers smart, grounded insights into how associations can implement AI with intentionality, purpose, and clear member value.

Key Highlights:

Why AI, Why Now?: Dave shares what drove his team to explore AI in the first place—and how curiosity, peer learning, and strategic pain points led to a practical use case that delivered results.

Meet BeccaBot: Named in honor of APHA’s founder, BeccaBot is an AI-powered chatbot trained on 400+ pages of complex rulebooks and website content—offering clear, accurate answers to more than 1,000 member questions each month.

Staff Impact: 36% Fewer Calls: With over 4,000–6,000 member calls per month, BeccaBot has helped reduce call volume by more than a third—giving staff more time to focus on meaningful member support.

Better Insights, Better Service: From flagging confusing processes to identifying member pain points in real time, Dave explains how BeccaBot is also helping APHA streamline operations and improve service design.

What Makes a Good Chatbot?: Dave breaks down the key lessons from months of training, testing, and refining BeccaBot—and why not all chatbots are created equal.

Beyond the Bot: What’s Next for AI at APHA: From personalized content to smarter classifieds, Dave offers a peek into how APHA is exploring AI to strengthen member engagement and create new digital experiences.

Advice for Association Leaders: If you're still on the fence about AI, Dave shares candid, practical advice for getting started—including how to identify use cases, vet vendors, and build internal buy-in.

🎧 Tune in for a real-world look at how one association is embracing AI with clear goals, thoughtful implementation, and a deep commitment to its members.

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In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast, we continue our August series on artificial intelligence with a thoughtful conversation about voice, values, and the real-world applications of generative AI.

Host Meghan Henning sits down with Preeti Vasishtha, Director of Content and Editor in Chief at the American Academy of Actuaries, to explore how she’s using AI as both an intern and a strategic partner—from onboarding to a highly technical industry to developing smarter content workflows that save time without sacrificing authenticity.

🎧 Whether you’re building your first AI policy, experimenting with tools, or just trying to wrap your head around the potential, this episode offers honest perspective and practical insights from someone who’s learning by doing—and doing it thoughtfully.

Key Highlights:

AI as Intern and Ally – Why Preeti sees GenAI as both a time-saving assistant and a powerful partner—and how she uses it to accelerate learning, streamline research, and support strategic storytelling.

How to Write a Better Prompt – The importance of framing, values, and specificity when prompting—and why your vision matters more than the tool itself.

Repurpose, Reuse, Rethink – From condensing 100-page reports to surfacing hidden gems in your knowledge library, Preeti shares how associations can use AI to unlock more value from existing content.

Finding—and Keeping—Your Voice – Preeti explains how to maintain authenticity in AI-generated content, why she still starts with a messy first draft, and how to recognize a “too-polished” AI tone.

Where Associations Stand – What she’s seeing across the sector, including common barriers to adoption, examples of smart implementation, and the growing gap between member expectations and association readiness.

Data, Policy, and Trust – Why good data governance is the backbone of ethical AI use—and how associations can start small while building guardrails for the future.

🎧 Tune in for a candid, thoughtful conversation on how associations can approach AI not just as a tool—but as a strategic decision rooted in mission, member value, and clear-eyed curiosity.

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In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast, we kick off our August series on artificial intelligence with a powerful real-world example of how small-staff associations can lead with strategy, innovation—and confidence.

Host Meghan Henning sits down with Cathy Lada, D.Sc., CAE, Chief Marketing & Membership Officer at the American Alliance of Orthopaedic Executives (AAOE), to explore how her team is thoughtfully integrating AI to enhance member experience, streamline operations, and unlock time-saving value across the organization.

🎧 Whether you’re just starting to explore AI tools or ready to build your first custom GPT, this episode offers clear, practical insights from someone who’s been there—and is doing the work every day.

Key Highlights:

The First Prompt is the Hardest – How Cathy moved from AI skeptic to strategic champion—and why a $24 prompt engineering course changed everything.

Build a Policy Before You Build a Bot – Why a clear AI policy was AAOE’s starting point—and how they keep it updated as tools evolve.

Real-Time Use, Real-Time Impact – From custom GPTs to job aid generation, Cathy shares how her team is saving hours each week through smart AI applications.

Confidence Through Crowdsourcing – How AAOE involved staff from day one and built trust by aligning use cases with values, confidentiality, and member benefit.

Tested by Humans, Trusted by Members – Why Cathy insists on human vetting for all AI-generated outputs—and how her team validates ideas with both members and industry partners.

What’s Next: Vendor-Facing AI – Learn how AAOE is exploring the possibility of piloting a custom chatbot to support exhibitors, advertisers, and sponsors—aiming to deliver better service and saving time along the way.

🎧 Tune in for a candid, encouraging conversation about how associations of any size can embrace AI—without losing what makes them human.

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In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast, we wrap up our July series on sponsorships, partnerships, and non-dues revenue with a candid conversation about the human side of corporate engagement.

Host Meghan Henning sits down with Cindy Simpson, M.Ed., CAE, Corporate Relations Manager at the Urgent Care Association (UCA), who brings decades of experience across membership, meetings, and business development. With over 100 corporate partners in her portfolio, Cindy offers grounded, real-world advice on building trust, qualifying fit, and creating long-term value for both members and sponsors.

🎧 Whether you’re refining your sales approach or rethinking your entire partner strategy, this episode delivers fresh ideas and proven tactics you can apply right away.

Key Highlights:

Start with Listening – Cindy shares why every partnership starts with understanding—not pitching—and how asking the right questions early helps set the stage for long-term success.

It’s Not Just About the Check – Why treating corporate members as partners, not piggy banks, is essential—and how UCA encourages “test drive” involvement before deeper investment.

Beyond the Exhibit Hall – From regional events to strategic think tanks, learn how UCA builds year-round visibility and engagement for partners beyond their sold-out convention floor.

Up the Ladder, Not Out the Door – Cindy breaks down her approach to evolving sponsor relationships over time—moving partners from basic brand awareness to trusted thought leadership roles.

Member Experience First – Hear how thoughtful partnership strategy directly supports UCA’s member experience—from connecting them to solutions that help with tight margins to curating meaningful education.

Advice for Associations – Cindy offers practical guidance on retaining high-dollar sponsors, managing churn at lower tiers, and having the honest conversations that build trust, not just transactions.

🎧 This conversation is packed with insights for any association professional looking to deepen industry relationships, align partnerships with mission, and build sustainable non-dues revenue.

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In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast, we continue our July series on sponsorships, partnerships, and non-dues revenue with a fresh perspective from the higher education space. Host Colleen Gallagher sits down with Leah Lang, Senior Director of Partnerships and Corporate Engagement at EDUCAUSE, to explore how the organization moved beyond transactional sponsorships and built a high-impact partnership model that aligns with their mission—and delivers real value to both members and industry.

🎧 Whether you’re building a sponsor program from scratch or looking to deepen your existing relationships, this episode offers powerful takeaways on strategy, structure, and sustained success.

Key Highlights:

From A La Carte to All In – Why EDUCAUSE moved away from one-off offerings and built bundled, relationship-based partnerships—and how that shift improved satisfaction for both sides.

Let the Data Guide You – How EDUCAUSE used stakeholder feedback and internal analysis to reshape their program—and how your association can do the same.

The Power of Fit – Why not every sponsor becomes a partner—and how EDUCAUSE curates its partner roster to ensure community alignment and long-term value.

Mission at the Core – How Leah’s member-first mindset ensures industry engagement supports the broader mission of advancing higher ed through technology.

Advice for Associations – From creative bundling to thoughtful onboarding, Leah shares tactical advice for associations looking to reimagine their approach to non-dues revenue.

What’s Next – Learn how EDUCAUSE’s Annual Partner Summit is evolving into a year-round innovation program—and why convening diverse stakeholders is a powerful way to co-create solutions.

🎧 Tune in for a candid, practical conversation on how thoughtful strategy and member-first thinking can turn sponsor relationships into something deeper—and far more impactful.

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In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast, we continue our July series on sponsorships, partnerships, and non-dues revenue with a behind-the-scenes look at how one major association is building long-term value through strategic partnerships and innovative fulfillment models.

Host Meghan Henning sits down with John Buckley, Senior Director of Business Partnerships and Expo Operations at the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), to explore how IDWeek has evolved into a flagship experience that delivers for both members and industry partners.

With nearly 20 years of experience in nonprofit event strategy, John shares how trust, creativity, and a long-game mindset have transformed IDSA’s non-dues revenue approach—from tailored sponsorships to citywide visibility campaigns.

🎧 Whether you’re managing a massive expo floor or just getting started with industry partnerships, this episode offers tactical takeaways and real-world ideas to scale your success.

Key Highlights:

• Relationships First – Why IDSA calls sponsors “industry partners” and how ongoing dialogue helps drive alignment and renewal.
  

• Beyond the Booth – How one full-access exhibitor registration created new value for partners—and enhanced the attendee experience.
  

• Fulfillment That Works – The case for outsourcing logistics and how it freed up IDSA’s team to get more creative and strategic.
  

• Location, Location, Location – Using citywide marketing and hotel-based placements to elevate brand visibility across every touchpoint.
  

• The ID Exchange – A live, NFL-draft-style experience that brings partners together to claim high-impact sponsorship opportunities—months before the show.
  

• Creativity in Action – From puppy lounges to Amazon Prime Day-style flash sales, John shares innovative ideas that keep IDWeek fresh and fun.
  

• Start Small, Scale Smart – Advice for associations with limited resources on how to test, adapt, and grow their non-dues revenue programs over time.
  

🎧 This episode is a must-listen for any association looking to build stronger sponsor relationships, streamline operations, and rethink what’s possible in partnership strategy.

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In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast, we kick off our July series on sponsorships, partnerships, and non-dues revenue with a powerful conversation featuring Edessa Polzin, PCM, Director of Strategic Partnerships at the American Marketing Association (AMA).

Host Meghan Henning sits down with Edessa to explore how AMA is transforming partnerships from transactional to transformational. With a background in B2B growth strategy and partner-led innovation, Edessa shares a bold, mission-centered approach to corporate engagement—one that prioritizes impact, alignment, and long-term value over one-off logos and short-term dollars.

🎧 Whether you're rethinking your sponsor packages or looking to deepen your existing partner relationships, this episode offers practical frameworks and fresh inspiration.

Key Highlights:

Beyond the Booth – Why AMA moved away from transactional sponsorships—and how mission alignment led to deeper value for members and partners alike.

Bigger, Better, Faster – Edessa’s go-to framework for evaluating partnerships—and how associations can apply it to scale smarter and move faster.

The Enterprise Shift – How AMA is designing bundled, multi-touchpoint partnerships that deliver year-round engagement and sustained revenue.

Breaking the Silos – Why cross-functional collaboration has been critical to AMA’s success—and how one biweekly meeting changed everything.

Stretching the Mission – A real-world case study in partnering outside your traditional audience to expand impact (and build a future pipeline).

Saying No with Strategy – What Edessa looks for before saying yes—and why “dollars without depth” isn’t worth the trade.

Testing, Quietly – How a “start small and validate” approach has helped AMA experiment, learn, and grow without institutional friction.

🎧 This episode is a must-listen for associations looking to elevate their partner strategy, build meaningful relationships, and drive non-dues revenue that actually advances the mission.

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In this short solo episode of The Association Insights Podcast, host Colleen Gallagher delivers a high-energy dose of practical advice for busy association leaders—one quick-hit insight at a time.

With more than a dozen rapid-fire questions, Colleen tackles everything from member engagement and strategic planning to board dynamics, advocacy messaging, and internal communication. If you’ve ever wished for a pocket-sized playbook of smart, actionable association strategies—you’re in the right place.

🎧 Whether you're running a team, advising a board, or just trying to get your next member email out the door, this episode is packed with ideas you can implement right away.

Key Highlights:

🔥 Messaging Mistakes – Why starting with your members is the fix you’ve been looking for.

📞 Dashboard Drop-Off? – The first thing to do when engagement tanks—and it’s not another email.

🎉 Retention That Works – Why milestone celebrations can matter more than discounts.

📣 Advocacy That Moves People – How to make policy feel personal—and mobilize support.

🧠 Board Strategy – One small agenda item that keeps meetings focused and mission-aligned.

✍️ Smart Comms Tip – How one great message can live a dozen lives across your channels.

🚨 When It’s Political – Why values-based communication matters more than ever.

📊 Talk to the Quiet Ones – Why your “sometimes show” members may have your smartest insights.

🎯 The Pilot Mindset – How associations can innovate without blowing up the budget.

🌱 Burnout Tip – What to do when it all feels like too much.

🎧 Tune in now for a fast-paced, no-fluff episode full of real-world advice—and the kind of encouragement association pros need right now.

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In this encore episode of The Association Insights Podcast, host Colleen Gallagher welcomes back Dr. Bill Conerly, economist, Forbes contributor, and author of The Flexible Stance: Thriving in a Boom/Bust Economy. Almost two years to the day since his last appearance, Bill returns with a timely update on the economic landscape—and what it means for associations navigating uncertainty in 2025.

With political changes underway, persistent inflation concerns, and tariff decisions looming large, Bill breaks down the outlook for recession, how to plan when the data is murky, and why acting quickly and smartly still sets resilient associations apart. From contingency planning to member engagement and policy positioning, this conversation is a must-listen for association leaders seeking clarity—and calm—in the face of complex signals.

🎧 Whether you’re leading through growth, bracing for downturn, or somewhere in between, you’ll walk away with actionable insights to guide your next board conversation or budget draft.

Key Highlights:

Recession or Just Risk? – Why uncertainty is the real threat right now—and what associations should watch for.

Planning with Purpose – How a one-page contingency plan can help associations respond faster and smarter.

Navigating Hot Topics – What to say (and what to avoid) when it comes to tariffs, immigration, and tax reform.

Member-Centered Messaging – Why knowing what your members are really facing is your biggest communications asset.

AI, Aging & Workforce Shifts – How associations can prepare for two massive forces reshaping the economy.

What Resilience Looks Like Now – Lessons from COVID and how to double down on what actually worked.

Just Pick Up the Phone – Why talking to your members—especially the quiet ones—might be your smartest move all year.

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