Recently there was the first official Association Chat on Twitter - if you're on Twitter, search for #assnchat to follow the conversation.
Deirdre Reid was kind enough to post a summary of the chat to her blog - read it here.
Some interesting points were raised, particularly about how online communities may present a threat to associations, providing for free the networking, information and resources members used to pay their associations for. There were, however, some solutions posed as to how associations could actually better use these social networking tools and communities. Other topics covered were the role of content - whether member-only or open to all - in the membership offering, a discussion of the traditional membership fee model and whether this is viable in the future, and why associations are reluctant to change.
Next official chat is tomorrow, so check it out.
21 June 2009
Asia Pacific gets business tourism boost with relaunch of association
The eight Asian visitor bureaux which together make up the recently relaunched Asian Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaux (AACVB) have agreed on a new agenda to try to boost the region's market share in the events industry.
The eight members include the bureaux of China, Hong Kong, Korea, Macau, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.
AACVB chair, Suprabha Moleeratanond, said, "At least eight convention and visitor bureaux will put cooperation ahead of competition and raise the level of sophistication in the meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibition sectors in Asia. Our aim is to increase competitiveness and drive new MICE business to our region."
The aggressive new agenda aims to attract intra-regional conventions, especially those that can be rotated among AACVB members.
The AACVB was initially established in 1983 but the organisation had difficulty with leadership from 2000 and gradually became inactive. It was revived in November last year.
The new strategic direction for the organisation also aims to achieve sharing of best practices and the creation of joint branding, marketing and advertising. The AACVB has also suggested it will lookat training and accreditation to lift standards in the region.
Joyce DiMascio, head of business events for Tourism Australia, told MICEBTN, "We are a very interesting time in the association market, particularly in terms of the relevance and growth potential that will come out of the Asia Pacific region. During the recent IMEX in Frankfurt there were various forums looking at the future of the association market. The opportunities here in Asia now are dawning on the Europeans and the Americans. The formation of the new Asian alliance is to me another signal that our colleagues in Asia are beginning to recognise the enormous potential that we have in our part of the world."
Meanwhile, the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International Asia Pacific will hold its first Australian event in Sydney on 1 July.
Managing director of HSMAI Asia Pacific, Bernadette Dennis, said: "HSMAI is a global organisation of sales and marketing professionals representing all segments of the hospitality industry. We already have more than half the number of members we need to establish a chapter in Australia, so this event represents our commitment to those members and to growing our presence in the Australian market."
The eight members include the bureaux of China, Hong Kong, Korea, Macau, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.
AACVB chair, Suprabha Moleeratanond, said, "At least eight convention and visitor bureaux will put cooperation ahead of competition and raise the level of sophistication in the meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibition sectors in Asia. Our aim is to increase competitiveness and drive new MICE business to our region."
The aggressive new agenda aims to attract intra-regional conventions, especially those that can be rotated among AACVB members.
The AACVB was initially established in 1983 but the organisation had difficulty with leadership from 2000 and gradually became inactive. It was revived in November last year.
The new strategic direction for the organisation also aims to achieve sharing of best practices and the creation of joint branding, marketing and advertising. The AACVB has also suggested it will lookat training and accreditation to lift standards in the region.
Joyce DiMascio, head of business events for Tourism Australia, told MICEBTN, "We are a very interesting time in the association market, particularly in terms of the relevance and growth potential that will come out of the Asia Pacific region. During the recent IMEX in Frankfurt there were various forums looking at the future of the association market. The opportunities here in Asia now are dawning on the Europeans and the Americans. The formation of the new Asian alliance is to me another signal that our colleagues in Asia are beginning to recognise the enormous potential that we have in our part of the world."
Meanwhile, the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International Asia Pacific will hold its first Australian event in Sydney on 1 July.
Managing director of HSMAI Asia Pacific, Bernadette Dennis, said: "HSMAI is a global organisation of sales and marketing professionals representing all segments of the hospitality industry. We already have more than half the number of members we need to establish a chapter in Australia, so this event represents our commitment to those members and to growing our presence in the Australian market."
Dieticians Association appoints new president
The Dieticians Association of Australia (DAA) has elected Advanced Accredited Practising Dietician, Julie Dundon, as president.
Dundon is the director of Nutrition Professionals Australia, a nutrition practice based in Adelaide, and has previously served as vice-president and as a director on the DAA Board.
She replaces former president Julie Hulcombe.
On her appointment, Dundon said she looks forward to working with members to improve and advocate for nutrition at all levels.
DAA CEO Claire Hewat said, "Julie's wide range of dietetic experience and her previous involvement with DAA, her professionalism and enthusiasm will be an asset to the association. We look forward to working with Julie over the next two years in her rle as DAA president."
Dundon is the director of Nutrition Professionals Australia, a nutrition practice based in Adelaide, and has previously served as vice-president and as a director on the DAA Board.
She replaces former president Julie Hulcombe.
On her appointment, Dundon said she looks forward to working with members to improve and advocate for nutrition at all levels.
DAA CEO Claire Hewat said, "Julie's wide range of dietetic experience and her previous involvement with DAA, her professionalism and enthusiasm will be an asset to the association. We look forward to working with Julie over the next two years in her rle as DAA president."
16 June 2009
Price increases for mailing magazines
If you mail magazines to your members, your postage costs are about to get more expensive.
Australia Post has announced it will lift its rates from 6 July 2009, by 3.9 per cent for parcels, 3.6 per cent for Print Post and 3.1 per cent for line-haul charges. According to director of mailing house D&D Mailing Services, David Docherty, who was quoted in The Australian, the combined effect of these rises is an average increase of 4.6 per cent for publishers posting out magazines – presumably with similar impacts on associations mailing magazines.
While prices are reviewed each year, in the past they have been adjusted in September - making this review two months earlier than expected.
Publishing peak body Publishers Australia has taken Australia Post to task over the increases, arguing that they do not reflect the current level of inflation or the severity of the business climate, and believe that insufficient notice has been given of the change, particularly given the timing.
Publishers Australia executive director Alan Sarkissian said, "Postal increases are inevitable, although as it has been only nine months since the last rise, the 6th July increase is seen by the association and the majority of its members as not being in the spirit of fair play, or in line with the Rudd Government’s strategies to keep companies afloat in these challenging times."
Publishers Australia has also challenged Australia Post spokesperson Jo Willoughby's assertion that the increases were necessary because of direct cost pressures incurred by Australia Post, and that in fact, the full measure of these costs were not being passed on through the increases.
Associations may have to review costs associated with magazine production in light of these impending increases.
Australia Post has announced it will lift its rates from 6 July 2009, by 3.9 per cent for parcels, 3.6 per cent for Print Post and 3.1 per cent for line-haul charges. According to director of mailing house D&D Mailing Services, David Docherty, who was quoted in The Australian, the combined effect of these rises is an average increase of 4.6 per cent for publishers posting out magazines – presumably with similar impacts on associations mailing magazines.
While prices are reviewed each year, in the past they have been adjusted in September - making this review two months earlier than expected.
Publishing peak body Publishers Australia has taken Australia Post to task over the increases, arguing that they do not reflect the current level of inflation or the severity of the business climate, and believe that insufficient notice has been given of the change, particularly given the timing.
Publishers Australia executive director Alan Sarkissian said, "Postal increases are inevitable, although as it has been only nine months since the last rise, the 6th July increase is seen by the association and the majority of its members as not being in the spirit of fair play, or in line with the Rudd Government’s strategies to keep companies afloat in these challenging times."
Publishers Australia has also challenged Australia Post spokesperson Jo Willoughby's assertion that the increases were necessary because of direct cost pressures incurred by Australia Post, and that in fact, the full measure of these costs were not being passed on through the increases.
Associations may have to review costs associated with magazine production in light of these impending increases.
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