At the end of August, several of us at AT had the privilege of attending (and sponsoring!) the NiUG Conference 2023, and I'm excited to share some of the key insights and highlights from this event for those who couldn't make it.
The NiUG Conference, short for the "National iMIS Users Group Conference," is an annual gathering of professionals from across the globe who are dedicated to leveraging the power of iMIS. The conference was held on August 21 – 23 in Rosemont, IL. The conference focused on the iMIS EMS version (although much of it applies to iMIS 2017 as well), which is 100% cloud-based, and featured sessions on topics such as RiSE, IQA, Report Writer, Moving to EMS, Cleaning Your Data, Connecting Third Party Apps to iMIS and so much more. Sessions were held as round tables, hands-on training and presentations and led by industry experts from both the technology side as well as the client side. Here are some of the key takeaways from this year's event:
Cutting-Edge iMIS Features: The conference kicked off with a deep dive into the latest enhancements and features in iMIS. From streamlined member management to advanced reporting capabilities, iMIS continues to evolve to meet the ever-changing needs of associations and nonprofits.
Success Stories: Attendees had the opportunity to learn from real-world case studies of organizations that have achieved remarkable results using iMIS. These success stories showcased innovative approaches to member engagement, fundraising, and event management.
Networking: NiUG Conference is known for its exceptional networking opportunities. It provided a platform for attendees to connect with peers, share best practices, and forge valuable professional relationships.
Workshops and Training: Numerous hands-on workshops and training sessions were held throughout the event. These sessions equipped attendees with practical skills and knowledge to optimize their use of iMIS.
Industry Trends: Discussions on industry trends and future predictions were prevalent. Topics included data privacy, cybersecurity, and the role of technology in shaping the future of associations and nonprofits.
Vendor Exhibits: The exhibition hall was bustling with vendors (including AT!) showcasing cutting-edge products and services that complement iMIS. It was a great opportunity to explore solutions that can enhance your organization's efficiency and effectiveness.
NiUG hosts monthly webinars on various topics and other, in-person events as well. Even if you’re not a member of NiUG, you can still attend the webinars and other events! We encourage our clients to take advantage of the free/inexpensive iMIS training that NiUG has to offer. Another advantage to attending the events is that you receive the presentation materials and the recordings of ALL the sessions held at the event. Check out the NiUG website: https://www.niug.org/ to learn more about NiUG. Mark your calendars for 2023 TechXchange, 11/1 – 11/3 in Bethesda, MD. I would love to see you there and perhaps sample the local crabcakes!
Speaking of iMIS education, I will also be attending the 2023 iNNOVATIONS USA Conference hosted by ASI. It is being held 9/27 through 9/28 in Reston, VA. I encourage you to check out the agenda and consider attending (https://www.advsol.com/Innovations/)!
While we had an incredible experience at the NiUG Conference, we understand that not everyone could attend. However, we're committed to sharing the knowledge and insights gained at this event with you. If you have any questions or would like to discuss how the latest developments in iMIS can benefit your organization, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. |
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| Northern Illinois Food Bank |
This month, the employees of AT continued their volunteer work at the Northern Illinois Food Bank. On National Day of Service, September 11th, the AT team celebrated Hunger Action Month by packing 1,960 pounds of food and providing 1,633 meals for people in need.
There are a half million people relying on the food bank to feed themselves and their families. The mission of the Food Bank is "leading the Northern Illinois community in solving hunger by providing nutritious meals to those in need through innovative programs and partnerships." We welcome our clients and business partners to volunteer with us. Please contact Lisa if you would like to join us for an upcoming volunteer event. |
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The Arthroscopy Association of North America (AANA) is an international professional organization of more than 5,000 orthopaedic surgeons and other medical professionals who are committed to advancing the field of minimally-invasive orthopaedic surgery to improve patient outcomes. They endeavor to be up-to-the-minute, free of commercial bias, and to curate the most relevant information for their members and customers.
AANA's Education Foundation has raised over $1 million to support AANA's mission of advancing the field of arthroscopic surgery and improving patient outcomes |
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Lynnsey Ruiz, M.S. is the Melissa Villegas is the Senior Terri Bruce, CFRE is the
Senior Manager of Marketing Manager of Governance and the Director of Development at
and Membership at AANA. She Executive Office at AANA. In AANA. With almost three
coordinates the marketing, partnership with the Chief decades in Fundraising, Terri
graphic design and membership Executive Officer, Melissa has raised countless dollars
functions of the association as manages all governance and for various association
well as serves as the liaison to operations-related functions, foundations and has
the Membership and Fellowship and oversees additional shared her experiences and
Committees. special projects as needed. expertise with others. |
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Now for a few questions to get to know a little more about our friends at AANA:
What do you enjoy most about working for AANA?
Lynnsey - The people make it fun and the flexibility is great.
Melissa - The AANA Team and leadership. We truly have a great group of colleagues who value and appreciate each other.
Terri - The people – AANA management believes in its people and are always willing to go above and beyond when possible. The understanding, care and consideration of that goes into making the staff part of a team, as well as individuals with different needs and professional goals is well managed and nurtured.
What has been your career highlight so far?
Terri - AANA’s 40th Anniversary in 2021 offered the opportunity for the AANA Education Foundation to conduct a special campaign in its honor. Through legacy gifts, individual donations and amazing industry partnerships, the campaign raised a total of $4.4 million dollars towards education, research and innovation.
Tell us three things about yourself.
Lynnsey - My top three obsessions are Christmas, glitter and McDonald’s Diet Coke.
Melissa - I love to dance, workout and thrift shop for fun.
What is the best piece of professional advice you have ever received?
Lynnsey - Trust your gut.
Melissa - Ask questions.
Terri - It was a snowy Chicago morning and those of us who managed to make it to the office were all gathered around sharing our morning agony. We all have worked for medical associations for most of our careers except for one colleague who was a medical professional. She reminded us that while our work was important, we are not saving lives by being in the office. It might have been a better decision to stay home and off the roads that day. That statement continues to give me perspective when managing work-life balance and office emergencies.
What is your favorite movie or tv show?
Lynnsey - Favorite movie: The Holiday
Melissa - Favorite TV show: X-Files
Terri - Favorite TV show: Suits- I am rewatching and still loving it.
What is your favorite vacation destination and why?
Terri - My favorite vacation destination is … a new place. Other than visiting family, I don’t like to always go back to the same place over and over again. The world is a big place and I want to see it all.
What is your favorite family tradition or activity?
Lynnsey - For birthdays, we always get each other two cards – one funny and one sentimental and number then in the order they should be opened (usually funny first!).
Melissa - My favorite family tradition is waking up early the day after Thanksgiving and as a family heading up north to choose the perfect Christmas tree. Once we find our tree, we each take turns cutting it down and carrying it back to the wagon. The family then spends the afternoon decorating our Christmas tree while listening to holiday music. |
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| Starting Steps for Finding a Marketing Automation Tool That Integrates With Your AMS |
To better serve members and improve efficiencies for staff, it’s important to have a marketing automation platform that works in tandem with an organization’s association management software. Asking questions and understanding current processes can help associations select the right marketing tools.
Read More |
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| Survey: Spike in Use of AI in Email Marketing |
The report by RPE Origin found growing use in AI tools, but also concern about how recipients will feel about “creepy data.”
Read More |
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We have an archive of our newsletters and industry related
articles available on our website, click HERE to access them.
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| Association Forum's Brand Refresh: Unveiling the Secrets to Success |
Location: Webinar
In this session, we will discuss why young professionals aren't joining associations and how leaders can respond, based on ongoing, multi-year research from Highland, a Chicago-based innovation consultancy, in their Future of Membership initiative.
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| OCTOBER |
| 18 |
| 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM CDT |
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| ASAE's Improve Governance with Technology Investments |
Location: Online
When the world shifted to embrace remote and hybrid environments, association boards pivoted quickly to adapt to this new landscape. This transition was critical to maintaining effective governance amidst evolving circumstances, Yet, many associations haven't invested in a complete solution to streamline and enhance their governance practices.
With limited budgets and competing priorities, investing in an innovative solution is challenging. Learn how new solutions can have a wide-ranging positive impact across the entire association, making a compelling case that connects with decision-makers.
Join ASAE governance solutions partners for an insightful discussion on how governance-focused technology investments improved governance efficiency and effectiveness for many associations. |
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| NiUG 2023 TechXchange |
Location: Bethesda, MD
Join us at the only advanced iMIS event November 1-3 in Bethesda, MD. This premier event enables you to discover innovative ways to streamline your association and advance your career through 3 days of immersive training, powerful keynotes, and connecting with your peers. |
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| HighRoad Solutions Webinar: Visualizing the Digital Member Journey |
Location: Online
Marketing and membership are constantly talking about the member journey - but what are they really talking about? While teams focus on optimizing campaign assets like email copy, landing pages, and adverting banners, sometimes it’s hard to visualize where your member is in the marketing funnel. Join us as we demonstrate how to understand where your members are in their engagement lifecycle with you and the actual paths they’re taking across multiple channels before converting. |
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| NOVEMBER |
| 16 |
| 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM CDT |
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| Association Forum's Association 101 |
Location: Association Forum Headquarters, 10 S. Riverside Plaza, Suite 800, Chicago, IL
An orientation for association professionals, Association 101 is designed to provide a solid foundation of knowledge and appreciation for the unique environment, culture and dynamics of associations. |
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