A look at current innovations in traditional membership models that give insight into how association membership models will change in the future.

1. How membership in associations and other
bodies will look different in 2026?
Greg Melia, CAE
Chief Member Relations & Strategy
Development Officer
ASAE: The Center for Association Leadership
www.asaecenter.org
Email: gmelia@asaecenter.org
Twitter: @gmeliaCAE

2. What Is Membership Today?

3. What are
membership
innovations are
we seeing
today?

4. The Whitney Museum

5. Insider Membership Family Membership
The Art of Membership by Sheri Jacobs, CAE
Niche: Same Product, Different Interests
• Admission to
curatorial lectures
• Behind the
scenes tours
• Quarterly “insider”
recommendations
on NYC events
• Admission to
family programs
• Kids passport
• 50% off stroller
tours
• Family guides
for major
exhibits

6. Niche Interests: Students
• What are the challenges?
– Money
– Finding a job
– Building a network
• What might be solutions?
– Sponsored student dues
– Training at introductory levels
– Connections to mentors
– Helping to find internships/jobs
– Connecting to other young
professionals
http://www.aiche.org/
Partnership with industry companies to give
students free access to membership and
student-focused benefits
A unique online community created for and by
young professional chemical engineers. Learn
new skills, solve challenges, find mentors,
engage with other chemical engineers, and
gain more exposure to hiring companies.

7. Core Membership
Geared to provide a relevant and
immediate response to members' most
frequent questions through peer
assistance and a sophisticated online
knowledge system.
Dues: $250 per year
Premium Membership
Access to an account management
team, advanced business and public
relations consulting, customized
research, peer assistance, and a
professional e-journal.
Dues: $2500 per year
Niche Interests: Varying Levels of Service

8. AIGA
the professional association for design
Niche Interests: Levels of Engagement & Investment

9. Individual
• Build Job Skills (programs & networks)
• Manage Your Career (mentoring)
• Stay Informed (magazine, e-news)
• Save Money (registration discounts,
fellowships)
• Make the Case for Museums
(advocacy)
Dues: ($50 - $90)
Museum Membership
• Strive for Excellence (standards,
resources)
• Distinguish Your Museum (directory)
• Stay Informed (magazine, e-news)
• Save Money (registration discounts)
• Make the Case for Museums
(advocacy)
Dues: Pay what you can - $8,000
Serving Both Organizations and Individuals

10. US Chamber Of Commerce
Friends
Portfolio of Engagement Options
Members

11. • Restructured membership model – focused on providing defense contractors
access to government employees
• Removed membership dues for government employees – grew membership
from a handful to 21,000
• Automated of join process to remove barriers to joining
• Allow individuals to join, then sell upgrade to organizational membership
• Data-mining & Business Intelligence from AMS enabled segmentation
• Results – Doubled revenue with same staff
Focusing on Business Results for Members

12. Membership Organizations of the Future will:
1. Serve many niches – provide value to demographic and functional niches.
2. Appeal to both individuals and organizations.
3. Create a portfolio of engagement options – from friend to customer to varied
membership opportunities.
4. Be results oriented. Membership is not the end goal; rather, enabling
meaningful outcomes for members.
5. Leverage technology – to allow for targeted, customized service (and self-
service) in cost-effective ways.

13. Thank you!
Twitter: @ gmeliacae Email: gmelia@asaecenter.org
Let ASAE help you succeed.
www.associationsnow.com
(Subscribe to FREE daily e-Newsletter)
Greg Melia, CAE
Chief Member Relations & Strategy Development Officer
ASAE: The Center for Association Leadership