April 2026

Member retention is no longer just a renewal‑time issue. Artificial intelligence, economic uncertainty and global instability are changing how members assess value and relevance - with clear implications for risk management in associations.

April 2026

Member retention is an important benchmark for associations.   Drawing on our research with association members over the past decade, this article examines members’ likelihood of renewing and the reasons why they may not renew.

March 2026

AI is already embedded in how work gets done, but capability is not keeping pace. New research from RMIT and Deloitte Access Economics reveals a growing generational divide between those who are supported to build AI skills and those left to work it out alone, with real implications for productivity, wages, and professional standards. For associations, this shift raises a sharper question: how do you keep your whole profession moving forward, not just parts of it?

March 2026

If your advocacy isn’t backed by credible data, it’s built on opinion. And opinion doesn’t hold up when decisions are on the line. Most associations know they need better industry data, but it often gets pushed aside for more immediate priorities. This piece outlines a practical way to build industry data you can stand behind, strengthening your position with government, your board, and your members, without overloading your team.

March 2026

There is a growing gap between the role associations are expected to play and the data they have to support it. In a rapidly changing environment, relying on fragmented or external data is no longer enough. This article outlines the five measures that underpin meaningful industry intelligence, and why owning this data is critical to leading your industry.

February 2026

Artificial intelligence is already reshaping your members’ jobs, not in theory, but in task lists, promotion criteria and entry-level pathways. Yet many associations are still focused on how AI can improve internal efficiency, rather than what it means for the professions you represent.

The real strategic question is not how you use AI, but how prepared your members are for it.

February 2026

Drawing on analysis of more than 20,000 unprompted member comments, our latest article reveals a subtle but important shift in what members now see as the true value of belonging. CPD remains central, but advocacy has surged and expectations around information and support have sharpened in ways many associations may not yet fully appreciate.

If you want to understand how member priorities are evolving, and what that means for your strategy in 2026, this is essential reading.

January 2026

The latest PwC Global CEO Survey reveals a growing disconnect at the heart of AI adoption in Australia. Closing this gap will require coordinated, evidence-based action, and professional and industry associations have a central role to play.

January 2026

As economic pressure, technological disruption and accountability expectations intensify, association boards can no longer rely on assumptions or legacy thinking. This article outlines seven critical questions boards and CEOs should be asking to ensure their association is equipped to lead.

October 2025

As artificial intelligence advances across Australia’s economy, reshaping work, productivity and the skills required for success, the question is no longer whether AI will impact your profession -it's whether your members will be ready when it does.

October 2025

Associations have always been powerful voices for their professions, but in today’s data-driven world, stories alone aren’t enough.

September 2025

Your brand is your reputation. It’s how members, policymakers, stakeholders, and the public perceive your authority, credibility, and value. And, in a crowded landscape where trust is the main currency, your brand is your most powerful strategic asset - anad it’s built on data.

September 2025

“There’s no policy without data.” This message from Jodie Mackenzie, CEO, Australian Counselling Association (ACA), anchored the Unmasking Influence panel discussion at AuSAE’s annual conference ACE25.

July 2025

Too often, member surveys are treated like a tick-the-box task, something to do once a year, then move on. But when used well, quantitative research can do much more than report on satisfaction. It can reveal what members actually value, where you're underdelivering, and which levers really drive engagement and retention.

July 2025

In the final article of our Gen Z series, we compare two major studies, seven years apart, to unpack what really drives younger members to join and stick with associations. The results might surprise you. Turns out it’s not about being ‘digital natives’ or chasing trends. It’s about where they are in their careers.

June 2025

What Gen Z wants from the membership experience once they’re in the door, and what associations need to offer if they want to attract and retain this emerging generation of professionals.

June 2025

To understand what drives young professionals to join associations, what keeps them engaged, and what turns them away, we recently surveyed more than 400 Gen Z members and non-members across Australia.

May 2025

Associations can’t afford to rely on assumptions—especially during times of change. Timely member insights are the foundation for strong advocacy, smart strategy, and meaningful support.

May 2025

In a time of political change, global volatility, and shifting national priorities, associations need to lead with data. The stakes are high—and the organisations that invest in evidence now will be best placed to deliver results for their sectors in the years ahead.

April 2025

Free tools make DIY member satisfaction surveys tempting. They're affordable, quick, and can boost direct member engagement. However, hidden pitfalls like confirmation bias, poorly designed questions, and biased sampling can severely compromise data reliability and strategic decision-making.