by Towsif Nasor, PMP

I recently passed the two-year mark as an IT Consultant in the association space. Through the last couple of years, I have seen how Association Management Systems (AMS) can transform organizational operations, member engagement, and overall efficiency. However, much like any professional relationship, getting the most out of your AMS requires strategic planning, proactive management, and a clear understanding of what your goals are.

This month, while we are all surrounded by heart-shaped balloons and messages of devotion and affection, it's a great time to consider how you can “love” your AMS – by making sure it works seamlessly for your organization. Here are professional best practices to leverage better value from your AMS:
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As we dive into 2025, I’m sharing a series of blog posts on trends that will shape the future of associations. Each post features a different association or business leader answering one key question: 

What is the single most important trend mission-driven organizations should prioritize in 2025 to drive member engagement and organizational growth?

​I’ll also be adding my own insights and takeaways, drawn from years of experience in Fractional IT leadership, IT strategy, and digital transformation, to help associations translate these ideas into actionable strategies.

Easy-to-Use Software and Marketing Tools for Member Engagement

As we welcome the New Year, I’m continuing a series of blog posts exploring the trends set to define the future of associations. In each post, a different association or business leader will answer the following key question:
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by ​Christopher E. Maynard 

As we navigate through 2024 and into 2025, artificial intelligence (AI) continues to be a transformative force in the business world. Building upon rapid advancements from previous years, organizations are increasingly leveraging AI to enhance operations, drive innovation, and gain a competitive edge. However, this surge in AI adoption brings both opportunities and challenges. This article delves into what has come of the AI movement in business, explores its future trajectory, examines how it aids and impedes organizations, assesses the benefits and risks, and evaluates whether businesses are truly capitalizing on this technological revolution.
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by ​Christopher E. Maynard 

For decades, associations and professional societies have leaned heavily on Association Management Systems (AMS) to manage their core functions—membership tracking, event coordination, and educational programming through live events. These systems have been the backbone of organizational operations, ensuring that day-to-day activities run smoothly. However, as the landscape of these organizations has significantly transformed over time, traditional AMS solutions have struggled to keep pace with the evolving needs.
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by Towsif Nasor, PMP
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Over the last two years, one of my biggest focuses has been helping organizations implement and optimize Association Management Systems (AMS). Through this experience, I have been able to write about various aspects of AMS implementations and learned many valuable lessons along the way. This article brings my reflections together to share insights that can support your organization through this process. 
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We’re excited to introduce the newly redesigned Strategico Consultants website! Our goal with this new site is to provide our clients with a streamlined, informative, and engaging online experience that highlights our expertise and how we can help associations achieve more through our IT consulting and leadership.

Association Management Systems (AMS) typically serves as the central repository for membership data.  Unfortunately, staff typically do not love using these systems.  When implemented properly, these systems provide robust capabilities that help drive member engagement and member experience forward, while also allowing organizations to manage operations, communications, event registration, member data and have a holistic view of an individual’s profile.

In the rapidly evolving digital landscape, the role of an association’s member portal seems more essential than ever. Association professionals have experienced firsthand how these portals can serve as the primary medium for member engagement. If implemented correctly, these tools can not only facilitate communication, but also help provide resources and provide a starting point of engagement. Unfortunately, most member portals are not implemented in a way that supports membership engagement. This article explores the member portal, how they are used today, and some ideas for how we can improve their use moving forward.