--- title: "Associations Groups Pinpoint Audiences with Mobile Apps" id: "16262" type: "post" slug: "associations-groups-pinpoint-audiences-with-mobile-apps" published_at: "2013-03-05T20:00:45+00:00" modified_at: "2026-03-15T19:48:26+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2013/03/05/associations-groups-pinpoint-audiences-with-mobile-apps/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2013/03/05/associations-groups-pinpoint-audiences-with-mobile-apps.md" excerpt: "What do Girl Scouts, sailors, and taxi drivers have in common? Their organizations have pinpointed what customers or members want in a mobile app—leading to better brand visibility, higher sales, and increased member engagement." taxonomy_category: - "Membership" taxonomy_post_tag: - "apps" - "AssociationsNow" - "Membership" - "Technology" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "Association CEO / Executive Director" - "C-Level" - "Executive Team" taxonomy_persona: - "Association Professionals" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » Associations Groups Pinpoint Audiences with Mobile Apps “If you’re going mobile, your need to really understand your audience.” That was just one piece of advice from Bob Panger, senior director of information systems at the American Marketing Association, at the [Emerging Technology Trends conference](https://associationsnow.com/2013/02/responsive-design-or-an-app-why-not-both/) in Chicago last month. Whether you’re implementing responsive web design or creating a new mobile app, you need to know who you’re trying to appeal to and what they find valuable, Panger told attendees at the conference, sponsored by TMA Resources, Inc. “So if you go [mobile], it’s going to be something that they’re going to want and that they’re going to use.” How can you do this? Here are three recent examples of industries building mobile apps around what their customers value. **The Girls Scouts of America**, in what might be a dream come true for Thin Mint lovers everywhere, recently launched a new mobile app that uses geolocation to find the nearest Girl Scout cookie booth. “We don’t go to every single retailer, so there were a lot of people who just wanted to know where they could go” to buy cookies, Girl Scout volunteer Melda Carter [told Biz Report (opens in a new tab)](http://www.bizreport.com/2013/02/girl-scouts-of-america-further-integrate-mobile-into-cookie.html) . Building on the success the Girl Scouts saw last year after instituting mobile payments for cookie purchases, the Cookie Finder app provides mapped directions, as well as dates and times, to locations where troops will be selling their trademark goodies. **The Cruising Association**, which provides resources for more than 4,300 cruising sailors, launched an app to help its members better navigate the seas. [With the Captain’s Mate app (opens in a new tab)](http://www.sail-world.com/cruising/canada/Cruising-Associations-mobile-App,-going-gangbusters/106706) , members can view thousands of industry cruising reports—which include information ranging from an out-of-position buoy to marina restaurant reviews—as well as upload their own reports. The British association has seen the number of reports received quadruple since the app’s launch last year, and five times as many members are uploading reports. **The** **Taxicab, Limousine & Paratransit Association**, though it has not created an app of its own, is encouraging its members to adopt mobile technology as soon as possible. TLPA CEO Alfred LaGasse [told USA Today (opens in a new tab)](http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2013/02/28/app-hails-tracks-taxis/1955553/) that mobile apps allowing people to track taxis and other transport vehicles are a confidence builder for customers. “Consumers simply like seeing the vehicle and knowing approximately when it will pick you up,” said LaGasse. But he warned that apps should not be a requirement, “because transportation clientele come from all walks of life and not all have smartphones.” Have you identified ways to provide something valuable to your members in an app? Share your ideas in the comments. ***Correction:** Due to an editing error, the original version of this story incorrectly identified the sponsor of the Emerging Technology Trends conference. The conference was sponsored by TMA Resources, Inc.*Associations Now*regrets the error.* (Stockbyte/Thinkstock) [Katie Bascuas](https://associationsnow.com/author/katie-bascuas/) Katie Bascuas is a former associate editor at Associations Now in Washington, DC. [More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/katie-bascuas/) Tags: [#apps](https://associationsnow.com/tag/apps/) [#Membership](https://associationsnow.com/tag/membership/) [#Technology](https://associationsnow.com/tag/technology/) **Stay Informed** [Subscribe to our free newsletter](https://associationsnow.com/newsletter/) , *Associations Now Daily News*, to find out what’s happening in the association world every business day. ## You Might Like - [PodcastAssociations Now Presents: Beyond the Tech Stack: How AI Is Changing the Association PlaybookOctober 29, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/10/29/associations-now-presents-beyond-the-tech-stack-how-ai-is-changing-the-association-playbook/) - [TemplateMembers onlyMember Onboarding ToolkitNovember 5, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/11/05/member-onboarding-toolkit/) - [VideoThe Career Moves Every Association Leader Needs Right NowSeptember 24, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/09/24/the-career-moves-every-association-leader-needs-right-now/) - [VideoNCRA: Safeguarding Cancer Surveillance: An Advocacy Response to FY26 Budget ThreatsSeptember 24, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/09/24/ncra-safeguarding-cancer-surveillance-an-advocacy-response-to-fy26-budget-threats/) ## Comments **Comments are for ASAE members.** [Learn more about comments on this site.](https://associationsnow.com/comments/) [Log in](https://associationsnow.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fassociationsnow.com%2F2013%2F03%2F05%2Fassociations-groups-pinpoint-audiences-with-mobile-apps%2F%23comments) to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/) !