--- title: "Association Tech: Is Your IT Chief a Visionary?" id: "37000" type: "post" slug: "association-tech-is-your-it-chief-a-visionary" published_at: "2017-02-16T23:39:25+00:00" modified_at: "2026-03-16T18:40:13+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2017/02/16/association-tech-is-your-it-chief-a-visionary/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2017/02/16/association-tech-is-your-it-chief-a-visionary.md" excerpt: "An association tech insider says technical skills aren’t the only thing needed to run an IT department in 2017. Also: What first-time event planners should know." taxonomy_category: - "Meetings / Events" taxonomy_post_tag: - "advice" - "AssociationsNow" - "event planning" - "major events" - "Technology" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "Association CEO / Executive Director" - "C-Level" - "Executive Team" - "VP" taxonomy_persona: - "Association Professionals" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » Association Tech: Is Your IT Chief a Visionary? It’s not just about having someone in charge of the IT department. That someone needs to have a strategic mind to keep your innovation flowing. [A recent post by Delcor’s David DeLorenzo (opens in a new tab)](https://www.delcor.com/resources/blog/your-association-must-have-cio-level-skills-to-achieve-digital-transformation) makes the case that a CIO mindset—that is, someone who can strategize and manage an increasingly outsourced network of vendors—is essential for associations to succeed on an innovation front. “As the digital landscape rapidly changes the association technology stack, many organizations are seeking more than an operational IT leader whose experience is in the network architecture world,” DeLorenzo writes. “Instead, they’re focused on finding a strategic leader who has a more visionary approach and sees technology as a business solution.” In his post, DeLorenzo [breaks down exactly (opens in a new tab)](https://www.delcor.com/resources/blog/your-association-must-have-cio-level-skills-to-achieve-digital-transformation) what that kind of leadership entails. Does your head of IT have a skill set like that? ### A Little Advice > What Advice Would You Give to Someone Planning Their First Major Event? [https://t.co/B0BjaZlfHT (opens in a new tab)](https://t.co/B0BjaZlfHT) > via [@BizBash (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/BizBash?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [#assnchat (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/hashtag/assnchat?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [#meetingplanner (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/hashtag/meetingplanner?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) > [pic.twitter.com/KvBFn1TIHX (opens in a new tab)](https://t.co/KvBFn1TIHX) > > — Streamline Data (@StreamlineData) [February 16, 2017 (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/StreamlineData/status/832274138597310465?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) **If you’re new to planning events,** getting going can prove a big challenge, and it’s good to have some insight from folks who have already been in the thick of it. Which is why *BizBash*’s [recent “Readers’ Forum” piece (opens in a new tab)](http://www.bizbash.com/what-advice-would-you-give-to-someone-planning-their-first-major-event/new-york/story/33533/?utm_content=bufferbc7ce&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer#.WKXbhZ1tlP1) , which features event pros offering advice to folks putting on their first major event is such a compelling read. One highlighted piece of advice from SAP Events Strategic Director Richard Rogers: > “Don’t break it. ‘Major’ events have a certain amount of inertia and a team of people that have a stake in the program. Don’t try to make sweeping changes right away. The program is successful for a reason.” Check out the post for a few more. ### Other Links of Note **iPhone user with an interest in privacy?** [This guide from Lifehacker (opens in a new tab)](http://lifehacker.com/the-privacy-enthusiasts-guide-to-using-an-iphone-1792386831) will help you ensure you’re keeping your info safe. **Twitter’s next move to stop trolls?** [It’s effectively throttling the reach of people (opens in a new tab)](http://www.theverge.com/2017/2/16/14635030/twitter-shadow-ban-moderation) who have been deemed abusive by its network—making it so that only their direct followers can read their comments. **Speaking of social networks,** Facebook is [launching a job board (opens in a new tab)](https://www.fastcompany.com/3068140/the-future-of-work/now-you-can-apply-for-a-job-on-facebook) —which means, if you already have one, you have some major new competition. (iStock/Thinkstock) [Ernie Smith](https://associationsnow.com/author/ernie-smith/) Ernie Smith is a former senior editor for Associations Now. [More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/ernie-smith/) Tags: [#advice](https://associationsnow.com/tag/advice/) [#event planning](https://associationsnow.com/tag/event-planning/) [#major events](https://associationsnow.com/tag/major-events/) [#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/) - [PodcastAssociations Now Presents: Beyond the Contract: Building Stronger Destination PartnershipsSeptember 24, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/09/24/associations-now-presents-beyond-the-contract-building-stronger-destination-partnerships/) - [VideoMelvin Tennant, CAE, President & CEO of Meet Minneapolis, Welcomes You to Great Ideas 2026September 2, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/09/02/melvin-tennant-cae-president-ceo-of-meet-minneapolis-welcomes-you-to-great-ideas-2026/) - [VideoASAE TV Daily Recap: Final Day at the 2026 ASAE Annual Meeting & ExpositionAugust 24, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/08/24/asae-tv-daily-recap-final-day-at-the-2026-asae-annual-meeting-exposition/) ## 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%2F2017%2F02%2F16%2Fassociation-tech-is-your-it-chief-a-visionary%2F%23comments) to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/) !