Planning next year’s annual meeting? Here’s another thing to add to the to-do list: Look into green initiatives. Come 2020, sustainability will be more important to events than ever before, according to CWT Meetings & Events’ M&E 2020 Future Trends Report.

“The sustainability of the meetings and events industry, in fact of the entire travel industry, is at the forefront of companies’ and planners’ minds in 2020,” said Derek Sharp, senior vice president and managing director at CWT Meetings & Events, in a press release. “It’s driven by news coverage of climate change but, more importantly, it’s supported by the next generation of travelers—the millennials who are poised to become the biggest group of business travelers globally from 2024 onwards, and the centennials who are right behind them.”

For planners, that means taking a closer look at meeting operations. Eliminating plastic waste, creating locally sourced menus, and choosing green and ethical suppliers and venues are all considerations that should be taken into account and acted on, where appropriate. The risk of not doing so, as the press release points out, has major consequences for your brand and bottom line.

Make the Most of Your AMS

Don't be in the dark about your member base. With an AMS that integrates with the key players in your tech stack, you can smartly and seamlessly engage members throughout the member journey. #assnchat @fonteva @JakeFromFontevahttps://t.co/LCy9OsfZyx

— Higher Logic (@HigherLogic) October 22, 2019

Sure, your organization has an association management system—the question is whether you’re using it effectively. And that starts with creating comprehensive member profiles.

“Gathering accurate member information is essential to every aspect of association management,” writes the Higher Logic team on its blog. “Your team needs to know what programming your members have participated in, whether they’ve paid their dues, and more.”

AMS platforms that integrate with your association’s online community and are customizable ensure that you’re capturing the most up-to-date, relevant information on your members.

But don’t just hold on to the data once you have it. Use your AMS to run reports and analyze the information to find ways to better suit member needs.

“When you keep your members’ data organized and can incorporate it into your communication strategies and reporting, you’ll be able to provide them with the personalized opportunities they’re looking for,” the team says.

Other Links of Note

Looking for a new marketing strategy? Use your online courses to make a name for your brand, says Classy.

Instagram and YouTube can help build up your association’s credibility. Social Media Examiner explains how to leverage the platforms.

Does your volunteer program run background checks? The VolunteerMatch blog shares what volunteers think about that choice.

(lionvision/iStock/Getty Images Plus)