‘Not Going to Let Up’: Lessons from Award-Winning Associations

By Carolyn Shomali, PAR Director of Content
2 Minute Read

---

After running a clinical trial site for nearly a decade, Christine Pierre saw a gap that needed fixing.

The sites, which are critical to determining a drug’s effectiveness, lacked a strong voice in the clinical research process. That realization became the spark for a new mission, and a new association: The Society for Clinical Research Sites (SCRS).

Pierre got to work. She spread the word, tapped into her network, and planned the first-ever global conference for research sites.

Twelve people showed up.

“I suggested that maybe it was a bad idea,” recalled her husband, Mike Pierre. “But she just did what you have to do with associations. If you have an idea, as she would say, ‘I’m not going to let up on this.’”

That unwavering commitment to using the collective voice of an association to improve an industry is at the heart of the Pierre Award, presented annually by the Professionals for Association Revenue at the RevUP Summit. Pierre passed away in 2018 from ocular melanoma, but SCRS continues to live out her vision of uniting the global research site community for greater site sustainability.

Since its founding in 2012, SCRS has grown to nearly 12,000 members. And that modest global conference attended by 12 people? It’s grown into six international conferences drawing over 3,500 attendees each year.

Pierre’s vision paired with her business approach is the foundation of the Pierre Award. Since 2022, the honor has recognized associations that effectively align business strategy with mission impact.

Take the 2024 honoree, the Society of Interventional Oncology (SIO). SIO led a groundbreaking, industry-supported clinical trial in interventional radiology — raising $6 million in partnership funding. The trial’s success has already led to a second trial now underway.

“It’s a powerful statement to bring industry competitors together,” said Jena Eberly Stack, SIO Executive Director. “The ability to bring competitors together in a way that unites the community has been a powerful message.”

The 2023 recipient, the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP), reimagined its Clinical Trials Day campaign, resulting in a major boost in visibility, engagement, and sponsorships — including a 200% increase in sponsor revenue.

"We identified numerous opportunities to deepen engagement with—and then elevate the voices of—our industry partners, members, and the global clinical research community, while connecting ACRP's mission and programming to the campaign theme,” said Lisa Townsend, ACRP’s Marketing Director.

The inaugural 2022 award went to the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), which turned direct partner feedback into new educational resources. Those additions boosted revenue and delivered timely, relevant content to members as part of its IDWeek event.

“Our industry partners’ voice has value,” said Dana Johnston, then associate director at IDSA.

Each year, finalists represent the wide variety of industries that associations represent. They've included the School Nutrition Association (SNA), the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) and the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) among others. Each finalist reflects Christine Pierre’s legacy of leveraging business outcomes to drive mission-driven innovation. The Pierre Award isn’t just about growth. It’s about recognizing the powerful impact associations can make when they align strategy, business, and purpose.

Nominations for this year’s Pierre Award are now open. Share your association’s story here.