Membership
Meet a Member: John Mark Wallach, Engagement Mobile Strategies
John Mark Wallach, CEO emeritus of Engagement Mobile Strategies, is an expert and advisor in the association community on innovative mobile technology, strategic planning, and collaborative partnerships. Wallach, who goes by Mark, speaks at industry events and advocates on behalf of ALS organizations. He joined PAR in 2024. Here, Wallach shares how he constantly adapts his company, what he considers associations’ currency, and which revenue strategies help his team win.
Meet a Member: Rachel Druckenmiller, UNMUTED
Rachel Druckenmiller, president of UNMUTED, is a national thought leader in well-being and employee engagement. She delivers interactive learning experiences as a keynote speaker, workshop facilitator, and leadership trainer for an array of national and international organizations. A member of the PAR community since 2021, she spoke at the RevUP Summit and won a GOAT Award. Here, Druckenmiller shares her latest lesson in overcoming negative feedback, how to not just motivate but activate your team, and her keys to earning referrals and repeat business.
Associations’ Existential Crisis — and How to Fix It
Phil Putnam says there’s a real existential crisis of association membership and revenue, and we only have 9–12 years to change it. Hint: “Participation is no longer its own virtue, and there’s no more, ‘If we build it, they will come,'” warns Putnam, PAR’s RevUP Summit 2026 keynoter.
In this exclusive interview with PAR, the speaker, author, and cross-generational leadership expert provides exactly what you need to do if you want your association to exist past 2035.
Meet a Member: Jamila Perry Harley, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
Jamila Perry Harley, MEd, CCC-SLP, CAE, is the director of career management services for the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. She joined PAR in 2024 and is a member of PAR’s 2026 Business Development Leadership Accelerator Group. Here, she shares how her new speaker series will benefit members and sponsors, why innovation must be grounded in relationships, and what has sustained ASHA for over a century.
Meet a Member: Trent Nole, Water Environment Federation
Trent Nole is an account executive for new business development at the Water Environment Federation, a technical and educational nonprofit based in Alexandria, Virginia, that represents water quality professionals around the world. He joined PAR in 2025 and is a member of PAR’s 2026 Accelerator Group for Sales Practitioners. Here, Nole shares his highly consultative, client-first approach to driving sustained revenue growth, including the key questions he asks that disrupt the status quo. Plus, get to know him better in our rapid-fire Q&A.
Beyond the Annual Survey: Why Continuous Member Feedback is the Future of Association Growth
For years, associations have relied on a familiar tool to understand their members: the annual survey. It’s structured, expected, and often seen as a key listening mechanism. But according to CredSpark founder and CEO Lev Kaye, that approach is no longer enough — and it may even be holding associations back.
Bridging the Gap: How Sales, Marketing, and Membership Can Win Together
Maneesha Manges, Suzanne Carawan
Associations need both marketing, membership, and sales working as one unit with a drive towards shared goals. While this sounds like a no-brainer statement, it’s…
Meet a Member: William Hutabarat, Steel Erectors Association of America
William Hutabarat is director of membership and business development for the Steel Erectors Association of America. He joined PAR in 2024. Here, Hutabarat shares how he expanded SEAA’s social media presence, explains how being an effective mentee brought him success, and reveals his association’s secret sauce. Plus, get to know him more in our rapid-fire Q&A.
How APIC Created Member Value and a New Revenue Stream In Just 14 Months
Discover how APIC created three association certification prep courses in 14 months—delivering member value and a new revenue stream through internal and external collaboration.
Meet a Member: Jennifer Troke, APRO
Jennifer Troke is the Vice President of the Association of Progressive Rental Organizations (APRO) and is profiled in this month’s PAR “Meet a Member.”
APRO’s Advocacy Fellowship and How Momentum Drives the Future (S2:E5)
If sustainability, advocacy, partnerships or a new generation of members is of importance for your association, this is a 13-minute episode you won’t want to miss. Find out how the Association of Progressive Rental Organizations (APRO) is engaging a new generation of members to advocate for its industry in Washington. Plus, learn why momentum is the key to your association’s success – and how to build it, thanks to author and keynote speaker Brant Menswar.
Is It Easy to Do Business With Your Association?
Buyers don’t want friction in purchasing options. They want clear paths to solutions. Bundling is one way to get to the core problem that so many associations face when it comes to showing their value – it makes it easy for their customers to conduct business. Learn how the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) is figuring this out to increase both engagement and revenue.
Meet a Member: Brett Kell, MDS
Brett Cell is the Director of Business Development for the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society (MDS) and is profiled in this month’s PAR “Meet a Member.”
RTDNA’s Bold Event Changes and Data to Drive Sponsorship (S2:E4)
If your association is looking for ways to create a more engaging annual event, this episode is for you. Tara Puckey, MBA, CAE, CMP is the Executive Director of the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA). In 2021, RTDNA shrank the size of their event and has made bold decisions ever since aimed at fulfilling the event purpose: meaningful connection. Listen to the episode to find out how they are doing it. Plus, hear from Joe Colangelo (Bear Analytics) and event expert Vinnu Deshetty on how to use data to drive the ultimate sponsor engagement for your next event.
Meet a Member: Camille Walker, APHL
Camille A. Walker is the Manager of Corporate Relations for the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) and is profiled in this month’s PAR “Meet a Member.”
Adopting a Business Development Mindset: Essential Strategies for Membership
The acquisition of a new member signifies the moment when someone acknowledges the value in your organization and its mission. Amy Lestition Burke is the CEO of the Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA) and shares her insights into how any association can take a business approach to building its member community.
Executive Take: Big Ideas for Associations
Associations have the opportunity to pioneer new opportunities for business that will impact their missions. We asked the most recent PAR GOAT Award nominees to share one big idea for associations to consider in 2024.
Executive Take: Big Ideas for Membership
In PAR’s 2023 Business Development Landscape Report, 87% of respondents said membership was the “highest priority for revenue.” Find out what this group of association professionals say associations should consider for membership in 2024 and beyond.
The Member Benefit Your Association Might Be Undervaluing
New data shows there is one area that is growing increasingly important to members, but is undervalued by associations.
How to Grow Your Membership With Active and Engaged Volunteers
Associations Council is making it easy for volunteers to say ‘yes’ with toolkits, incentives and open communication. The result? Engaged members who are vital to growing the membership base.