A Lesson from the Disney Playbook

By: Sheri Jacobs, CAE
Visit Sheri's blog at www.avenuemgroup.com
 
One of my favorite races, The Walt Disney World Marathon, offered a clever new way to give runners a race experience unlike any other. They partnered with the magazine, Runner's World to offer customized training plans, connections to experts and VIP treatment during the race weekend. Runners also received a private packet pick-up, exclusive pre-race walkout to the race start corrals, books and publications and an invitation for VIP access to a post-race celebration. Only a limited number of spaces are available and I've heard that the offer quickly sells out each year even though runners must pay an additional $300.


Can this approach work in the association world? Absolutely.

The American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM) took a new approach to pricing a highly valued and often sold-out course that prepares individuals for the hospice and palliative medicine board certification exam. Similar to the approach taken by Disney or the airline industry, AAHPM staff created a pricing structure that offered practitioners the opportunity to attend the intensive board review course at a budget-friendly price (coach class) or with additional benefits (first class).

As part of the process, AAHPM staff identified a list of benefits that would provide additional value to attendees and provide a boost in revenue for the organization. In addition to offering member and nonmember prices to attend, AAHPM offered a limited number of "premium seats" for an additional $250. Participants who paid the extra fee received:

• Reserved seating in the "preferred section" (the first five rows of the middle section of the room);
• A special "express" registration line and entrance into the lecture hall;
• A wine and cheese reception with course faculty; and
• A special gift from AAHPM, including two popular AAHPM books (Primer of Palliative Care and the accompanying workbook), an AAHPM pen, mints and a Starbucks gift card.

The result? According to Steve Smith, CAE, AAHPM's executive director, AAHPM sold 120 of 126 premium seats prior to the course, generating an additional $25,000 in net revenue. On site, staff sold the last four seats and raffled two remaining seats to other attendees.

Excerpted from the new ASAE-Wiley Series book The Art of Membership: How to Attract, Retain, and Cement Member Loyalty, by Sheri Jacobs, CAE. Used with permission of Jossey-Bass Publishers, © 2014. (Available at ASAE Bookstore, Amazon and Barnes and Noble)

We want to hear from you!

Has your organization tried this approach at one of its events? Leave a comment and let us know what you did and how it worked!

Upcoming Webinar on Practice Innovation

The Physicians Foundation will be holding a webinar, titled "Practice Innovation: New Models for the 21st Century," on Wednesday, October 2nd, from 1-2pm Eastern Time. It will be an opportunity for participants to learn about new and innovative practice models being tested and used around the country.

The session will be led by Mary Phillips of GMA Foundations, and speakers include the following past grantees of the Physicians Foundation:  

• L. Gordon Moore, M.D. of Ideal Medical Practices
• Sandra Robinson of the California Medical Association Foundation
• John M. Wiecha, M.D., MPH of Boston Medical Center  

Those interested in attending the webinar can register by clicking this link:
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3137800929693808896

Budgeting for 2014 - Don't Forget about your Professional Development!

For more information and event details visit www.aamse.org/Rates, or contact AAMSE at aamse@aamse.org.

Call for Topics: 2014 Annual Conference

Would you like to share your skills and expertise with the rest of AAMSE?

      Have you heard a speaker so dynamic that you'd like to see them at the
      AAMSE Annual Conference?

      Did you read an article and wonder if the same principles could be applied
      to medical society management?

      Now is the opportunity you've been waiting for - a chance to tell AAMSE
      the topics that are of interest to YOU.

     

We are looking for topics with case studies that specifically focus on medical society management in the following categories:
        
Advocacy: 
Topics focus on the process of defending, maintaining or stopping a legislative proposal on behalf of medicine, which includes but not limited to government affairs and practice viability. Possible topics include: grassroots organizing, lobbying, political action committees and current advocacy trends.
 
Association Management: 
Topics focus on the executive and administrative aspects of operating a medical society, such as administration, financial, operations, governance and legal duties.

Communication: 
Possible topics focus on developing and disseminating pertinent information to stakeholders (staff members, legislators, media and public), social media strategies, publications, marketing and public and media relations.

Leadership: 
Topics could focus on guiding and influencing of others to enlist their support and action, leadership development, principles of leadership and physician leadership.
 
Membership: 
Topics for consideration pertain to the recruitment and retention of members to medical societies, membership marketing, survey design, research tools and membership trends.

Professional Development: 
Topics could focus on the process of progressing in one's career through education and training, earning CAE, conflict resolution, personal branding, improving communication skills, stress management and work-life balance.
 
Technology: 
Topics for consideration are new technology and tools that improve medical societies efficiency, website design, mobile and online technologies, using social media and hot trends.
 

Click here to suggest a topic and/or speaker!

Suggestions must be submitted by August 23

 
 

Save the Date

AAMSE Annual Conference
Louisville, Kentucky ● July 30 - August 2, 2014
The AAMSE Annual Conference is the nation's premier meeting of medical society professionals. The goal is to provide education and training while enjoying unique opportunities to meet and interact with colleagues and experts from around the nation.






      

The 2013 Annual Conference is Just Around the Corner!

In 14 days the 2013 Annual Conference will be beginning; as you are getting ready to depart for St. Louis here are a few quick reminders:

• The CadmiumCD app will be going live the second week of July; if you have been using the online scheduler you will receive an email with instructions on how to download it. Because internet availability will be limited at the Annual Conference, please download the app, along with any of the presentations and session materials you wish to have access to during the conference, before arriving in St. Louis.

• There will be printing capabilities at the Cyber Café this year courtesy of ABCOM! Please think of the environment before printing too many pages.

• The registration desk will be located outside of the Ballroom Pre-Function on the Lobby Level of the Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis.

• Please remember to wear your name badge and conference ribbons to all AAMSE functions at the hotel.

• Arriving early in St. Louis? The Membership Marketing Workshop starts at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, July 17 in the Ritz-Carlton Ballroom. There is still space available– add it to your online conference schedule to attend!

• Wednesday’s Opening Reception will begin at 6:00 p.m. in the Ritz-Carlton Ballroom. Don’t miss the chance to kick off the conference with friends while enjoying an assortment of hors d’oeuvres.

• Be sure to visit with all of the AAMSE Exhibitors and Sponsors. Show your support for the organizations that support you.  Stop by their booths in the AAMSE Exhibit Hall on Thursday and Friday. Rumor has it some lucky attendees will walk away with prizes!

• There will be plenty of opportunities to network with your colleagues, peers and the exhibitors – don’t forget your business cards!

• Follow AAMSE on Twitter for conference updates and news.  Tweeting about the conference? Use #AAMSE13

• Don’t forget to wear your comfy clothes as we continue the tradition of “Jeans at the Meeting” on Saturday, July 20

• If you have any questions or would like additional information about the conference, contact us at aamse@aamse.org

We look forward to seeing you in St. Louis!

AT&T ForHealth - Exhibitor Announcement

We'd like to thank AT&T ForHealth for their continued commitment to AAMSE and the 2013 Annual Conference. 

 

AT&T ForHealth is accelerating the delivery of innovative wireless, cloud-based and networking services and applications to help the healthcare industry improve patient care and reduce costs.  We believe that the use of mobile technologies and smart networks can help create a healthier world.  For more information, visit www.att.com/healthcare/solutions. 

YourMembership.com - Exhibitor Announcement

We’d like to thank YourMembership.com for their continued commitment to AAMSE and the 2013 Annual Conference.

YourMembership.com empowers associations and cause-oriented organizations to create, engage and grow while increasing their revenue and relevance. What we do for thousands of organizations and can do for AAMSE members: Automate association management making operations and member management easier, faster and less expensive. Lower technology cost while increasing member acquisition,engagement and retention rates through the use of hosted suite of member management, marketing, event and online community tools. Increase non-dues revenues and member value with full service online job boards, career centers, buyers guides and additional member-oriented services.

RCL Portrait Design – Meeting Sponsor Announcement

We’d like to thank RCL Portrait Design for their continued commitment to AAMSE and the 2013 Annual Conference.

RCLPortrait Design has provided medical societies, hospitals and bar associations with quality master portraits for use in pictorial, legal and website directories and for other promotional needs. RCL is committed to customer satisfaction, personal service and quality photography. Stop by our table at the AAMSE Annual Conference for your complimentary portrait.

National Healthcare Career Network (NHCN) - Meeting Sponsor Announcement

We’d like to thank National Healthcare Career Network for their continued commitment to AAMSE and the 2013 Annual Conference.

The National Healthcare Career Network (NHCN) is a growing network of 270 plus healthcare associations, such as Emergency Nurses Association and American Hospital Association, who have linked their online job boards and are working together to become the healthcare employer's most powerful resource for accessing talent. These associations have joined the NHCN to more effectively tap into the $1 billion spent annually in this area of online job posting.

Tele-Town Hall – Exhibitor Announcement

We’d like to thank Tele-Town Hall for their continued commitment to AAMSE and the 2013 Annual Conference.

Tele-Town Hall is the creator of telephone town hall technology— considered by many to be a powerful and convenient communication tool for interactivity on a global scale. For more information, visit www.teletownhall.com.

Job Target - Exhibitor Announcement

We’d like to thank JobTarget for their continued commitment to AAMSE and the 2013 Annual Conference.

More than 1,000 associations rely on JobTarget to become the premier career hub for their industry. JobTarget powers their online career centers, provides sales and marketing support, and runs their on-site and virtual career events. For more information, contact Tristan Jordan at (860) 440-0635 Ext. 352 or t.jordan@jobtarget.com.

The Gateway Arch - Open for Visitors

Every Friday AAMSE's Gateway to Discovery will be featuring interesting information about the 

2013 Annual Conference host city: St. Louis.

On June 10, 1967 the Gateway Arch in St. Louis was officially opened to the public.  Celebrate this milestone event with a few fun facts about the Gateway Arch.

To learn more about the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial and the Gateway Arch, visit their the Gateway Arch website.

 Don't forget to register and book your accommodations for the 
2013 Annual Conference: 

Registration Rate:  Member: $500 ~ Non-members: $575

REGISTER NOW!
 

The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis

100 Carondelet Plaza, St. Louis, MO

$149/night + tax, single/double

BOOK NOW!

 

Dispensary of Hope – Exhibitor Announcement

We’d like to thank Dispensary of Hope for their commitment to AAMSE and the 2013 Annual Conference.

The Dispensary of Hope is a national not-for-profit that recovers surplus medications and redistributes them to charitable clinics and pharmacies across the US.  Through their Fill the Box, Fill the Need campaign, physicians donate excess sample medications once a month.  Practices save money by reducing medical waste costs, increase compliance through Dispensary of Hope record-keeping, and save time- all while providing vital treatment to the uninsured. 

Avectra – Exhibitor Announcement

We’d like to thank Avectra for their continued commitment to AAMSE and the 2013 Annual Conference.

For two decades, Avectra has translated its customers' needs into market-leading software and services. Using Avectra's membership management, donor management and crowd-contributing solutions, associations and not-for-profits can connect with constituents, partners and prospects in entirely new ways; create more meaningful engagements; and drive bottom-line results. Headquartered in McLean, Virginia, Avectra also has regional offices in Chicago and Orlando. For more information, visit www.avectra.com or call 855-AVECTRA (855-283-2872).

AnzuMedical – Exhibitor Announcement

We’d like to thank AnzuMedical for their continued commitment to AAMSE and the 2013 Annual Conference.

AnzuMedical is a digital knowledge platform that allows medical societies to create a truly engaged member community by providing educational material, clinical cases, CME, industry reference material and peer collaboration all easily accessible via the iPad.

Advanced Solutions International (ASI) – Exhibitor Announcement

We’d like to thank Advanced Solutions International for their continued commitment to AAMSE and the 2013 Annual Conference.

Advanced Solutions International (ASI) is a recognized global industry thought leader that focuses on helping associations and not-for-profits increase operational and financial performance through the use of best practices, proven solutions and ongoing client advisement.

CommPartners - Sponsor Announcement

We'd like to thank CommPartners for their continued commitment to AAMSE and the 2013 Annual Conference.

CommPartners is the leader in helping associations and non-profits deliver meaningful online education and engagement opportunities. We provide social learning communities and learning management systems (LMS), webinar and webcast production services, engaging hybrid events, mobile webcasting, SCORM compliant courses and conference production services.

St. Louis - the "King of Beers"

Every Friday AAMSE's Gateway to Discovery will be featuring interesting information about the 

2013 Annual Conference host city: St. Louis.

  

In the spirit of Memorial Day weekend cookouts and barbeques, there seems no better time to share some history and interesting facts about St. Louis' own Anheuser-Busch Brewery - you can even use these trivia tidbits to impress your friends and family this holiday weekend!

• 1852 - Eberhard Anheuser becomes part owner of the Bavarian Brewery in St. Louis. 

• 1860 - Anheuser buys out the Bavarian Brewery and renames it E. Anheuser & Co.

• 1861 - Anheuser's son-in-law, Adolphus Busch begins working at the brewery.

• 1870's - Busch becomes the first American brewer to use pasteurization, artificial refrigeration and refrigerated rail cars - allowing for cross country distribution - making Budweiser the first national beer brand.

• 1879 - E. Anheuser & Co. is renamed Anheuser-Busch Brewing Association.

• 1933 - August A. Busch, Jr. and Adolphus Busch III give their father, August A. Busch, Sr., six Clydesdale horses to commemorate the repeal of Prohibition.

• 1950's - As president, August A. Busch, Jr. creates a national network of nine breweries, increasing their beer sales from 3 million barrels to 34 million barrels. 

• 1957 - Anheuser-Busch becomes the leading U.S. brewer, a designation it still holds to this day. 

• 1982 - Bud Light is introduced.

• 2008 -  Anheuser-Busch and InBev combined to become Anheuser-Busch InBev. The new company is the world’s largest brewer and one of the top 5 consumer goods companies in the world.

• Take the Anheuser-Busch Brewery Tour to learn more about the 161 year old brew house and visit the Clydesdales in the stables next door. For more information visit the Anheuser-Busch website. 

 Don't forget to register and book your accommodations for the 2013 Annual Conference:

Registration Rate:  Member: $500 ~ Non-members: $575

REGISTER NOW!
 

The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis

100 Carondelet Plaza, St. Louis, MO

$149/night + tax, single/double

BOOK NOW!

 

photos courtesy of Kath's photostream, ann-dabney's phtotstream and Reading Tom's photostream

I.C. System – Exhibitor Announcement

We’d like to thank I.C. System for their continued commitment to AAMSE and the 2013 Annual Conference.

I.C. System has provided Intelligent Connections since 1938.  Currently, 500 societies and associations recommend our ethical, effective services to their members.  We are the member-services agency and the medical collection experts:  thousands of physicians/clinic clients; strict compliance programs; certified, skilled medical collectors; and much more.  Please contact the Association Relations team at (800) 279-6520 or AssociationTeam@icsystem.com.

Association Development Solutions – Exhibitor Announcement

We’d like to thank Association Development Solutions for their continued commitment to AAMSE and the 2013 Annual Conference.

Association Development Solutions is a Chicago-based fundraising firm that is dedicated to serving associations.  We understand the industry and offer creative solutions to fit your unique needs.  With an innovative approach and unwavering commitment to client service, ADS assists organizations in achieving extraordinary results.

Channel Your Inner Lewis & Clark

Every Friday AAMSE's Gateway to Discovery will be featuring interesting information about the 

2013 Annual Conference host city: St. Louis.

209 years ago, on May 14, 1804, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark departed from 20 miles northwest of St. Louis, Missouri, marking the beginning of their westward expedition, The Corps of Discovery. 

Commissioned by Thomas Jefferson, Lewis and Clark along with the 31 other members of the Corps of Discovery spent two years trekking across the newly acquired Louisiana Purchase.  During their exploration of the vast and unknown western territory they traveled over 8,000 miles and made numerous discoveries about the geography, plants, animals and native people of the American West.




At the 2013 AAMSE Annual Conference in St. Louis, we encourage you to make your own discoveries as you explore educational sessions planned specifically for and by medical society professionals, take in the sights of St. Louis and enjoy the fabulous surroundings of  the Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis hotel.

Don't forget to register and book your accommodations for the 2013 Annual Conference:

Early Bird Rate, before May 22: Member: $425 ~ Non-member: $500

Regular Rate, after May 22:  Member: $500 ~ $575 

REGISTER NOW!

The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis

100 Carondelet Plaza, St. Louis, MO

$149/night + tax, single/double

BOOK NOW!

photo courtesy of jennlynndesign's photostream

CadmiumCD - Meeting Sponsor Announcement

We’d like to thank CadmiumCD for their continued commitment to AAMSE and the 2013 Annual Conference.

CadmiumCD provides conference proceedings, on-site audio recording, synchronization of presentation slides with audio, speaker data collection, review tools, poster galleries and online itinerary planners. Products can be distributed on CDs, DVDs, USB Sticks or online. Each one has an elegant, easy-to-use interface suitable for any number of speakers.

This year AAMSE is partnering with CadmiumCD to offer Annual Conference attendees a convenient online scheduling tool.  This online scheduler will allow you to:

• Design your individual conference schedules from the selection of sessions being offered. 
• Read the session descriptions, educational objectives/takeaways and speaker profiles when selecting sessions to help you choose the sessions that are most relevant to you.  
• Easily adjust or rearrange your schedule online if you want to change any of the sessions you selected.  
• Access your schedule through an online app that is compatible with both Apple and Android devices.  
• Session PowerPoint slides and presentation materials will be uploaded to the site in early July allowing you to access them and take notes directly on the slides and materials via your tablet, computer or Smartphone during the conference.  

If you have already registered for the Annual Conference, watch your inbox, as instructions on how to access the online scheduler will be sent out soon.

If you have not yet registered for the AAMSE 2013 Annual Conference, visit the Annual Conference website for more information and to register now.