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Season 2, Episode 5 - Learning by Association

The Essential Role of Non-Dues Revenue for Associations With Sean Soth

Sean Soth joins us to talk about navigating the evolving landscape of association revenue, elevating business development to enable sustainable growth, and developing mission-centric strategies for generating non-dues revenue.

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Highlights

02:48

An introduction to Sean and PAR

06:52

What COVID showed associations about the importance of non-dues revenue

09:58

The value of business development

11:40

Dues in the stratosphere of strategy

14:53

Putting a priority on non-dues revenue

15:57

Advice for associations looking to generate non-dues revenue

21:18

Making the case for new membership models

23:20

Pandemic pivots

26:08

Being the best place to collaborate

27:46

85% of associations have an underperforming business development strategy or none at all

Increasing non-dues revenue is critical for associations, especially in the face of evolving member expectations and economic pressures. It’s about sustaining growth and delivering valuable services that move members and the industry forward. 

But wanting to accelerate non-dues revenue is one thing. Bringing initiatives to life is another. For many associations, it can feel like a big shift, testing traditional membership models and putting pressure on already precious resources. 

The key is to make sure your approaches to generating non-dues revenue align with your association’s mission and reflect your members’ needs and goals. 

In this episode, Sean Soth, executive vice president of strategy and global partnerships for the Society of Clinical Research Sites (SCRS) and founder and leadership advisory board chair for Professionals for Association Revenue (PAR), joins us to talk about: 

  • navigating the evolving landscape of association revenue
  • developing mission-centric strategies for generating non-dues revenue
  • getting buy-in for different membership models from association leadership
  • elevating business development to enable sustainable growth
  • leaning into the expertise vendors and industry partners bring to the table 

Speakers

View next

How Associations Can Drive Growth With Non-Dues Revenue With Sean Soth

Season 2, Episode 6

Sean Soth joins us to discuss how focusing on non-dues revenue can help associations enable innovation, relevance and financial stability in an increasingly competitive landscape.