member engagement

Read more about the article Small Experiments, Big Lessons: Rethinking Member Engagement

Small Experiments, Big Lessons: Rethinking Member Engagement

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast powered by OnWrd & UpWrd, we continue our special fall series with Highland, exploring how associations can better attract, engage and retain younger professionals. Host Colleen Gallagher and special co-host David Whited, Principal of Research & Strategy at Highland, sit down with Laura Burch, Vice President of Product Evolution, and Kelsey King, Director of Product Development and Management, at the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) to explore how small, intentional experiments can help associations tackle big questions around member engagement, career support and retention. From testing an AI-powered career tool to rethinking how existing resources reach members, Laura and Kelsey share what worked, what didn’t—and why an experiment that doesn’t produce the expected result can still create tremendous value.

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Read more about the article Career Pathways That Keep Members Engaged for the Long Haul

Career Pathways That Keep Members Engaged for the Long Haul

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast powered by OnWrd & UpWrd, we continue our special fall series with Highland exploring how associations can better attract, engage and retain younger professionals. Host Colleen Gallagher and special co-host David Whited, Principal of Research & Strategy at Highland, sit down with Sid Bhatnagar, CEO of the American Society for Quality (ASQ), to explore how associations can become career-long resources for their members. If your association is rethinking how it supports members throughout their careers, this conversation is for you.

Continue ReadingCareer Pathways That Keep Members Engaged for the Long Haul
Read more about the article Beyond Swag: Strategic Gifting and Emotional Loyalty for Associations

Beyond Swag: Strategic Gifting and Emotional Loyalty for Associations

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast, host Colleen Gallagher sits down with Jamie Shibley, Co-Founder & CEO of The Expressory, to talk about how thoughtful appreciation can become a real strategy for retention, sponsorship loyalty, and long-term trust—not just a year-end “nice to have.” Drawing on her roots in her grandfather’s relationship-driven flower shop and years in corporate and e-commerce, Jamie shares how associations can use simple, intentional touchpoints to make members, sponsors, and donors feel genuinely seen. Whether you’re behind on holiday planning, rethinking how you thank sponsors and donors, or looking for new ways to support member renewals in 2026, this conversation will help you move beyond generic swag to meaningful, strategic engagement.

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Read more about the article From Joining to Staying: Rethinking How Associations Engage Gen Z

From Joining to Staying: Rethinking How Associations Engage Gen Z

In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast, we kick off our May spotlight series on Gen Z and younger professionals in the association space—powered by our partners at Highland. Our guest is David Whited, Principal of Design Research & Strategy at Highland, an innovation consultancy helping mission-driven organizations uncover member needs and build digital solutions that meet them. David shares eye-opening insights from Highland’s Young Professional Membership Index (YPMI)—an annual national survey and benchmarking tool that’s helping associations uncover the real barriers to Gen Z and young professional engagement. 🎧 If you’ve been wondering why younger members aren’t joining—or why they don’t stay—this conversation is for you.

Continue ReadingFrom Joining to Staying: Rethinking How Associations Engage Gen Z