This insights post is a summary of the blog post published by RH Strategic. View the full insight at: The Power of Many: How Associates can Help Your Communication Strategy.
Trade associations—groups of businesses in the same profession that collaborate and work together towards common objectives—are more than networking groups. They can be your organization’s insurance policy against federal whiplash. When groups like the American Public Health Association, Association of American Universities or National Council of Nonprofits mobilize collective advocacy or issue joint statements, those groups can carry weight that individual companies can’t match.
The need for collection advocacy is something that is playing out in real time across multiple sectors. With tariffs threatened on electronic components like LED lights and lithium batteries, the Consumer Technology Association, whose member companies range from tech titans like Amazon and Verizon to small device manufacturers, coordinated a strategic response. The associations responses included a six-figure ad campaign and meetings with Capitol Hill lawmakers.
In higher education, many associations are filing legal challenges on behalf of individual institutions. They are using associations to lead a response to the administration’s funding and policy changes.
Strategic Framework for Association Engagement
According to RH Strategic, there are several elements of a strategic communications framework that will provide the maximum impact including:
- Identify appropriate industry associations: Searching the internet can provide a list of national-level industry associations. For more specific results, we recommend searching within your state or region.
- Consult your network: Ask colleagues or partners in the same field if they or their organization belong to any associations.
- Research your shortlist: Research an associations activities and understand what benefits they provide their members. Look for groups that do more than just issue press releases; they file amicus briefs, testify at hearings and have leadership with direct access to key officials.
- Join or engage with an association: Many associations have information on how to join as an individual or as a company. Be aware that associations can require fees or annual dues which go towards their activities or resources.
To get more details about the framework and engaging with an association, read the full post at: The Power of Many: How Associates can Help Your Communication Strategy.
