BY DEBRA BACHMAN-ZABLOUDIL, FACHE, CAE
Industry listservs have been abuzz this year about
how to curb the effects of the negative economy. Cost-cutting measures are certainly one solution. However,
cost cutting alone will not put associations where they
want to be long term — in a state of progress, growth
and vitality.
It is a combination of prudent cost cutting and investment in the future that
will help associations remain the viable,
vibrant source of information and inspiration their members need to help their
own businesses maintain a competitive
edge in this economy, and in brighter
days to come.
Several associations are doing just
that. According to Barb Choyke, associate executive director of continuing
education, meetings and exhibitions at
the American Association of Oral and
Maxillofacial Surgeons, the economy
consistently has been on staff’s minds
since early 2008. To provide some
financial relief to members, and to
encourage continued innovation, the
