• No dues or educational fee increases
for members
• Sharper negotiation with hotels to
remove any attrition liability or
reduce it by reducing rooms when
appropriate
• Increase development of online programming to ensure members can
maintain CME credit hours and stay
engaged with the association, even if
they’re unable to travel
• Encourage use of electronic handouts, replacing the need to print and
ship to conferences.
The Academy of General Dentistry
focuses most of its educational attention
on its annual meeting. For the association’s 2009 meeting, AGD considered
the economy in its programming by devel-
Analysts have mixed
opinions about when the
economy will rebound.
However, most agree that
the environment truly
is different now and will
likely remain so.
oping new topic areas. According to
AGD’s Director of Education Rebecca
Murray, the association has assisted its
members by:
• Developing new programs, such as
“How to Generate New Business in a
Down Economy” and others, to help
physician practices remain strong
during a difficult time
• Enhancing online education and
focusing marketing messages on the
ability to earn continuing education
credits without traveling
• Employing many other financial and
programming incentives throughout
the year to encourage increased
member participation.
Looking Ahead
Analysts have mixed opinions about
when the economy will rebound. However, most agree that the environment
truly is different now and will likely
remain so. It’s perhaps time for a bold,
new strategy in 2010. While there are
many tactics association educators can
