This message was sent to ##Email## To advertise in this publication please click here October 13, 2022 To view email in web browser, click here. .TOP NEWS Getting smart about research EventGarde Association executives use research all the time. We run surveys and focus groups to better understand our members' most important goals and most pressing problems so we can make good decisions about the programs, products, and services we offer to meet those needs. We sponsor industry studies to help our members and other audiences make good decisions about investing their resources wisely. READ MORE How technology's past and present will affect future member experiences Higher Logic Communication between associations and their members used to be manual and physical. It started with a paper membership form you’d put your credit card info on and snail mail. Members would get a physical membership card and maybe a printed membership directory. Once a year, they might attend an event, which was also a very manual affair. You'd talk to someone on the phone, and they'd hopefully get your info right and sign you up for the right thing. Learning opportunities were also in-person and conducted the same way. The cost of creating and delivering content was high and limiting. READ MORE Increasing member engagement through technology Association Adviser You might view SMS text messaging as a form of communication that is not used in a professional setting. However, many associations are using SMS text to engage with their members. Texting is a powerful marketing platform because it's able to drive higher conversion rates — upwards of 29% — than many other marketing methods. READ MORE Employer-paid membership dues: Tips to help your members out MemberClicks As amazing as your member benefits and association values are, membership dues can be a roadblock for potential members. And while there are many ways that you can help tear down this roadblock (discounted fees, payment plans, grants, etc.), one option is to educate potential members on employer-paid membership dues. READ MORE .A SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR AfSAE SPONSORS                         .AFRICA NEWS After Ghana's tourism boom, Kenya and South Africa launch campaigns to attract US visitors Travel Noire On the heels of Ghana's "Year of Return" success in 2019, with 1.1 million visitors and a $3.3 billion impact, Kenya and South Africa have launched similar programs to boost tourism recovery. Both countries are focused on attracting North American visitors as the rebound from COVID-19 restrictions continues. READ MORE A new Google Cloud region heads to South Africa Capacity Media Delivering on its $1 billion pledge to Africa, Google confirms its intention to establish a Google Cloud region in South Africa. READ MORE Africa: WTO anticipates sharp slowdown in world trade growth in 2023 AllAfrica Trade growth is expected to lose momentum in the second half of this year and remain subdued in 2023, as the global economy sustains multiple shocks, such as ripple effects from the war in Ukraine, the latest forecast from the World Trade Organization has revealed. READ MORE African tourism potential to be unlocked by boosting air connectivity The North Africa Post While effective air connectivity within Africa is key to unlocking the potentials of tourism on the continent, unfavorable visa regimes, insecurity, high cost of air transport and low quality of tourism support services among other factors are hindering the growth of tourism in Africa. READ MORE .NORTH AMERICA NEWS Watch out, Royal Caribbean: This cruise line is bringing more big new ships to North America The Points Guy Make that five ships that MSC Cruises soon will have in North America. The fast-growing, Europe-based cruise line said it would boost its ship count at major North American cruise hubs such as Miami; Port Canaveral, Florida; and New York from three to five by late 2023 as it continues a rapid expansion in the market. READ MORE .ASIA NEWS No reprieve for Asian currencies as Fed's rate hikes continue, EIU says CNBC Asian currencies will likely continue weakening for another quarter — if not more, as U.S. interest rates rise, the Economist Intelligence Unit reported. READ MORE .GENERAL ASSOCIATION NEWS The difference between content marketing and thought leadership MultiBriefs Content marketing and thought leadership have been two of the biggest buzzwords the last few years, but what's the difference in them? Are they the same? How do you succeed in each marketing initiative? READ MORE The value of annual and long-term communications plans for associations Association Adviser Many associations seem to forget about the importance of a communications plan, especially when they have their head down working on the day-to-day tasks that always seem extra important in the moment. However, setting your intentions for how you want your association to progress and succeed in the future is just as important as the tasks you need to complete to survive the day. READ MORE Content hub boosts member retention Associations Now In 2017, the Urban Land Institute started to delve into the key drivers of membership and how it could translate those into tangible benefits and ensure it was delivering on the value proposition its members wanted. Through benchmarking surveys and other assessments, members revealed that the main reasons they joined ULI were for networking (95 percent) and access to content (85 percent). READ MORE The macroeconomic trends impacting meetings and events today Skift Meetings Conversational-style sessions with top executives dug deep into trends impacting the meetings and events industry at the Skift Global Forum. The labor shortage, inflation, geopolitical unrest, and sustainability were issues discussed at length. READ MORE   AfSAE News Brief Connect with AfSAE Hailey Golden, Director of Publishing, Multiview, 469-420-2630 | Download media kit Loyd Brumfield, Content Editor, 469-420-2614 | Contribute news AfSAE News Brief 484 Bradford Drive  |  Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa  +011-465-0334  |  Contact Us  Click here to unsubscribe.  Learn how to add us to your safe sender list so our emails get to your inbox. ADVERTISE SUBSCRIBE PAST ISSUES   7701 Las Colinas Ridge, Ste. 800, Irving, TX 75063