Report Says Associations Need to Prove Their Relevance

A new survey has found that associations are under increased pressure to demonstrate their value.

The Looking Forward Impact 2026 report, released last week by Association Laboratory, Inc., notes that associations face increased competition "for education, advocacy and community… particularly by for-profit organizations." That shift, combined with substantial “general economic pressures and financial uncertainty” among members, means that joining an association is increasingly perceived by many as an option, not a necessity.

The report is based on a survey of 206 membership and trade associations conducted between November 2025 and January 2026.

Please select this link to read the complete article from Associations Now.