Association Vision has achieved outstanding results for many clients. A number of campaigns and achievements reflecting a wide range of activities are described here.

Public Relations (click here for success stories)

AIHA National Public Relations Campaign
ASAE – Center for Association Leadership Merger
GWSAE “Party Animals” Publicity Campaign
Center for Association Leadership Launch
Nation’s Capital Distinguished Speakers Series
IARW-WFLO Public Relations
DRI International Public Relations and Speaking Engagements
PCMA Public Relations
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington Publicity
ConventionPlanit.com Publicity and Partnership Building
MCT Federal Credit Union Public Relations
Association Internet Radio Network Publicity
The Wiley Group Publicity and Speaking Engagements
Ahh Hah! Discovery Tools Public Relations

Public Relations Special Events (click here for success stories)

CCR Congressional Briefing
Al-Anon Capitol Hill Luncheon
Westfields Marriott “Hospitality Olympics”

Publishing (click here for success stories)

NACS Magazine Launch
PMMI Magazine Feasibility Study
Better Sleep Council Magazine Launch
IARW Newsletter Publishing
ABA Staff Restructuring
Executive Update CEO Profiles
SESMA Membership Directory
SSA Membership Directory
SFA Publishing Consulting

Communication Audits (click here for success stories)

AIHA Communication Audit
ASPS Public Relations Audit
SSA Strategic Communications Analysis
ABIH Communication and Marketing Audit
NUCA Publishing Audit

Marketing (click here for success stories)

AIHA Multimedia Presentations
AMT Strategic Marketing Plan
FPA Annual Meeting Brochure
AASLD Membership Brochure
TIA Web Site Promotional Toolkit

Interim Communication Services (click here for success stories)

BOMA Public Relations and Publishing Services
ICPA Magazine Publishing
IAFF Editorial Services

Public Relations

AIHA National Public Relations Campaign
Association Vision serves as the public relations agency for the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA). We are now in the third year of an ongoing campaign to generate media coverage about the role of industrial hygienists in protecting the health and safety of workers and the public. Recent successes include a broadcast news story on MSNBC about contaminated floodwaters in New Orleans and a story on FOX News about the dangers of illegal methamphetamine labs. A radio spot Association Vision produced about mold cleanup aired on dozens of stations in several markets, and we generated coverage of Hispanic worker safety issues on the Spanish-speaking Univision television network and on Spanish-speaking radio programs in San Diego in connection with the American Industrial Hygiene Conference & Exposition. The multifaceted AIHA program has featured a public relations audit, a messaging workshop with the AIHA Board of Directors, member focus groups, several media training seminars, a campaign to place dozens of articles in leading trade publications in a range of industries, creation of national and local media kits, and production of multimedia presentations for students and convention exhibitors.

ASAE – Center for Association Leadership Merger
Association Vision was hired to handle public relations for the merger involving the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), the Center for Association Leadership, the Greater Washington Society of Association Executives (GWSAE) and the ASAE Foundation. Association Vision President Al Rickard developed the communication plan for the merger, organized the press conference announcing the intent to merge, handled media relations throughout the due diligence and member communication process, gathered and organized member and stakeholder input, planned the final press conference announcing the approval of the merger, and prepared member and stakeholder announcements of the merger approval. Many positive articles about the merger appeared in the media. He also wrote a comprehensive White Paper summarizing the entire merger process to be used as a resource by other associations.

GWSAE “Party Animals” Publicity Campaign
Association Vision leveraged the “Party Animals” community art project in Washington, DC in 2002 to gain excellent media coverage for the Greater Washington Society of Association Executives (GWSAE). We negotiated with the city’s Arts Commission to obtain two sculptures (one donkey and one elephant) to be painted by children from the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington. The art theme for each of them related to associations, raising community awareness of the role of associations in the region. Association Vision generated live coverage of the children painting the sculptures on Fox 5 Morning News, plus other broadcast coverage on WRC-TV Channel 4, News Channel 8, and WTOP Radio. Photos of the children at work were also featured in prominent photographs in The Washington Post and Roll Call newspapers. The finished sculptures were displayed outside the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington, DC and featured in trade press coverage. Association Vision also created and managed a fundraising campaign and bid on the sculptures in a community-wide auction to obtain them to be displayed permanently at the Center for Association Leadership and the Boys and Girls Clubs Eastern Branch, where they remain today.

Center for Association Leadership Launch
As the public relations agency for the Greater Washington Society of Association Executives (GWSAE), Association Vision played a key role in branding the Center for Association Leadership when it was launched as an affiliated organization of GWSAE in 2001. We consulted with GWSAE leaders on how to position the organization as a boundaryless organization that would serve constituents beyond the Washington, DC region where GWSAE operated. We generated a steady drumbeat of press coverage for an entire year leading up to the launch of the Center in November 2001. Front-page coverage of the Center was achieved in many trade publications. Association Vision also managed a themeline contest for the Center that attracted more than 300 entries, and facilitated a blue-ribbon panel of VIPs that met to choose the winning Center themeline: “Learn, Lead, Succeed!”

Nation’s Capital Distinguished Speakers Series
Association Vision provided public relations for the prestigious Nation’s Capital Distinguished Speakers Series® at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, for four years. The series was created by the former Greater Washington Society of Association Executives (GWSAE) and is now operated by the Center for Association Leadership. The series features top world leaders in the fields in politics, science, media, sports, and entertainment. Speakers have included George H. Bush, Bill Clinton, a panel of First Ladies, Mikhail Gorbachev, Margaret Thatcher, Christopher Reeve, Tiger and Earl Woods, Bill Cosby, Oprah Winfrey, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Stephen Hawking, and dozens of others. Association Vision generated nationwide media coverage for these speakers on ABC, NBC, CNN, C-SPAN, National Public Radio, AP TV/Radio/Print newswire services, Reuters newswire service, The Washington Post, and many other media.

IARW-WFLO Public Relations
The International Association of Refrigerated Warehouses (IARW) represents a critical distribution supply chain service for the food and pharmaceutical industries. Association Vision provides complete outsourced communication services, functioning as an external communications department. We consult a range of communication and marketing issues and recently conducted a full-day messaging workshop with the staff of IARW and the affiliated World Food Logistics Organization. The day posed critical strategic questions and achieved consensus on organizational audiences, messages, and public relations strategies and tactics. Association Vision has also generated many articles in trade press for IARW and WFLO, including a major feature story in Quick Frozen Foods International magazine. Association Vision also publishes the IARW Cold Facts newsletter, providing complete editorial, design, layout, advertising sales, production, and printing services.

DRI International Public Relations and Speaking Engagements
DRI International, the world’s leading authority on business continuity training and certification, contracted with Association Vision as its public relations agency. We generated numerous media placements in business and trade publications, including feature articles in the NACS Magazine, Security Magazine, Washington Business Journal, Washington Technology magazine, The Synergist, Association Trends, and others. Association Vision also wrote a regular DRI International column for Continuity Insights magazine. Association Vision President Al Rickard also launched and hosted a monthly radio program called “Business Continuity Mattters” that aired on WMET-AM 1160 and was posted online for on-demand viewing on the DRI International Web site. We also landed a keynote speaking engagement for the DRI International Chairman at the American Industrial Hygiene Conference & Exposition, where he spoke to more than 2,000 industrial hygienists, an important target audience for business continuity professionals. Association Vision also arranged several other speaking engagements for the DRI International Executive Director.

PCMA Public Relations
Association Vision was retained by the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) to generate publicity in the meetings trade press. We placed approximately 350 articles during a one-year contract, including handling media relations during a CEO transition, the PCMA Annual Meeting, and the PCMA Education Foundation Dinner.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington Publicity
Association Vision President Al Rickard served as a volunteer member of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington (BGCGW) Marketing Committee and helped BGCGW gain media coverage for its role in the “Party Animals” community art campaign. Association Vision generated live coverage of children painting the donkey and elephant sculptures on Fox 5 Morning News, plus other broadcast coverage on WRC-TV Channel 4, News Channel 8, and WTOP Radio. Photos of the children at work were also featured in prominent photographs in The Washington Post and Roll Call newspapers. We also worked with BGCGW to create a “Hospitality Olympics” special event at the Westfields Marriott, which was featured in a television news report on News Channel 8. Association Vision also worked on public relations for the merger of the Metropolitan Boys & Girls Clubs into BGCGW. The celebration event for the merger generated coverage in The Washington Post and on local broadcast media.

ConventionPlanit.com Publicity and Partnership Building
Association Vision President Al Rickard serves as the communication director for ConventionPlanit.com, a meetings industry Web portal that offers instant online searches for destinations and facilities, service providers, industry organizations, and other resources. Dozens of media placements include a major article in Meeting News and a front-page photo in USAE newspaper. Rickard has also helped ConventionPlanit.com partner with trade media such as MeetingsRadio.com and several meetings industry organizations. We also arranged for ConventionPlanit.com Co-Founder Katherine Markham to host a regular segment entitled “Your Meeting Matters” on the Association Nation radio program.

MCT Federal Credit Union Public Relations
Association Vision provides ongoing public relations services to MCT Federal Credit Union, one of the largest financial institutions in Montgomery County, Maryland. The organization is deeply committed to serving the community and providing educational opportunities for young people. We publicize activities in these areas, including MCT involvement in and sponsorship of Academy of Finance programs in the public schools, the opening and operation of in-school credit union branches, a job shadow day for students, scholarships, internships, and a partnership with a local food center. Association Vision generated television coverage of two recent in-school branch openings on NBC Channel 4 News and Fox 5 News in the Washington, DC market, plus a feature story in the Credit Union Times about the entire range of community benefit programs offered by MCT and the state award the organization received for its school programs.

Association Internet Radio Network Publicity
The Association Internet Radio Network recruited Association Vision President Al Rickard to be one of the hosts on the network’s premier radio program, Association Nation, which aired weekly for one year on WMET-AM 1160 in the Washington, DC market and was streamed on the Internet. In addition to this role, Association Vision generated publicity for the program and the network in the association trade media. Association Vision also launched radio programs for ACP International and DRI International (both clients of our company) that aired for one year on WMET-AM 1160 and were also streamed on the Internet through the client Web sites.

The Wiley Group Publicity and Speaking Engagements
Association Vision was retained by The Wiley Group to generate publicity and speaking engagements for speaker Steve Wiley in the association and meetings market. We placed several articles in the media, including a major feature story in the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International Marketing Review magazine. Other articles that Association Vision wrote with his byline appeared in Executive Update, Association Trends, and the NACS Magazine. We also arranged several major speaking engagements for Wiley with organizations representing meeting professionals, the customer base for The Wiley Group.

Ahh Hah! Discovery Tools Public Relations
Association Vision was hired by Ahh Hah! Discovery Tools to gain exposure for a new CD product designed for meeting professionals. We generated several media placements, including a major story in Meeting News.

Public Relations Special Events

CCR Congressional Briefing
Association Vision planned a Congressional Briefing in the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill for the Council for Chemical Research (CCR) that drew more than 80 members of Congress, regulatory executives, academicians, media representatives, and CCR members. The event was used to unveil a landmark study that quantified the value of research and development in the chemical industry. The briefing educated multiple audiences and the study was featured in Business Week.

Al-Anon Capitol Hill Luncheon
To highlight National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month, Association Vision created a “Families in Recovery” Luncheon for Al-Anon Family Groups held in the Russell Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill hosted by Senator Paul Wellstone and Representative Jim Ramstad. Officials from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the Office of National Drug Control Policy were among the featured speakers, and the 100 people who attended represented Congressional committees, a wide range of associations active in the alcohol, drug, and addiction field, and the media.

Westfields Marriott “Hospitality Olympics”
Association Vision created the Hospitality Olympics as a special event for the Westfields Marriott in Chantilly, Virginia. It was designed to demonstrate the hotel’s commitment to community service and provide a fun and educational experience for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington. More than 100 children made up five teams that competed in Olympic events including the luggage pull, tray toting, ad drawing, cake decorating, and towel folding. The event generated a television report on News Channel 8 in Washington, DC and extensive newspaper coverage.

Publishing

NACS Magazine Launch
The National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) hired Association Vision to evaluate its concept for launching a new magazine. The vision for the new publication was to enhance the NACS brand in the market and create a new editorial vehicle to fill an identified niche for industry issues analysis and information delivery. Association Vision analyzed the trade press market in the industry, wrote a business plan for the new magazine, presented the concept to the NACS Board of Directors, and launched The NACS Magazine in 2001. Click here to see the cover and sample inside pages. The magazine won the 2002 Association Trends Publications Contest for Best Trade Association Magazine. It also generated nearly $1 million in advertising revenue in its first year. A feature story about the launch appeared in Association Publishing magazine. Association Vision also wrote creative marketing copy for the NACS Magazine portion of a comprehensive NACS Media Kit that promoted advertising, exhibiting, and online advertising opportunities.

PMMI Magazine Feasibility Study
When the Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute (PMMI) was considering launching a magazine to reach the customers of its members, it hired Association Vision to conduct a magazine feasibility study. We examined the competitive trade magazine market in the packaging industry and attended the PMMI Pack Expo trade show to conduct surveys of potential readers (trade show attendees) and PMMI member companies (exhibitors and potential advertisers). We compiled and analyzed the results and delivered magazine launch recommendations, including a cost estimate and projected advertising rates and revenue, in a 40-page study report. PMMI subsequently launched Packaging Machinery Technology magazine, which has enjoyed strong success.

Better Sleep Council Magazine Launch
Most association magazines are aimed primarily at member audiences. But the Better Sleep Council (BSC) had a broader vision. As the public relations foundation of the International Sleep Products Association (ISPA), BSC saw a much-needed opportunity to launch a magazine to educate the customers of sleep products manufacturers – the sleep products retailers. Association Vision was contracted to analyze industry research on the concept, assess the trade press market in the industry, write a business plan for the new magazine, and present the concept to the BSC Board of Directors. Following a successful presentation, Association Vision launched Sleep Savvy magazine, which achieved quick success with a unique market position, the support of ISPA members, and $500,000 in advertising revenue in its first year. Click here to see the cover and sample inside pages. An article about the launch appeared in Executive Update magazine. Association Vision also wrote creative marketing copy for the Sleep Savvy Media Kit that promoted advertising opportunities.

IARW Newsletter Publishing
The International Association of Refrigerated Warehouses (IARW) represents a critical distribution supply chain service for the food and pharmaceutical industries. Association Vision provides complete outsourced communication services, functioning as an external communications department. Association Vision publishes the IARW Cold Facts newsletter, providing complete editorial, design, layout, advertising sales, production, and printing services. We also provide a range of public relations services to IARW.

ABA Staff Restructuring
Association Vision consulted with the American Bus Association (ABA) following the departure of a key staff person and restructured its magazine advertising staff. We wrote new position descriptions, conducted an executive search for a new advertising director, restructured sales territories, and identified a new advertising salesperson to represent one region. Association Vision also managed the advertising sales function for several months during the restructuring and search process.

Executive Update CEO Profiles
Association Vision President Al Rickard wrote several major feature stories for Executive Update, the magazine of the former Greater Washington Society of Association Executives that merged with the American Society of Association Executives magazine to become Associations Now. Rickard profiled business guru Tom Peters plus several association CEOs, including two who won the Association Trends Executive of the Year Award. Profiled executives included Steve Anderson of the National Restaurant Association, Neil Offen of the Direct Selling Association, Fred Spahr of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Mark Golden of the National Court Reporters Association, and Bill Norman of the Travel Industry Association of America.

SESMA Membership Directory
When the Special Event Sites Marketing Alliance (SESMA) was formed as a new association in 2002, it turned to Association Vision to help with initial publicity efforts and to develop and publish its first membership directory. We analyzed publishing options, developed the format, wrote much of the copy, sold advertising, and worked closely with the designer to produce a top-quality directory. The release of the directory was also covered in USAE newspaper.

SSA Membership Directory
Association Vision published the Self Storage Association (SSA) Membership Directory for three years, including complete editorial, advertising, production, and printing services plus a personalization feature that printed the name of each member on their personal copy of the directory. We also conducted a communication audit for SSA.

SFA Publishing Consulting
The Snack Food Association (SFA) hired Association Vision to advise the association on its external publishing partnership, develop enhanced features for its monthly insert in a food industry trade magazine, and provide editing services. Association Vision President Al Rickard previously served as SFA Vice President of Communications and Editor of Snack World magazine for seven years.

Communication Audits

AIHA Communication Audit
Association Vision conducted a comprehensive communication audit for the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) as the first step in an ongoing public relations program that is now in its third year. AIHA wanted to assess how well it was communicating to its audiences and establish a baseline for the upcoming public relations program. We surveyed members and volunteer leaders, analyzed major issues facing the industry, examined how AIHA was responding, reviewed how it framed messages, and analyzed other aspects of the communications program. The recommendations issued by Association Vision are now being carried out through our program, resulting in increased visibility and influence for AIHA.

ASPS Public Relations Audit
While most associations work hard to generate media interest, the American Society for Plastic Surgery (ASPS) had nearly the opposite problem – it attracted so much media attention that it was difficult to manage the workload, deliver consistent messages, track results, and prioritize several ongoing communications campaigns. Opportunities to make stronger public affairs connections were also not maximized. ASPS hired Association Vision to conduct a comprehensive audit that included survey interviews with key volunteer leaders and staff and analysis of existing communication programs, staff responsibilities, and workflow. We provided recommendations that honed organizational messages, strengthened connections in the public affairs arena, streamlined the handling of media contacts, refocused some campaigns and phased out others, and developed new program ideas.

SSA Strategic Communications Analysis
Association Vision was retained to conduct a comprehensive strategic communications analysis focused on publishing options for the Self Storage Association (SSA). SSA faced a challenging situation that included a restrictive contract with an external publisher and the lack of its own major communication vehicle. We assessed the existing publishing contract, analyzed the external communications market and competition, identified potential strategic alliances, and proposed a new set of communication vehicles. The result was more effective communication to members through the launch of a successful newsletter and an increase in advertising revenue from this and other communication vehicles.

ABIH Communication and Marketing Audit
The American Board of Industrial Hygiene (ABIH) engaged Association Vision to conduct a comprehensive audit of its public relations and marketing program. Many ideas in these areas had been proposed by volunteer leaders, but few had come to fruition due to a lack of focus and available resources. We assessed these ideas, interviewed volunteer leaders, examined strategic relationships ABIH had with other organizations in its profession, and proposed a set of communication and marketing strategies and tactics. ABIH is now pursuing some of these new programs to build its visibility.

NUCA Publishing Audit
Association Vision conducted a comprehensive publishing audit of the National Utility Contractors Association (NUCA) Utility Contractor magazine, including editorial content, advertising, circulation, production, staffing, online publishing, and finances. The recommendations we provided helped NUCA streamline its editorial review and production process and make other improvements to the magazine.

Marketing

AIHA Multimedia Presentations
As part of its ongoing work for the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), Association Vision produced two videos and a Powerpoint presentation that earned rave reviews from AIHA staff and members. One video and accompanying Powerpoint presentation targets college students, profiling the profession of industrial hygiene and the critical role it plays in protecting the health and safety of workers and the public. The other video promotes the American Industrial Hygiene Conference & Expo to potential exhibitors.

AMT Strategic Marketing Plan
Association Vision was engaged to conduct an in-depth assessment of marketing efforts for a range of meetings held by the Association for Manufacturing Technologies (AMT). We analyzed the entire program, interviewed staff executives responsible for each meeting, and developed a strategic marketing plan that repositioned these meetings for added value and increased member participation. The plan also included specific recommendations for tactics to implement the strategy, plus creative promotional copy to use.

FPA Annual Meeting Brochure
The Food Products Association (formerly the National Food Processors Association when this project occurred) hired Association Vision to create a promotional brochure for its revamped Annual Meeting. Association Vision President Al Rickard had developed the new format, strategy, and market positioning for the meeting the previous year, when he was NFPA Senior Vice President for Member Services & Marketing. Association Vision developed the “Take Stock in NFPA” theme because we wanted to communicate that members are essentially “stockholders” in NFPA and have a vested interest in participating in the meeting. Since many members were CEOs and senior executives at large, publicly traded food corporations, this is terminology and imagery that connected with them. The brochure succeeded in attracting a large contingent of members and the revamped meeting earned accolades from many NFPA leaders and members for its new focus and format.

AASLD Membership Brochure
Association Vision was engaged by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) to produce a recruitment brochure to promote an expanded membership structure that includes new categories. AASLD later reported that the membership campaign featuring the new brochure had set new records for association membership.

TIA Web Site Promotional Toolkit
The Travel Industry Association of America (TIA) contracted with Association Vision to develop a Web-based promotional toolkit to promote the 2003 National Tourism Week, held in conjunction with National Preservation Week, sponsored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. We also developed the script for a TIA multimedia presentation designed to effectively demonstrate the powerful economic impact of travel and tourism on every community across the country.

Interim Communication Services

BOMA Public Relations and Publishing Services
Association Vision was engaged to provide interim communication services for the Building Owners & Managers Association International (BOMA) for three months while the communication director was out on maternity leave. We published the BOMA.org magazine, including complete editorial services, design coordination, and interface with an outside publishing company that handled advertising sales, production, and printing. Association Vision also wrote articles for external trade publications, provided speechwriting services, and created PowerPoint presentations.

ICPA Magazine Publishing
The International Cast Polymer Association (ICPA) retained Association Vision to provide complete magazine publishing services on a four-month interim basis for its bimonthly magazine, the Cast Polymer Connection. Responsibilities included content development, writing and editing, advertising management, and design coordination.

IAFF Editorial Services
The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) hired Association Vision to provide editorial services for its Fire Fighter magazine, newsletter, and online news service for three months while a senior editor was out on maternity leave. We researched and wrote numerous articles, including major feature stories, for all three of these communication outlets.