About the Author: KiKi L'Italien

I didn’t expect to cry. This was just going to be another meaningful interview for Association Chat. I had read Charles Vogl’s work and already admired his insights into community, connection, and leadership. But when we got into the subject of who shows up when life breaks your heart, I found myself transported. Back to [...]

As associations grapple with an increasingly complex political landscape, two major organizations recently demonstrated starkly different approaches to the impact of executive orders on associations and their members. In the span of just one week in late April 2025, the association community witnessed a compelling study in contrasts. Two prominent professional societies, representing vastly different [...]

49% say no immediate federal impact… but that’s only part of the story. This week, ASAE released a Member Update shedding light on the growing financial strain associations are facing — and it’s worth a pause. With budget pressures rising, policy uncertainties looming, and new AI guidelines being introduced, now is the time to take [...]

We're looking for fresh voices and creative minds for our upcoming May issue of Association Chat Magazine. What we're seeking: Articles featuring innovative perspectives on association management topics (750-1200 words) Creative submissions including poetry, short stories, photography, line drawings, or paintings Advertisers who want to reach thousands of engaged association professionals Our May issue will [...]

Association professionals, we need your insights! Association Chat has partnered with industry experts Dana Freker Doody of Inktide Solutions and Shameka Jennings of EventsNoir on a groundbreaking research initiative exploring outsourcing practices in the association community. Why This Matters: Associations face increasingly complex operational demands with limited resources The pandemic accelerated remote work and distributed [...]

February 26, 2025 As lawmakers consider potential changes to tax policy that could impact nonprofits, new polling data reveals that the American public strongly supports protecting the nonprofit sector and recognizes its crucial role in addressing community needs. According to recent research from Independent Sector, an overwhelming majority of voters believe nonprofits are essential to [...]

How CPAF Successfully Coordinates 35 Sports Across 28 Venues Executive Summary The California Police Athletic Federation (CPAF) manages one of the most logistically complex sporting events in the association space - the United States Police and Fire Championships (USPFC). With 2,700+ athletes competing in 35 sports across 28 venues from Los Angeles to the Mexican [...]

Picture this: A national championship belt, gleaming under arena lights, worn proudly by... a nail-driving champion? If this sounds unexpected, that's exactly the point. In the world of association leadership according to Rick Harris, CEO of the Association of Proposal Management Professionals (APMP), the unexpected is where the magic happens. APMP CEO Rick Harris, [...]

Association Chat’s Question of the Week: Finding Joy in the Small Moments This week, Association Chat’s Question of the Week invites you to reflect on something truly meaningful: What was a happy moment you experienced this past weekend? In a world where challenges often seem to outweigh the good, taking a moment to focus on [...]