In this issue
Launching 2026 with Purpose: How GMP Is Strengthening Support for Our Clients
As we begin 2026, we want to share our gratitude for your partnership and reaffirm our commitment to advancing the missions of each organization we serve. This year, our strategic focus is clear and purposeful: Mobilize, Simplify, and Elevate. These three pillars guide our work internally so that we can deliver even greater value, clarity, and impact to your Boards, members, and stakeholders.
- Mobilize: Strengthening Accountability and Alignment: GMP is investing in tools and education that ensure every GMP team member has the clarity, autonomy, and support needed to serve your association effectively. The outcome—more empowered, better‑aligned teams providing faster support, clearer communication, and service that is consistently grounded in industry best practices.
- Simplify: Reducing Complexity to Increase Efficiency: GMP is accelerating efforts to simplify internal systems so our teams can devote more time and energy to client goals.
The outcome—cleaner processes and smart use of technology leading to faster turnaround, improved accuracy, and more strategic bandwidth dedicated to the initiatives that matter most to your organization. - Elevate: Enhancing Capability and Professional Growth: GMP is doubling down on professional development to ensure our teams—and therefore your organizations—benefit from advanced skills and expertise. The outcome—higher‑quality strategic guidance, smoother operations, and more proactive leadership on your behalf.
GMP’s mission remains steadfast: to empower our partners to thrive, grow, and advance their missions. In 2026, Mobilize, Simplify, and Elevate will not just guide our internal work—they will directly enhance the experience, efficiency, and outcomes we deliver to you.
Thank you for trusting us with your organization’s success. We look forward to another year of meaningful progress together.
Warmly,
JoAnn & Janel
Partners/Owners, Global Management Partners
GMP Welcomes New Partner—cureCADASIL
GMP proudly welcomed cureCADASIL to our client family in January. Originally founded in 2012 as the CADASIL Association and rebranded in 2014 as cureCADASIL, this not‑for‑profit organization represents a community united in its commitment to finding a cure for CADASIL and improving the quality of life for those affected by this rare genetic disease. The Board of Trustees is composed of dedicated volunteers—including patients, family members, and others impacted by CADASIL—who bring a diverse range of knowledge, experience, and passion to the mission.
GMP will be providing administrative and operational management support, including coordination of the organization’s annual Patient Investigator Meeting.
To learn more about the important work of cureCADASIL, please visit www.curecadasil.org.
Top Challenges Facing Associations in 2025: What Boards Need to Know
The American Society of Association Executives’ (ASAE) most recent Insight Update highlights the issues most pressing for association executives—and they align closely with what Boards must prioritize in the year ahead. According to ASAE’s Pulse Poll, membership retention and engagement remain the top challenge, identified by nearly one‑third of respondents (31.9%). Revenue diversification follows as the second‑highest concern (18.9%), reflecting widespread pressure to rethink traditional business models. The only major external factor breaking into the top challenges is the domestic political environment, cited by 9.8% of respondents.
For Boards, this reinforces the importance of supporting leadership in strengthening member value, exploring new revenue approaches, and preparing the organization for ongoing uncertainty. Many associations are already testing new membership categories, refining engagement strategies, and building more robust data‑informed planning practices—all areas where boards can play a strategic, forward‑looking role.
GMP Launches Board Micro Learning Series for 2026: Bite Sized Governance Insights for Busy Leaders
In 2026, GMP is elevating Board education with the launch of a new micro‑learning series designed specifically for volunteer leaders who want practical, high‑impact guidance in a short amount of time. Built to meet the needs of today’s fast‑moving Boards, this series will deliver brief podcasts and short-form recordings that make it easier than ever for Boards to operate more efficiently, communicate more effectively, and govern with greater confidence.
Topics are focused on core governance principles and modern best practices—such as clarifying Board roles, strengthening strategic thinking, improving decision‑making, and fostering effective relationships—all in segments that take just a few minutes to watch or listen to. By adopting this micro‑learning model, GMP ensures that busy volunteer leaders stay informed, confident, and aligned with modern governance expectations. It’s an accessible way for Boards to continue strengthening their performance all year long.
Watch for the first in the Board Micro-Learning Series coming in February 2026.
AMCs Deliver Strategic Focus, Buying Power, and Scalable Staffing Solutions Unlocking New Revenue Streams for Associations
For Boards seeking to maximize organizational impact, the AMC Institute highlights several core advantages of partnering with an Association Management Company. AMCs provide tailored solutions across strategy, operations, marketing, events, and membership—allowing Boards and volunteer leaders to stay focused on mission‑level work. Their enhanced buying power, derived from multi‑client scale, reduces service fees, improves negotiating leverage, and creates measurable cost savings for associations. AMCs also help organizations address workforce challenges through right‑sized staffing, offering the expertise needed at the exact moment it’s required. [asaecenter.org]
Our clients can take pride in knowing they made the right decision by choosing this proven management model. By partnering with GMP, they are already benefitting from deeper strategic support, stronger operational efficiency, and access to specialized talent that would be difficult or costly to build internally. The AMC model positions them to be more agile, more financially resilient, and better equipped to deliver consistent value to their members—especially in a rapidly changing landscape.
As the AMC Institute’s resources and industry research show, associations under AMC management consistently report stronger alignment, improved resource utilization, and more innovative problem‑solving. Our clients are living proof of these advantages, and their continued growth demonstrates how powerful this model can be when paired with engaged leadership and a forward‑thinking board.
2026 Meetings & Events Trends and Forecast
The meetings and events industry enters 2026 with its highest optimism in five years. Budgets are increasing, yet rising costs and economic uncertainty remain top concerns. Planners are blending classic cost‑saving measures with new strategies such as virtual components, sponsorship funding, and scaled‑down programming. A key shift for 2026 is the focus on purposeful, outcome-driven experiences. Attendees now prioritize learning, connection, and real value—yet a significant perception gap remains between what planners believe they deliver and what attendees actually experience. Personalization, interactivity, sustainability, and convenient locations rank as top attendee expectations.
AI is becoming an everyday planning tool, helping generate content, track engagement, and support data‑driven decisions. Meanwhile, sustainability has moved from a trend to a core expectation, with planners integrating waste reduction, responsible sourcing, and transparent reporting into their event design.
Finally, planners are balancing ROI and ROE (Return on Experience)—recognizing that measurable business outcomes and meaningful attendee experiences must work together for long‑term success.
Key Takeaways for 2026:
- Design with purpose: Every touchpoint should create meaningful value.
- Validate assumptions: Close the gap between planner intent and attendee reality.
- Leverage technology thoughtfully: Let AI enhance decisions, not dilute human insight.
- Center connection and inclusion: Experiences that resonate drive loyalty.
- Spend with intention: Prioritize impact over tradition.
- Stay flexible: Adapt to evolving formats, costs, and expectations.
Read the full article for detailed insights and trends.
Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter. We look forward to continuing our journey together and achieving new heights of success. Please do not hesitate to connect with us at janel@gmpartners.org or joann@gmpartners.org.