Grateful to our industry partners, speakers, members, staff and leadership. #grantscommunity ??
It's been a week since our NGMA Annual Grants Training #AGT2025. In my 25 years in association management, I don't know that I've been a part of an event as important as this one. This year, with so much uncertainly around grants, our members needed us. They needed us to be the calm in the storm. They needed information, connection, perspective and even some joy. We brought it all. It wasn't without challenges. In February, we processed hundreds of cancellations. One-third of our sessions had to be replaced in the five weeks prior to the event. And, yet, we still had a record attendance of over 1900. The keys: Leaning on our industry partners to create panels and sessions on current topics. Focusing on how our community will move through these changes together. Strengthening attendees' networks by adding opportunities for small group discussions. And then there was the Closing Party, which was a just a one-off idea that became...well...epic. I truly am not sure of what I'm proudest. Our tiny NGMA Team who tackled every obstacle. Our incredible speakers and industry partners who said "yes" every time we asked for help and then showed up as stellar contributors. Our members who showed up for themselves and their organizations. As for me, I know that I've never been prouder to be an association manager. Helping people love what they do and feel prepared to do their work is my reason for showing up every day. This meeting encapsulated all of that, and so much more. Photo credit: EPNAC.com
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