The Global Association Research Initiative (GARI) is where the world’s association leaders come together to figure out what’s really driving change.
Run every two years, GARI maps how associations are evolving, what’s working, what’s not, and what’s next. It connects data, stories, and strategy to show how the sector is shifting and where opportunity lies. Created and powered by Answers for Associations, the project is led by Belinda Moore and fueled by networks worldwide. Together, we’re turning insight into action, helping leaders make smarter moves, adapt faster, and build stronger communities that actually last.
Every voice counts. Each round of research builds on the last, creating a global knowledge base that grows richer with every cycle. Participants gain exclusive access to the full digital report and invite-only briefings, designed to turn findings into practical steps forward. Because when associations level up, entire industries rise with them.
Download the 2025 Global Report
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Key Themes from 2025
The Research🧑💼
Technology🔌
AI🤖
Strategy🧠
Across 30 countries, 586 professionals, painted a clear picture that we are no longer navigating changes - we are leading through them. The 2025 Global Association Research Initiative reveals where the pressure points are, where the opportunities lie and what it will take association leaders to turn intent into impact in 2025 and beyond. We identified 11 areas that need our immediate attention.
Technology isn’t the barrier — implementation is. 72% of leaders say adopting and integrating technology is a major hurdle, largely due to outdated fragmented systems, outsourced infrastructure, and under-resourced teams. Until technology is treated as a strategic enabler — backed by training, change management, and proper integration — it will remain a source of frustration, not progress.
AI is rapidly becoming the litmus test for future-ready leadership. While 92% of associations see potential value, most are still dabbling without a clear framework or capability roadmap. The next phase will be about implementation. Leaders must move from curiosity to confident adoption if they want to stay relevant in an AI-powered world. We should already expect AI-powered experiences everywhere.
Associations are no longer adjusting to change — they’re organising inside it. The most successful organisations are those that integrate strategy as a mindset, shifting from reactive firefighting to proactive strategy execution. This means building flexible systems, empowering courageous leadership, and ensuring strategy is a practical tool — not a poster on the wall.
Engagement🙋
Volunteers🤝
People🧑🤝🧑
Events🎫
Engagement is no longer about activity — it’s about emotional connection, personal relevance, and perceived value. With 85% citing engagement as a top concern, associations need to develop both strategic alignment and design thinking to create meaningful interaction, and from there benefit from curated experiences that drive loyalty.
Volunteers are still showing up — often giving 40+ hours a month — but associations aren’t measuring their engagement as rigorously as members. As expectations rise on both sides, volunteer experience cannot be missed opportunity. Leaders must treat volunteers as peer-driven partners, not unpaid labour.
Your team is likely your greatest risk and your greatest asset right now. Many associations are running on an unsustainable model of people power, with gaps in resourcing and role definition. Resourcing gaps, burnout, and retention struggles are cited as top concerns. Those who address this will see strategy come to life.
Events are still the heartbeat of many associations — and they’re here to stay. 78% see events as increasingly hard to deliver well, citing rising costs and member time constraints as significant barriers. The future of events isn’t about more — it’s about doing them smarter and with intent. Events must align with purpose, not just annual rituals.
Vendors🏢
Revenue💰
Upskilling📈
Consultants🧑💼
The best vendors want to be more than service providers — they want to create value. But slow decision-making, vague briefs, and budget constraints are limiting that collaboration. The best partnerships are built on clarity and shared vision — not just what’s on the table.
The funding mix is a dangerous loop — trying to diversify with one revenue stream replacing another. With 84% seeking more commercial activity, association leaders must first fix the fundamentals before experimenting. Growth doesn’t come from doing more — it comes from doing the fundamentals better.
Everyone agrees capacity matters — yet professional development keeps getting deprioritised. Many associations invest in leadership development programs but stop there. True growth comes when investment reaches the people implementing the strategy, so it never makes it off the page.
Consulting is booming, with one in four already working in the association world. Associations are increasingly turning to consultants for their strategy and capacity gaps — but the challenge is choosing wisely. Poorly fit, low results, or no results mean partners that earn the seat — or risk paying for advice that can’t be actioned.
Download the 2025 Global Report
None of this happens alone. GARI exists because of a community of partners who believe in data, collaboration, and progress. They help amplify the research, expand participation, and turn insight into impact — ensuring the findings reflect the diversity and depth of the global association community. We’re deeply grateful to every organisation that’s championed GARI through their networks and made this project possible.