Association Insight International & European Association Insights Spring 2015 | Page 9

Article | Association Insights

Recognising leaders
The Awards demonstrate the breadth and strength of
quality work going on in associations. Take for example,
Cary Adams’ achievement in positioning the Union for
International Cancer Control as a global thought leader and
launching World Cancer Day.
Or Caroline Staffell’s demonstration of initiative as a young
leader, developing a strategic plan, implementing new
training offerings and membership services resulting in
100% member retention.
Cary Adams said: “I am delighted to receive the prestigious
award of CEO of the Year in 2015, not for my own
achievements, but in recognition of the incredibly talented
and committed UICC Board, team, members and partners
around the world, who collectively address cancer on a
day-to-day basis.”

Conference development
The Awards recognise the wide remit of responsibilities and
challenges that associations take on. Some associations
were rewarded for breaking with tradition and having the
confidence to enforce change. The Federation of European
Self Storage Associations, for example, took a counterintuitive approach to conference development by raising
prices, and making improvements to the quality of speakers
and marketing activities.

Commenting on the win Andrew Mallison, Director
General of the IFFO said: “It was an honour to win
an award against such a wide range of outstanding
entries from other associations. We all work hard to
represent our members, but occasionally a larger
than average challenge comes along – in our case a
threat to our industry at United Nations policy level.
I would like to think our Effective Voice award was
as much about how IFFO responded as it was about
managing to prevent the damaging policy being
introduced. Our thanks to the judges, sponsors and
Associations Network for this honour.”

Taking on a challenge
When it came to the Effective Voice Award, which
celebrates the work of associations towards improving their
profession or sector, the judges said the winning campaign
from the Marine Ingredients Organisation showed that hard
work and focus lead to success.
Technology was a key element of many of the awards.
As well as awards for websites and webcasting, the Best
eLearning Award recognised the use of digital and virtual
information in online education.
And the Best Use of Event Technology Winner: Union
Sociale pour l’Habitat was applauded by the judges who
described the winning app as having evolved over time into
an impressive conference tool. 

Why an Association Awards?

Speaking after the win, Rennie Schafer, CEO of the
Federation of European Self Storage Associations
said: “We are thrilled to have won the Best
Conference Development Award. It is wonderful
recognition for all my team for the work they have
put in to transform our conference. We aim to deliver
a truly world class event with a real focus on quality
and a mix of professional business and industry
speakers. Clearly our delegates appreciate this as the
attendance has almost doubled in two years despite
the fact we increased ticket prices by 20%.”

www.associationsnetwork.org

It is vital to recognise and reward talent and dedication
to improving associations and their offering to
members. There Association Awards raises the profile
of association executives, and give them the recognition
they deserv