Stronger Together

SIIA, the parent organization behind AM&P, Connectiv and SIPA, is excited to announce the upcoming launch of a new, consolidated membership division representing specialized information providers in business and association publishing. This new division is designed to bring greater value to your membership while retaining the high-quality programming, content and networking opportunities that you enjoy. We are confident this new streamlined, consolidated division will be the premier membership organization for the specialized publishing, content and media communities, as we convene, develop, educate and advocate for current and emerging leaders of an industry undergoing rapid and continuous change. 

FAQs

Why are these organizations merging? 

The merger was decided after careful consideration over many months. Since last December, volunteer leaders of all three organizations have been meeting to discuss the strategic, financial, and operational benefits of enhanced alignment.  The SIIA board ultimately voted to restructure the association as part of FY21 budget process. This included approving the elimination of two divisions and the merger of the three publishing, media, and content divisions. The three divisions are being folded together for the following core reasons:

• STRATEGIC: Programming is strong and will be preserved in the FY21 budget year. However, there is a unique opportunity to re-set the value proposition and branding. Each group faces many similar challenges – from searching for new revenue channels to dealing with ever-changing technology to deepening engagement with core audiences. Consolidation will provide value to each group’s members by helping them learn from and network among a larger base of experiences. The new org will be well positioned to help address the shared opportunities and challenges facing the contemporary publishing and events industry, particularly B2B information. One Strategy, One Organization will poise the group for growth after years of decline.
  
  
• OPERATIONAL: Member dues across the three organizations are misaligned vis a vis the value provided.  There are many member and service synergies across the three groups that have only begun to be realized.  The deployment of separate marketing efforts to support three separate brands is unsustainable at a time of constrained resources.
  
  
• FINANCIAL: Each of the three organizations sought refuge with SIIA several years ago amidst financial struggles.  However, back office synergies were never fully realized under SIIA ownership, and the financial condition of the three groups has dramatically weakened with the pandemic. The merger will produce savings primarily by eliminating duplication in staff and selected other costs and better positions the divisions to weather the pandemic storm

What are the benefits of the merged organization to me and my company?

In addition to the regular content, networking and events on topics and trends vital to your community, your company can leverage (1) enhanced networking across a broader base of industry professionals; (2) additional content specific to marketing and technology investments and operations; (3) heightened access to the SIIA’s authoritative public policy work, of particular note in the data privacy arena; (4) new ways to develop and reward your organization’s emerging leaders.  Consolidation also allows us to provide more strategic sponsorships for our events, creating enhanced and expanded opportunities for you and your company to interact with a greater array of potential partners, service providers, and customers. We welcome your participation in August’s survey research on the offerings you value and need most.

Who will run the organization? 

Following our One Strategy, One Organization approach, we will merge leadership roles, with a new managing director to be named after we finalize the governance structure, full value proposition, and offerings. The new division will include staff responsible for running networking and communities of interest. The SIIA Marketing team will run point on messaging and membership growth for the combined operation.

Will my association's name change?

YES. SIIA is conducting research this month (August) that will inform branding and messaging for the combined organization, as well as potential new offerings. We expect to consult with the group’s combined advisory board leaders and announce the organization’s name in September.

How is the new entity different from SIIA?

SIIA remains a 501c(6) that operates as an umbrella organization for several divisions/membership entities serving information services organizations. SIIA’s mission is: To advance and serve the business and policy interests of the companies and professionals powering the global information economy by providing the resources, knowledge, networking, and advocacy that are essential to success. 

Your SIPA, Connectiv or AM&P membership will automatically transfer to the new to-be-named division under SIIA, and you will retain access to many of the SIIA’s high impact programs in other divisions, including vital content and advocacy on your behalf from the Government Affairs division on privacy, intellectual property and data use.

What is the leadership structure for the new association and how does it fit within the SIIA governance structure?

A new Executive Advisory Board will form by September 1, consisting of 8 members from each of the three legacy organizations, selected by their boards for an initial term of 20 months.  The current advisory boards of each of the three organizations will dissolve at that time, and a full charter of the new organization will be posted to members.  Per SIIA bylaws, the Executive Committee of the EAB will also name a representative to the fiduciary board of the full SIIA.

Will programming change? 

NO. All legacy offerings – newsletters, publications events, awards, online forums – continue unchanged  through at least June 2021.  In addition, between now and then, the organization’s new Executive Advisory Board (EAB) will form a series of new councils and committees under the categories of Revenue, Programming and Community. These councils will carefully assess both legacy and future offerings to ensure there is strong programming for various communities of interest (e.g. associations and private equity) as well for as the membership at large, taking care to avoid overlap and duplication. SIIA is committed to providing the programming that members and member companies need to be successful, and we invite members to help these shape offerings by getting involved with relevant councils and committees as they are formed this fall.

Will I have the same opportunities to volunteer and network with my community?

YES. As referenced above, the organization will have a series of volunteer councils and committees across Programming, Community and Revenue and we expect member engagement opportunities will grow further over time. Existing advisory boards and most committees will roll into relevant committees and councils with similar responsibilities under the new division.

Will my company’s dues change? 

NO. With programming still intact through June 2021, dues are budgeted to remain unchanged through this period.  We recognize the substantial impact that COVID has had on businesses, and we will work with organizations who have experienced large layoffs or significant declines in the revenue on which their dues were based.  For new members, a revised value proposition and dues matrix will be communicated and rolled out to renewals beyond June 2021.

Will prices for the conferences, webinars, councils, etc. be the same?

YES. We do not plan dramatic changes at this time to the price/value received for your membership dues.  Standard webinars will be part of your membership fee, and signature events (whether in-person or virtual) will be priced on an incremental basis, depending on the event and its scope.  Your membership would continue to provide you with preferred pricing to these paid events.

Can all members of my company still participate in association benefits? 

At this time, basic membership will remain open to all employees of an organization.

Can individuals join the association on their own (at the individual rather than organizational level)?

The organization will retain the individual memberships for sole proprietors and individual/1099 contractors model, both on the publishing and vendor side for our AM&P members. However, this rate and membership type is not available to individual employees within larger corporate entities. We will explore expanding this offering across the new division as we consolidate.