Association Headquarters

Case Studies

This collection of case studies outlines how AH helped several client partners meet real-world challenges.

From a Stand-alone to an AMC
In late 2003, board members of the National Automotive Radiator Service Association (now the International Heat Transfer Association), Philadelphia, voted to move management of NARSA to an AMC. This difficult decision was made against the backdrop of NARSA’s long, esteemed history of serving a once-thriving segment of the automotive aftermarket service industry, and also affected a stand-alone staff of seven with a combined term of service close to 90 years. Many current and past board leaders had forged strong and lasting bonds with the association’s staff. But times are challenging. The repair of automotive radiators is fast becoming a dying art, with skilled radiator benchmen being replaced by parts changers. Repair is quickly fading in favor of the complete boxed radiator. While there are still plenty of opportunities in the repair and servicing of heavy-duty and industrial heat exchangers (radiators and air-conditioning components on heavy trucks, construction equipment, buses, etc.), the automotive radiator repair business is quickly going the way of the buggy whip. Read More

Supporting Local Chapters
When Association Headquarters took over management of the Product Development and Management Association (PDMA), it was entrusted with the goal of growing association membership. PDMA is the foremost global advocate for product development and management professionals and is composed primarily of in-house and product development consultants as well as academic and student members. Members join PDMA primarily to share knowledge of best practices, access educational programs and network. This is achieved for the most part through local chapters. Although the association has always maintained an active network of local chapters across the country, the chapters were previously plagued by inconsistent financial and operational practices, in addition to a lack of resources and support. To remedy these issues and help grow the membership further, AH recognized the need for a dedicated staff person to assist chapter leaders and standardize chapter operations. Read More

Awareness Campaign
When Association Headquarters conducted a membership survey for the American Society of Transplantation, results showed the Society had a very broad and diverse group of members from around the globe; however, nonmembers did not realize that. The Society, which is dedicated to advancing the field of transplantation through the promotion of research, education, advocacy, and organ donation to improve patient care, had been founded 25 years ago to represent transplant physicians and surgeons. Since that time, membership had been expanded to include nurses, pharmacists, researchers, and transplant coordinators, but the perception that membership was limited kept many of the world’s eligible transplant professionals from joining the society. To combat this view, Association Headquarters’ launched a campaign through its strategic marketing partner to show the many faces of AST members. Read More