Associations' unique role in the democratic process has led to the misperception that we are primarily lobbyists. Americans continue to learn after they leave school through their associations. Thanks to associations, America's work force remains competitive and skilled in the latest techniques, trends, and technologies. Associations preserve America's sense of community. Members pool their talents and resources to help the needy, provide disaster relief, mentor youth, clean up the environment, and more.
Associations are economic engines that fuel America's prosperity.
Associations pump billions of dollars into the economy and create hundreds of thousands of good jobs. Our meetings and conventions generate billions more in revenue for cities. This research was conducted in 1998 for the Foundation of the American Society of Association Executives by Public Opinion Strategies and Greenberg Quinlan Research. Most of the economic data is based on 1996 association spending and all projections are based only on the activities of the 8,662 organizations from which the sample was drawn, making the projections conservative for the entire universe of associations in the United States, which number well over 135,000. Copyright 2001 American Society of Association Executives.