Professional status attainment is hard to attain and some societies are still debating as to whether they are a society for professionals vs. Users.
Professional development provides bulk of revenues.
Recruitment and retention of younger professional is the hardest issue to deal with. All this paid off last year when the ACS was admitted into the Australian Council of professions. We have regained the lost members and are driving forward in member numbers. Has given ACS a higher profile in industries and Governments eyes and these relationships are now much enhanced. For a number of years the relationships with the academic community has been less than optimal and a significant effort is currently been made to address a number of Academic concerns.