About the Report
Associations are operating in environments shaped by accelerating change, evolving member expectations, emerging technologies, and increasing pressure to demonstrate relevance and value.
Commissioned by the ASAE Research Foundation and conducted in partnership with Radius Insights, the Association Innovation Impact Study provides a data-driven look at how members experience innovation and social innovation in associations today—and how those experiences influence loyalty, recommendation, engagement, and long-term member value.
This report explores the organizational behaviors, member experiences, and strategic practices most closely associated with innovative associations. Findings show that members are most likely to recognize innovation when it creates visible, practical value through learning, connection, responsiveness, participation, accessibility, and professional support.
Designed for association leaders and decision-makers, the report provides practical insight into how associations can strengthen relevance, deepen member relationships, and create value in rapidly changing environments.
What’s Included
- Insights from association members across professional and trade associations
- Analysis of how innovation influences loyalty, recommendation, and engagement
- Findings on the organizational behaviors most associated with innovative associations
- Research on social innovation, emotional connection, and member experience
- Benchmarking across innovation and social innovation tiers
- Strategic implications for association leaders and organizations
Best For
- Association CEOs and senior leaders
- Strategy and innovation teams
- Membership and engagement professionals
- Learning and professional development leaders
- Communications and marketing teams
- Boards and volunteer leaders
Copyright: © 2026
Author: ASAE Research Foundation
Product Type: PDF (N pages)
Publication Date: May 27, 2026
