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As the worldwide COVID-19 crisis continues, associations are experiencing drastic impacts on their conferences, membership, and operations. These resources are compiled here to help you stay informed on this rapidly evolving situation.

“Aggressive and preventative measures are being taken to protect our individual and collective health. This is an unprecedented situation which requires many of us to adjust our normal practices,” ASAE President and CEO Susan Robertson, CAE, said in a March 13, 2020, statement announcing that ASAE was initiating fully virtual operations. Read her full statement here. 

 

ASAE Announces 2021 ASAE Annual Meeting & Exposition Will Be Virtual With Regional In-Person Events

Due to continued concerns for the health and safety of all members, industry partners, volunteer leaders, staff, and other stakeholders during the COVID-19 pandemic, ASAE announced on March 3, 2021, that the 2021 ASAE Annual Meeting & Exposition will be held virtually, alongside smaller, regional hub meetings that can safely take place in person around the country.

This year’s ASAE Annual Meeting will be held the week of August 16.

Annual Meeting attendees can choose to participate virtually or at regional locations where smaller groups of attendees can meet face-to-face during the meeting. Hub locations have not yet been determined, but it is anticipated that Dallas and other ASAE Alliance Partner destinations will serve as ASAE Annual Meeting hubs in August.

Registration for the reconfigured 2021 ASAE Annual Meeting & Exposition will open May 3 with full details.

“Logistically, a lot of planning goes into every aspect of the meeting to ensure its success and, right now, there are too many variables outside our control that could impact our attendees’ meeting experience,” said ASAE President and CEO Susan Robertson, CAE. “While we’re all eager for a full-bore return to face-to-face meetings, we’re excited to create some options in August for our attendees to access top-level content virtually or reunite with their colleagues and partners in a safe, controllable environment.”

The same external factors have led ASAE to move other major meetings on the events calendar to virtual through the beginning of June, including the 2021 Marketing, Membership & Communications Conference, which will be held June 2-4.

More ASAE Updates: ASAE is constantly evaluating its operations, programs, and services in light of the pandemic and making adjustments as needed.

Read more about the impact of COVID-19 on ASAE operations, in-person programs, and membership renewals.

 

Advocacy Update

Paycheck Protection Program

Thousands of 501(c)(6) nonprofit associations and others can now access the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Read ASAE’s issue brief on the year-end legislation that provides critically needed relief for many in our community.

Since March, ASAE and its members actively urged Congress to expand the PPP—the flagship COVID-19 relief program—to include 501(c)(6) nonprofit associations. Across three sign-on letters in 2020, ASAE joined with 8,700 signatories to urge Congress to provide deserving members of our community PPP access.

On Monday, January 11, 2021, the Small Business Administration (SBA) issued a notice to resume applications for the PPP. Until further notice, however, SBA will initially accept applications only from “participating CFIs, which include Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), Minority Depository Institutions (MDIs), Certified Development Companies (CDCs), and Microloan Intermediaries.”

Regulators also released an interim final rule as guidance for first-time PPP applicants and others. This guidance does not clarify 501(c)(6) eligibility as it relates to “receipts from lobbying” or “lobbying activities.” On December 22, 2020, ASAE delivered a letter to regulators seeking clarification of what these terms mean and how SBA and the Department of the Treasury plan to implement 501(c)(6) eligibility criteria.

Email us with questions and visit SBA.gov/PPP and Treasury.gov/CARES for more information.

Resource: Paycheck Protection Program 2.0: Everything Associations and Other Nonprofits Need to Know

 

Pandemic Risk Insurance

In addition to immediate relief provided through the PPP, ASAE for months has called on Congress to establish a forward-looking insurance program that would cover business interruption and event cancellations due to future public health emergencies.

On July 1, ASAE sent its second of three massive sign-on letters to Congress. More than 2,200 organizations joined ASAE to formally endorse this program, which is outlined in the Pandemic Risk Insurance Act of 2020 , introduced by Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (D-N.Y.).

Robertson also participated in a roundtable event on September 10 to help build support for this important legislation. Hosted by Congresswoman Maloney and joined by industry stakeholders across the economy, the roundtable examined why we need access to this coverage and what is at stake if PRIA does not pass. Susan clearly stated that the “consequences would be fatal” for nonprofit associations and others if PRIA isn’t enacted.

“ASAE called for a PRIA-like package back in March when this crisis first hit and now we are so proud to vigorously support the Pandemic Risk Insurance Act,” Robertson said during the roundtable. “It is essential to the sustainability of associations and so many others during this crisis. For more information and a recording of the event, review Congresswoman Maloney’s press release .

To read more, visit ASAE’s coronavirus advocacy and resources webpage . or email [email protected] with questions.

 

ASAE Research Foundation Impact Surveys

The ASAE Research Foundation continues to study how associations have approached critical decision-making about member, volunteer, staff, and constituent needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Association Impact Snapshot Surveys assess the pandemic’s impact on association business operations, including meetings, nondues revenue, and staff management.  

The foundation conducted two surveys in 2020 and one in early 2021. Key findings have been captured in the following three reports: 

• Association Impact Snapshot February/March 2021: Key Findings Report 
• Association Impact Snapshot May/June 2020: Key Findings Report  
• Association Impact Snapshot March/April 2020: Key Findings Report 

In addition, a Phase 3 Comprehensive Final Report is available for download.  

The foundation plans to conduct additional surveys to continue to track ongoing association response to the crisis. Please reach out to [email protected] if you have questions. 

 

Recorded Webcasts

Note: CAE credits are not awarded for viewing recordings.

 

Collaborate

(Member login required for all Collaborate discussion posts.)

Membership Renewal During COVID

Not Going Back – 100% Virtual

Can We Require Attendees to Be Vaccinated?

Staffing a Hybrid Event: How Does That Work?

How Are You Keeping Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity on Peoples' Minds During COVID-19?

Doing a Live Event With COVID-19 Testing

Re-Opening Offices: Staff Health and Safety

Search for all discussions tagged "#Coronavirus" in the Collaborate search field.

 

Articles

 

 

Other Tools and Resources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: CDC’s resource page includes what you should know about the virus, situation updates, and information for travelers, businesses, and others. CDC has also issued guidance for mass gatherings.

U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs: This COVID-19 emergency notification includes information on travel advisories, presidential proclamations on travel restrictions, and information for U.S. citizens returning from Europe and China.

World Health Organization: WHO has issued a risk assessment and mitigation checklist for mass gatherings, which includes a decision matrix that provides a recommendation on whether an event should be held.

Meetings Mean Business Coalition: MMB's toolkit of coronavirus preparedness and response resources is tailored specifically for meeting and event professionals. It includes talking points, templates, and "fast facts" graphics that can be shared in social media.